Resolution 2025-XXX
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA SETTING FORTH FINDINGS WITH RESPECT
TO LOCAL CONDITIO NS WITHIN THE CITY OF SANTA
ANA THAT JUSTIFY CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS AND
CHANGES TO THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE,
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, CALIFORNIA GREEN
BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL
CODE, CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, CALIFORNIA
PLUMBING CODE, CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE,
CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, CALIFORNIA EXISTING
BUILDING CODE, CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDI NG
CODE, AND INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
CODE, AS AMENDED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council hereby finds, determines, and declares as follows:
A. Health and Safety Code Section 17958 provides that the City of Santa Ana shall adopt O rdinances and regulations imposing the same or modified or changed requirements as are contained in the regulations adopted by the State pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17922.
B. The State of California is mandated by Health and Safety Code Section 17922 to impose the same requirements as are contained in the most recent edition of the California Building Code, California Existing Building Code, California Plumbing Code, California Mechanical Code, California Electrical Code, California Residential Code, California Fire Code, California Green Building Standards Code, California Historical Building Code, and the California Energy Code (hereinafter referred to collectively as "Codes").
C. Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5 permits the City to make modifications or changes to the Codes, which are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological or topographical conditions.
D. Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires that the City Council, before making any modifications or changes to the Codes, shall make an express finding that such changes or modifications are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological or topographical conditions.
E. Further, Assembly Bill 130 (“AB 130”) , effective June 30, 2025, placed a moratorium on state and local building standards affecting residential units, beginning
Resolution 2025-XXX
October 1, 2025 and ending June 1, 2031. As a result, cities a nd counties are prohibited from making changes to standards that are applicable to residential units, unless one of several conditions can be met . Section 179 58(b)(1) provides that one such condition allows changes or modifications that are substantially e quivalent to changes or modifications that were previously filed by the governing body of the city or county and were in effect as of September 30, 2025.
Section 2. The Planning and Building Agency and the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) have recommended that changes and modifications be made to the Codes and have advised that certain said changes and modifications to the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, California Existing Building Code, 2025 Edition, California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition, California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, California Existing Building Code, 2025 Edition, California Energy Code, 2025 Edition, California Historical Building Code, 2025 Edition, and the Californi a Fire Code, 2025 Edition, are reasonably necessary due to local conditions in the City of Santa Ana.
Section 3. Amendments to the 2025 Edition of the California Building Code, the 2025 Edition of the California Existing Building Code, the 2025 Edition of the California Residential Code, and the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code, as recommended by the Planning and Building Agency and the Orange County Fire Authority , are hereby found to be reasonably necessary based upon the following findings:
I. Climatic Conditions
A. The jurisdiction of Santa Ana is located in a semi -arid Mediterranean type climate. It annually experiences extended periods of high temperatures with little or no precipitation. Hot, dry (Santa Ana) winds, which may reach speeds of 70 M.P.H. or greater, are also common to the area. These climatic conditions cause extreme drying of vegetation and common building materials. Frequent periods of drought and low humidity add to the fire danger. This predisposes the area to large destructi ve fires (conflagration). In addition to directly damaging or destroying buildings, these fires are also prone to disrupt utility services throughout the County.
Obstacles generated by a strong wind, such as fallen trees, s treet lights and utility poles will greatly impact the response time to reach an incident scene.
B. The climate alternates between extended periods of drought and brief flooding conditions. Flood conditions may affect the Orange County Fire Authority’s ability to respond to a fire or e mergency condition. Floods also disrupt utility services to buildings and facilities within the County.
C. Water demand in this densely populated area far exceeds the quantity supplied by natural precipitation; and although the population continues to grow, the already-taxed water supply does not. California is projected to increase in population by nearly 10 million over the next quarter of a
Resolution 2025-XXX
century with 50 percent of that growth centered in Southern California.
Due to storage capacities and consumption, and a limited amount of rainfall, future water allocation is not fully dependable. This necessitates the need for additional and on-site fire protection features.
D. These dry climatic conditions and winds contribute to the rapid spread of even small fir es originating in high -density housing or vegetation. These fires spread very quickly and create a need for increased levels of fire protection. The added protection of fire sprinkler systems and other fire protection features will supplement normal fire department response by providing immediate protection for the building occupants and by containing and controlling the fire spread to the area of origin. Fire sprinkler systems will also reduce the use of water for firefighting by as much as 50 to 75 percent.
II. Topographical conditions
A. Natural; slopes of 15 percent or greater generally occur throughout the foothills of Orange County. The elevation change cause by the hills creates the geological foundation on which communities with in Orange County are built and will continue to build. With much of the populated flatlands already built upon, future growth will occur on steeper slopes and with greater constraints in terrain.
B. Traffic and circulation congestion is an artificially created, obstructive topographical condition, which is common throughout Orange County.
C. These topographical conditions combine to create a situation, which places fire department response time to fire occurrences at risk, and makes it necessary to provide automatic on-site fire-extinguishing systems and other protection measures to protect occupants and property.
III. Geological Conditions
The Orange County region is a densely populated area that has buildings constructed over and near a vast and complex network of faults that are believed to be capable of producing future earthquakes similar or greater in size than the 1994 Northridge and the 1971 Sylmar earthquakes. Earthquake faults run along the northeast and southwest boundaries of Orange County.
The Newport-Inglewood Fault, located within Orange County, was the source of the destructive 1933 Long Beach earthquake (6.3 magnitude) which took 120 lives and damaged buildings in an area from Laguna Beach to Marina Del Rey to Whittier. In December 1989, another earthquake occurred in the jurisdiction of Irvine at an unknown fault line. Regional planning for reoccurrence of earthquakes is recommended by the State of California, Department of Conservation.
Resolution 2025-XXX
A. Previous earthquakes have been accompanied by disruption of traffic flow and fires. A severe seismic event has the potential to negatively impact any rescue or fire suppression activities because it is likely to create obstacles similar to those indicated under the high wind section above.
With the probability of strong aftershoc ks, there exists a need to provide increased protection for anyone on upper floors of buildings. The October 17, 1989, Santa Cruz earthquake resulted in one major fire in the Marina District (San Francisco). When combined with the 34 other fires locally and over 500 responses, the department was taxed to its fullest capabilities. The Marina fire was difficult to contain because mains supplying water to the district burst during the earthquake. This situation creates the need for both additional fire pro tection and automatic on -site fire protection for building occupants. State Department of Conservation noted in their 1988 report (Planning Scenario on a Major Earthquake on the Newport -Inglewood Fault Zone, page 59) : “unfortunately, barely meeting the m inimum earthquake standards of building codes places a building on the verge of being legally unsafe.”
B. Road circulation features located throughout the County also make amendments reasonably necessary. Located through the County are major roadways, highways and flood control channels that create barriers and slow response times. Hills, slopes, street and storm drain design accompanied with occasional heavy rainfall, cause roadway flooding and landslides and at times may make an emergency access route impassable. There are areas in Orange County that naturally have extended emergency response times exceeding the 5 minute goal.
C. Soils throughout the County possess corrosive properties that reduce the expected usable life of water services when metallic pip es in contact with soils are utilized.
Due to the topographical conditions of sprawling development separated by waterways and narrow and congested streets and the expected infrastructure damage inherent in seismic zone described above, it is prudent to rely on automatic fire sprinkler systems to mitigate extended fire department response time and keep fires manageable with reduced fire flow (water) requirements for a given structure. Additional fire protection is also justified to match the current resources of firefighting equipment and personnel within the Orange County Fire Authority.
Section 4. The following specific amendments to the sections of the 2025 Edition of the California Building Code, as recommended by the Planning and Building Agency and the Orange County Fire Authority , are reasonably necessary based upon the corresponding findings in Section 3 of this Resolution:
Resolution 2025-XXX
BUILDING
CODE SECTION
TITLE (Clarification) FINDINGS I,II,III
101.1 Title Administrative
103.1 Enforcement Agency Administrative
105.3.2 Time Limitation of Application Administrative
903.2 Where required (Sprinklers) II & III-B
903.2.8 Group R (Sprinklers) II & III-B
903.3.5.3 Hydraulically calculated systems I & II
506.5.3 (CEBC) Seismic Loads (California Existing Building Code)
II & III
1006.3 (CEBC) Seismic Loads (California Existing Building Code)
II & III
Appendix I Patio Covers Admin, I, II & III
Appendix J Grading Admin, I, II & III
Section 5. The following specific amendments to the sections of the 2025 Edition of the California Residential Code , as recommended by the Planning and Building Agency and the Orange County Fire Authority , are reasonably necessary based upon the corresponding findings in Section 3 of this Resolution:
RESIDENTIAL
CODE SECTION
TITLE (Clarification) FINDINGS I,II,III
Table R301.2 Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria Admin, I, II & III Appendix H Patio Covers Admin, I, II & III
Section 6. The following specific amendments to the sections of the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code, as recommended by the Planning and Building Agency and the Orange County Fire Authority , are reasonably necessary based upon the corresponding findings in Section 3 of this Resolution:
FIRE CODE
SECTION
TITLE (Clarification) FINDINGS I,II,III
113.4 Violation penalties Administrative
113.4.2 Infraction and misdemeanor Administrative
202 General definitions Administrative
304.1.3 OCFA vegetation management I
305.6 Hazardous conditions (outdoor fires) I & II
305.7 Disposal of rubbish I & II
307 Open burning, recreational fires, fire pits,
fire rings, and outdoor fireplaces
Administrative
307.6 Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings Administrative 307.6.1 Gas-fueled devices (outdoor fires) I & II
307.6.2 Devices using wood or fuels other than
natural gas or LPG
I & II
307.6.2.1 Where prohibited (burning of solid fuels) I & II
Resolution 2025-XXX
324.1 Fuel modification requirements for new
construction
I
325.1 Clearance of brush or vegetation growth
from roadways
I
326.1 Unusual circumstances (vegetation
management)
Administrative
327.1 Use of equipment (IC engines and spark
arresters)
I
327.2 Use of equipment and devices generating
heat, sparks or open flames
I
327.3 Spark arresters I
407.5 Hazardous material inventory statement I & II
501.1 Scope (fire service features) Administrative, I, II & III
510.1 Emergency responder radio coverage Administrative 903.2 Where required (sprinklers) I, II & III
903.2.8 Group R (sprinklers) I, II & III
903.3.5.3 Hydraulically calculated systems I, II & III
2801.2 Permit (biomass storage and handling) Administrative 2808.2 Storage site Administrative
2808.3 Size of piles I
2808.4 Pile separation I
2808.7 Pile fire protection I
2808.9 Material-handling equipment I
2808.11 Temperature control I
2808.11.1 Pile temperature control I
2808.11.2 New material temperature control I
2808.12 Water availability (for piles) I
2808.13 Tipping area I
2808.14 Emergency contact information Administrative
2808.15 Maximum grid of piles and rows Administrative, I 2808.16 Push-out / clear area Administrative, I
5001.5.2 Hazardous materials inventory statement Administrative 5003.1.1.1 Extremely hazardous substances I, II & III
5608.2 Firing (commercial fireworks) Administrative
5608.3 Application for permit (commercial
fireworks)
Administrative
Chapter 80 Reference Standards N/A
2025 NFPA 13 (commercial sprinkler
systems)
Administrative, II &
III
2025 NFPA 13D (single family
sprinkler systems)
I & II
2025 NFPA 24 (underground water
supply systems)
Administrative & III
Section 7. The aforementioned amendments have been incorporated in detail in Ordinance NS-________.
Section 8 . Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17 958(b)(1), the City
Resolution 2025-XXX
finds that any changes or modificat ions affecting residential units contained in Ordinance NS- ____are substantially equivalent to changes or modifications that were previously filed by the City of Santa Ana and were in effect as of September 30, 2025.
Section 9. Additional amendments hav e been made to the relevant California Building Code, California Existing Building Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Energy Code, Existing Building Code , Residential Code, Green Building Standards Code, Fire Code, and International Property Maintenance Code. On the recommendation of the Planning and Building Agency and the Orange County Fire Authority, such amendments are hereby found to be either administrative or procedural in nature or concern themselves with subjects not covered in the aforementioned Codes. The changes made include provisions making each of said Codes compatible with other Codes enforced by the City.
Resolution 2025-XXX
Section 10. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby approves and authorizes the Planning and Building Agency to file copies of Resolution 2025-_____ and Ordinance NS-_______ with the California Building Standards Commission, as required by Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7.
Section 11. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and the Clerk of the Council shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this Resolution.
ADOPTED this ____ day of ______________, 2025.
___________________________
Valerie Amezcua
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By: ________________________
Melissa M. Crosthwaite
Senior Assistant City Attorney
AYES: Councilmembers
NOES: Councilmembers
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, _________________, Clerk of the Council, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution No. 2025-___ to be the original Resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana on _____________, 2025.
Date: ___________________ ____________________________ Clerk of the Council
City of Santa Ana