San Bernardino Municipal Code Adopting The New
(2025) California Building Code
Presented by Jeremias Arellano, Building Official
Community Development and Housing Department
Background:
Every three years, the State adopts new building model codes to establish uniform standards for construction and maintenance. Changes to the model code affect all new building permit applications submitted on or after January 1st, 2026.
Effective August 5, 2026, all projects that are submitted for building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits will be required to comply with the 2025 California Code of Regulations Title 24.
Significant Changes:
R102.7 Residential Code
The WUI Code
(Part 7 – California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, CWUIC) introduces stricter wildfire safety requirements for buildings in high-risk zones.
Significant Changes:
City of San Bernardino High-Risk Fire Zones -
Significant Changes:
Non-Residential/Commercial
111.3 – Temporary Occupancy. Restores the ability for the Building Official to issue Temporary Certificates of Occupancy (TCO).
Developers requesting TCO issuance will be required to post a bond in the amount equal to labor and material cost to complete the outstanding work + 20% to account for market fluctuations.
TCO Timeframes will be determined by the Building Official based on the scope of the remaining work.
Recommendation:
The Mayor and City Council:
1. Introduce and read by title only and waive further reading of Ordinance No. MC-xxx of the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, adopting the new Municipal Code language and approve use of the new 2025 California Building Code and other minor changes to Chapter 15 of the San Bernardino Municipal Code.
2. Schedule Ordinance No. MC-xxx for Adoption on August 15, 2026.