Riverside City Council
November 18, 2025

11/6/2025
1 RiversideCA.gov1
RiversideCA.gov2025 TRIENNIAL BUILDING STANDARDS CODE UPDATE:PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT BUILDING AND FIRE ORDINANCES AND A RESOLUTION OF EXPRESS FINDINGS FOR LOCAL AMENDMENTSCity CouncilNovember 18, 2025Community and Economic DevelopmentFire Department RiversideCA.gov2
BACKGROUND1. CA Government Code Section 50022:a) Requires an introduction and first reading of ordinancesb) Proceeded by a Public Hearing to consider adoption2. On October 21, 2025, City Council introduced the proposed ordinances and directed staff to set a public hearing for November 18, 2025, to ensure ordinances take effect on January 1, 2026.Adopting Codes by Reference 1 2
11/6/2025
2 RiversideCA.gov3
BACKGROUND - CONTINUED1. Building Standards Commissionadopts new codes based on national“model” codes every 3 years2. CA Code of Regulations, Title 24 – the“California Building Standards Code”has 13 parts including Building, Firecodes, and various others3. Enforced through local and state agencies (HCD, OSHPD, SFM, etc.)California Building Standards Code RiversideCA.gov4
BACKGROUND - CONTINUEDLocal agencies may amend the technical building standards if specific conditions exist:a) Agencies must make express findings through Resolutionb) Must be more restrictive than state codesc) Must fall within the three justifications for local amendmentsLocal Amendments PermittedClimaticGeologicalTopographicalAdministrative local amendments are exempt from these requirements 3 4
11/6/2025
3 RiversideCA.gov5
DISCUSSIONModernized Safety Standards:•Introduces California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (CWUIC) consolidating wildfire-related construction standardsAccessibility Enhancements:•Updates standards for multifamily housing, transient lodging, and social service facilitiesEnergy and Sustainability:•Expands CalGreen measures for both residential and commercial projects•Improves water efficiency and ventilation standardsSignificant Statewide Code Changes RiversideCA.gov6
DISCUSSIONResidential & Building Code Updates (Chapter 16.06 & 16.08)•Adds bonding for Temporary Certificates of Occupancy•Strengthens pool barrier requirements for new or modified dwellingsEV & Hydrogen Infrastructure (Chapter 16.23)•Expands streamlined permitting to include hydrogen fueling stations consistent with SB 1418Addressing Standards (Chapter 16.24)•Enhances address visibility, size, and illumination standards•Improves emergency response and address consistencyLocal Building Code Amendments5 6 11/6/2025
4 RiversideCA.gov7
DISCUSSIONFire Prevention (Chapter 16.32)•Streamlines sprinkler system permitting (Sec. 105.6.2)•Aligns open flame restrictions with wildland fire hazard zones (Sec. 308.1.5)•Cleans up sprinkler installation and monitoring language (Secs. 903.2 & 907.6.6)Public Safety Radio Amplification (Chapter 16.36)•Provision has been removed•Now fully governed by the California Fire CodeLocal Fire Code Amendments RiversideCA.gov8
DISCUSSIONSequence of code adoption events:Publishing – Local ReviewState publishes new buildingcodes on July 1, 2025Staff reviews new codes andprepares localamendments/updatesDrafts new Building, FireOrdinances, perform publicoutreach, etc.Effective Date 1/1/2026After council consideration and adoption, new codes become effective 30 days thereafter, butnot before 1/1/2026Introduction and Public HearingNew Building and Fire Ordinances with Resolution of Findings introduced to City Council in October 2025 and Public Hearing/Presentation in November 2025 to consider adoption7 8 11/6/2025
5 RiversideCA.gov9
RECOMMENDATIONSThat the City Council:1. Conduct a Public Hearing adopting the following:a) Adopt the ordinances introduced on October 21, 2025, and listed as follows: 1) Adopting the 2025 Edition of California Code of Regulations Title 24, the California Building Standards Code with local amendments thereto; 2) Amending Chapter 1.17 of the Riverside Municipal Code, Administrative Code Enforcement Remedies; and 3) Amending Chapter 5.59 of the Riverside Municipal Code, Fire Alarm System.b) Adopt a Resolution making the necessary express findings as required by state law to support local amendments to the 2025 edition of California Code of Regulations Title 24, the California Building Standards Code9