COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Chenin Dow, Community Development Director
DATE: November 4, 2025
SUBJECT: Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Portions of Chapters 9 -04 through 9 -76 of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code Concerning Building and Fire Regulations
Description:
The City Council will waive the first reading and introduce an Ordinance amending portions of Chapters 9 -04 through 9 -76 of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code Concerning Building and Fire Regulations, as well as the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC).
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Waive the first reading and introduce an Ordinance amending portions of Chapters 9-04 through 9-76 of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code concerning Building and Fire Code regulations; and
2. Set for adoption at the next regular City Council meeting.
BACKGROUND:
The State of California Building Standards Commission adopts new State standards for building and construction code s every three years, which cities and counties are then mandated to adopt. If codes are not adopted locally, the cities and counties are required to exclusively follow State codes. The 2025 California Building Codes are codified in the Santa Maria Municipal Code (SMMC) and adopted by reference to allow local deviations from the State code, if determined to be necessary by the City. This codification process also enables the City to enforce the Building Code through local methods and processes contained in the SMMC.
The Ordinance amends the City of Santa Maria’s Title 9 Building Regulations by adopting the 202 5 California Building Code, 202 5 California Historical Building Code, 202 5 California Mechanical Code, 2025 California Residential Code, 2025 California Existing Building Code, 202 5 California Electrical Code, 202 5 California Plumbing Code, and 2025 California Fire Code, and makes a minor amendment to the previously adopted 2024 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC).
DISCUSSION:
There are no significant changes to the 2025 California Building Code. Changes focus on enhancing safety, such as a new requirement for protection of stairway exterior walls and clarifying requirements for stairway and elevator two-way communication systems.
Local deviations from the State code are permitted if determined necessary by the City.
As stated, the changes mandated by the State, and other local amendments or additions to the Building and Fire Codes are minor in nature and are primarily for organization and clarity. The Code updates will take effect January 1, 202 6. Permit applications and construction documents submitted after January 1, 202 6, will be subject to the new Codes.
Alternative
If the City Council does not locally adopt the Codes , the City would default to the State codes and, with regards solely to the IPMC, the City’s existing Municipal Code provisions relating to property maintenance. However, failure to adopt the suggested Codes would limit the City ’s enforcement mechanisms, a nd the City's ability to include adjustments specific to the City's local conditions.
Fiscal Considerations
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the Ordinance.
Impact to the Community
The proposed action would adopt the latest building standards to ensure optimal safety in buildings constructed in the City of Santa Maria.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Ordinance - Amending Portions of Chapters 9-04 through 9-76 of Title 9