Agenda Item: 6
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: October 28, 2025
SUBJECT: FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE 2025
CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE WITH LOCAL
AMENDMENTS
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
PRESENTER: John Caprarelli
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council introduce and pass to second reading an ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING AND REPLACING TITLES 18 THROUGH 22, TITLE 24, AND CHAPTER 25.01 OF TITLE 25; AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE,
BUILDING, RESIDENTIAL, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, ENERGY,
EXISTING BUILDING, HISTORICAL BUILDING, FIRE, WILDLAND-URBAN
INTERFACE, GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS, AND REFERENCED STANDARDS CODES WITH CERTAIN APPENDICES AND LOCAL AMENDMENTS;” and set the public hearing for November 25, 2025.
BACKGROUND
State Code Adoption Process
The California Building Standards Code (Building Code) is updated and published every three years under the direction of the California Building Standards Commission. The Building Code comprises Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations and is intended to provide for the safety and welfare of all citizens through the implementation of the latest technology, materials, engineering, construction, and sustainability methods, as regulated by the latest adopted building codes.
The State of California mandates that local jurisdictions adopt and commence enforcement of the latest state building codes within six months of the adoption by the state. The City of Santa Clarita (City) has complied with this requirement since incorporation in 1987. Recently, the state published the 2025 Building Code with an effective date for enforcement of January 1, 2026.
The City must adopt the 2025 Building Code to be in compliance with state law.
The proposed ordinance repeals the 2022 California Building Standards Code and adopts the 2025 California Building Standards Code along with local amendments, which comprises the following titles and chapters of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code:
Title 18, City Building Code
Title 19, City Electrical Code
Title 20, City Plumbing Code
Title 21, City Mechanical Code
Title 22, City Fire Code and Wildland-Urban Interface Code Title 24, City Energy Conservation Code
Title 25, Chapter 25.01, City Green Building Standards Code
Local Amendments to the State Codes
State law allows local jurisdictions to amend the Building Code when necessary to address adverse local conditions related to climate, geology, and topography. The proposed City amendments included in this ordinance establish enhanced standards for fire, flood, and earthquake protection for buildings constructed throughout the City. These provisions are consistent with amendments adopted by other jurisdictions in the Southern California region and are similar to those approved by the City during the previous code cycle. Examples of amended building standards include:
• Higher fire classifications for roofing materials
• Improved seismic design and construction provisions for wood-framed structures • Prohibition on un-reinforced concrete foundations
• Prohibition on permanent wood foundations
The proposed amendments also include administrative provisions related to enforcement, fee collection, and clarification of work exempt from permit requirements. These provisions align with the City’s existing practices and previously adopted amendments. Please refer to the attached document for the full text of the proposed amendments.
As part of the stakeholder outreach process, Building and Safety staff hosted a public meeting at City Hall on October 8, 2025, to present the proposed local amendments and explain the Building Code adoption process. Invitations were distributed to local contractors, design professionals, developers, and other members of the construction industry. Attendees were given the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the proposed amendments, and no opposition was received. In addition, Building and Safety staff notified the Building Industry Association of the code adoption and proposed City amendments.
Public Hearing Requirement
In accordance with Government Code Section 50022.3, a public hearing will be held at the City Council meeting on November 25, 2025, to consider adoption of the ordinance. The format for holding a public hearing at the second reading rather than at the first reading is specifically set forth in this Government Code section. Prior to adoption, a public notice will be duly published as required, and a copy of the proposed codes and amendments will be available in the City Clerk’s office for public review prior to the public hearing.
Effective Date
The ordinance establishes an effective date of January 1, 2026, to commence enforcement of the 2025 Building Code. This date conforms to the effective date established by the state for mandatory enforcement of the new Building Code. Any application for a building permit submitted on or after that date will be subject to the provisions of the 2025 Building Code along with local amendments.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Should the City Council elect not to adopt the proposed state codes and local amendments, the City would still be required to enforce the new state codes as set forth in Health & Safety Code 17922 and 17958 et al. Additionally, the updated local amendments, if not adopted, would not be enforceable.
Failure to adopt the ordinance could also result in a downgrading of the City’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating, thereby negatively affecting the insurance rates paid by property owners for new construction.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
Ordinance
Justifications 2025