RESOLUTION NO. R-25-23
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN MARINO ADOPTING FINDINGS OF NECESSITY
AND NEED FOR AMENDMENTS, DELETIONS, AND
ADDITIONS TO THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING
STANDARDS CODE BASED ON LOCAL CLIMATIC,
GEOLOGICAL OR TOPOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, Sections 17958 and 18941.5 of the California Health and Safety Code provide that the City may make such changes or modifications to building standards set forth in codes comprising the 2025 California Building Standards Codes and the 2022 Los Angeles County Code, Appendix J - Grading Standards as it determines are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological or topographical conditions.
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. O-25-1421 adopts the 2025 editions of the California Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Fire, Energy, Historical, Existing, Administrative, Green Building Standards, and Referenced Standards Codes and the 2022 Los Angeles County Appendix J - Grading Standards, including minor modifications to building standards and other provisions contained in said codes.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MARINO HEREBY FINDS, DETERMINES, ORDERS AND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Findings supporting local amendments. The modifications to Codes comprising the 2025 California Building Standards Code and the 2022 Los Angeles County Grading Standards that have been enacted are a continuation of the San Marino Building Code. The City Council expressly finds that all of the changes and modifications to such Codes, whether previously enacted or enacted in this ordinance, are reasonably necessary because of local climate characterized by hot, dry summers, followed by strong Santa Ana winds and heavy winter rains, the location in Southern California, the relatively flat topography of the City and the location of the Raymond fault within the City.
A. Specifically, the City Council hereby finds that the modifications to the California Building Code regarding the amendment to the California Fire Code, fire sprinkler system (Section 903.2), fire alarm system (Section 907.2), are reasonably necessary to the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the City due to the following local climatic, topographic and geological condition:
1. The City is located in an area climatically classified as arid and prone to hot, dry Santa Ana winds of high velocity. Santa Ana winds are unique to this region of Southern California. Moreover, due to the arid nature of the area, the weather during Santa Ana conditions tends to be hot, dry and windy. The hot, dry and windy weather conditions are very hazardous to populated areas insofar as flame spread is concerned.
2. Because of the above-described climatic conditions, the City and the surrounding cities have historically suffered from occasional structural fires. These have often been difficult to control due to the relatively flat topography of the City and the dry winds carrying sparks and cinders to surrounding structures.
3. The City is located in a seismically active area, bisected by the Raymond Fault, and it is reasonably foreseeable that an earthquake would render the City particularly vulnerable to devastation.
4. Because of the above-described geological conditions, the City, in the event of an earthquake, may be unable to dispatch an adequate number of fire personnel with apparatus to suppress fires and conduct rescue operations. Moreover, the conditions within the City likewise occur in surrounding communities, thereby rendering mutual aid assistance problematic.
B. The City Council hereby further finds that the selected recommended technical amendments and additions to the 2025 California Building and Residential Codes from the Los Angeles Regional Uniform Code Program (Fire Code Sections 903.2 and 907.2) are reasonably necessary for the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of the City resulting from the following geological condition:
1. The City is located in a seismically active area, bisected by the Raymond Fault, and among a vast array of other fault systems capable of producing major earthquakes. It is reasonably foreseeable that an earthquake would render the City particularly vulnerable to devastation.
2. Because of the above-described climatic conditions, the City and the surrounding cities have historically suffered from occasional structural fires. These have often been difficult to control due to the relatively flat topography of the City and the dry winds carrying sparks and cinders to surrounding structures.
C. The City Council hereby further finds that the other modifications to the 2025 California Codes and the addition of the 2022 Los Angeles County Code Appendix J Grading Standards are administrative or procedural in nature and necessary to allow the application of such codes by procedures suited to the size and nature of the City and its staff. The changes made also include provisions to make each of said Codes consistent with other Codes enforced by the City.
D. The City Council hereby further finds that the modifications to the 2025 Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Energy, and Green Building Code Standards are administrative or procedural in nature and necessary to allow the application of such codes by procedures suited to the size and nature of the City and its staff. The changes made also include provisions to make each of said Codes consistent with other Codes enforced by the City.
E. The City Council hereby further finds that the 2025 Historical and Existing Code Standards are administrative or procedural in nature and necessary to allow the application of such codes by procedures suited to the size and nature of the City and its staff. The changes made also include provisions to make each of said Codes consistent with other Codes enforced by the City such as Chapter 23 Article 18, Historic Preservation.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified copy of the same and Ordinance No. O-25-1421 to be forthwith transmitted to the California Building Standards Commission.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 26th day of September, 2025. ___________________________________
GRETCHEN SHEPHERD ROMEY
MAYOR
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________ ________________________
ALISON WALKER JOSEPH MONTES
CITY CLERK CITY ATTORNEY
I HEREBY CERTIFY that foregoing Resolution No. R-25-23 was duly adopted by the City of San Marino at a Regular Meeting of the City Council held on the 26th day of September, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
______________________
ALISON WALKER,
CITY CLERK