RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2025-15, APPROVING A WAGE AND
BENEFIT PACKAGE FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY MANAGERS
AND EXTENDING REVIEW OF AGREEMENT AND INCREASE TO
THE CITY’S CONTRIBUTION TO HEALTH BENEFITS PREMIUMS IN 2026
WHEREAS, the City Council is committed to a compensation policy that strengthens the recruitment and retention of well-qualified and effective managers; and WHEREAS, in 2003, the Public Safety Managers initiated a petition to no longer be affiliated with any other bargaining group, and to represent themselves in informal discussions with the City Manager over wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment; and
WHEREAS, in February 2024, the City Manager entered into discussions with the Public Safety Managers and assembled a wage and benefit package incorporated herein, that outlines and delineates the benefit structure for these employees consistent with other employee bargaining groups; and
WHEREAS, Resolution Number 2022 -64 established broadband classifications of Organizational Leader - Non Safety; Organizational Leader – Safety; Corporate/Executive Leader - Non Safety; and Corporate/Executive Leader – Safety; and
WHEREAS, Resolution Number 2025-15 replaced the wage and benefit package approved for the Public Safety Managers in January 2022;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, that the attached resolution shall restate and amend Resolution Number 2025-15 and will replace and supersede Resolution Number 2025-15 establishing the wage and benefit package approved for the Public Safety Managers in January 2026:
Broadband Corporate/Executive Leader (Safety)– classification includes Chief of Police and Fire Chief. Broadband Organizational Enterprise Leader (Safety)– classification includes Police Division Commander and Deputy Fire Chief.
Public Safety Managers include the classification of Fire Battalion Chief.
1. SALARY
Effective the first full pay period following ratification by the City Council, a base salary increase of five percent (5%) of the employee’s base salary will be given to sworn police and fire managers in the employ of the City. If this agreement is ratified and adopted by the City Council by April 2, 2024, this increase shall be effective the first full pay period containing January 1, 2024.
Attachment A
Effective the first full pay period containing January 1, 2025, a base salary increase of five percent (5%) of the employee’s base salary will be given to sworn police and fire managers in the employ of the City.
Accordingly, the aforementioned salary increase shall also be afforded to all Executive Managers on at-will employment contracts (Police Chief and Fire Chief) in the employ of the City upon adoption of this resolution.
2. PERFORMANCE REVIEW INCREASES FOR BROADBAND CLASSIFIED
EMPLOYEES WITHIN THE BROADBAND SALARY RANGE
Increases for employees within a broadband salary range shall be governed by the following.
I. Performance management will be in alignment with the allocated budget and City Council’s organizational strategies, objectives and performance outcomes. As such p erformance goals and measures must relate to the overall City goals and desired outcomes.
II. Broadband classified employees will be appointed at or near the pay minimum pay range. Subsequent compensation increases will be linked to the performance and the degree to which competency mastery is attained.
III. Salary increases within a range shall not be automatic but shall be granted only upon the affirmative recommendation of the appropriate department director, including written certification that the employee's overall annual performance has been satisfactory or better.
IV. Such salary increases shall be effective on the first day of the pay period in which the salary anniversary date occurs.
V. The percentage range from 0% up to 3% of the salary increase s hall be determined by the City Manager, on an annual basis, and shall be communicated to the appropriate department director.
VI. Under exceptional circumstances, where rigid adherence to the percentage range for the salary increase could cause disruption to city operational issues or cause inequity, the City Manager, could grant a salary increase outside of the percentage range for an eligible employee.
VII. For the employee to be eligible for consideration under (VI ) they must have an overall annual performan ce rating of Excellent or Outstanding with organizational goals and outcomes that are in alignment with the City Council and the respective department.
Attachment A
3. PERFORMANCE BASED PAY (PBP) PROGRAM (See PBP Guidelines) Executive managers (Broadband Corporate Executive Leaders (Safety)/Department Directors) are eligible to participate in the City’s Performance Based Pay Program. Broadband Corporate Executive Leaders (Safety)/Department Directors may receive a PBP incentive of up to three percent (3%) of the employees’ annual salary. All PBP incentives will be tied directly to job performance and criteria established by the City Manager’s Office and approved by the City Council.
4. COMPENSATION CONVERSIONS FOR FIRE SHIFT MANAGERS
Employees appointed to Fire Battalion Chief are designated as shift employees (fifty-six (56) hour workweek). Therefore, assignments to a forty (40) hour workweek are deemed temporary and may be rotational. Except as specifically noted below, all compensation and benefits, inclu ding maximum accumulation limits, shall be based on the assignment using the following conversion ratios: the fifty-six (56) hour to forty (40) hour work week ratio .7143 percent; and the forty (40) hour to fifty -six (56) hour work week ratio is 1.4 percent. Conversion assignments shall be effective at the beginning of a two (2)-week pay period.
All other classifications covered by this Resolution are considered to be and compensated at the forty (40) hour workweek rate, including the Fire Battalion Chief assigned as the Training Battalion Chief or Administrative Battalion Chief.
5. CONSTRUCTIVE RECEIPT
Employees may receive a cash payment for unused vacation, personal leave, and/or compensatory time provided they meet the requirements set forth in the applicable provision of the Resolution and abide by the below.
Employees will have the option to declare their intent to cash -out accrued leave under the following conditions in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 451:
- Hours cashed-out shall be paid at straight time.
- By December 1 st of each year, employees can declare their intent to cash - out the leave (or a portion of the leave) they earn during the following payroll calendar year. For example, elections made by December 1, 2024, shall apply to hours accrued in 2025.
- The employee can choose any pay period(s) during the year to receive the elected cash-out and must declare the selected pay period for cash-out at the time of election.
- Once an election is made it cannot be rescinded.
- The employee will be responsible for making sure the required number of
Attachment A
hours to be cashed -out are available at the time of each cash -out. If an employee has not met the requirements, the employee will not be eligible for that cash- out during the year.
- Employees will be eligible for partial cash -outs if the full amount of hours elected are not available at the elected time of cash -out. For example, if an employee elects to cash -out 40 vacation hours during the first pay period in November, but only 20 hours a re available at that time, 20 hours would be cashed-out.
- Employees will be required to complete the City’s standardized election form.
- Failure to submit an irrevocable election form by December 1st of each year shall be the same as not electing to cash-out leave during the following payroll calendar year.
6. MANAGEMENT LEAVE
Management leave is designed to recognize and compensate for work in excess of forty (40) hours per week by exempt non-shift employees and fifty-six (56) hours per week for exempt shift employees. While management leave is not based on overtime hours worked on an hour-for-hour basis, it does allow employees to take paid time off in recognition of hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours per work week for non-shift employees or fifty-six (56) hours per week for shift employees.
During the first payroll period of each new payroll calendar year, all eligible exempt employees shall be credited with a designated amount of management leave time (rounded to the nearest half-hour) to be used during that payroll calendar year. No portion of the management leave hours may be accumulated or rolled over from one payroll calendar year to another , and all unused management leave will automatically be erased from the books at the end of the payroll calendar year. For employees separating service or starting during the calendar year, management leave will be pro -rated (to the nearest half -hour) based on the number of full pay periods elapsed or remaining during the payroll year. If an employee, prior to separating service, used more management leave than the pro- rated amount for the payroll year, the excess used management leave will be deducted from vacation leave hours, then if needed, from the employee’s final paycheck without the necessity of the City securing a judgment. Accordingly, management leave is a “use it or lose it” benefit and no unused management leave will be cashed-out.
Department Directors/Corporate Leader - Safety broadband classification on at-will employment contracts will receive eighty (80) hours of management leave . With the exceptio n of shift Battalion Chiefs, all remaining exempt broadband classifications in the Public Safety Managers group who are allocated to the Organizational Leader - Safety classification shall be placed in the second tier of the program and receive sixty-four (64) hours of management leave per payroll calendar year. Shift Battalion Chiefs shall be placed at the third tier of the program
Attachment A
and receive ninety -six (96) hours of management leave (at the fifty -six (56) hour rate), per payroll calendar year.
7. OVERTIME
Battalion Chiefs shall receive time-and-a-half pay (at the fifty-six (56) hour rate) or compensatory time off for each hour worked, in a suppression capacity, in excess of his/her assigned paid shift. Overtime shall be paid when providing mutual aid in which the City is reimbursed, by either federal or state agencies, at the rate of time and one -half at the fifty -six (56) hour work week pay rate. The maximum accumulation of compensatory time shall be one hundred-twenty (120) hours. With the exception of management leave, no other compensation or benefits will be afforded to these employees in consideration for overtime.
8. HOLIDAYS
A. The City will recognize seven (7) (eight hour) holidays as fixed holidays for non- shift managers (with the exception of any 4 0-hour Fire Battalion Chiefs): New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas. Non-shift managers will be eligible to receive, on a pro -rated basis, six (6) additional days [forty-eight (48) hours ] of floating holiday time on the first pay period in the payroll calendar year to be scheduled off by formal request of each individual employee with the approval of the department director and/or City Manager.
Prior to the second to last full pay period in the payroll calendar year, non -shift managers are eligible to use and/or cash-out up to forty-eight (48) hours of floating holiday time on one occasion anytime during the (payroll) calendar year. Any floating holiday hours remaining on the books after the second to last full pay period in the payroll calendar year will automatically be cashed -out and included in the last payroll check of the calendar year.
B. The City will recognize holidays for Fire Battalion Chiefs commensurate with other fire sworn shift personnel (Municipal Code section 2 -20.20 and CAM 78 -2).
In recognition of the current calendar year’s holidays, shift fire managers shall be paid for six (6) pro -rated work shifts (at the fifty -six (56) rate of pay) effective the last pay period ending in November of each year. The six (6) pro-rated shifts shall not be converted for employees temporarily assigned to a forty (40) hour work week and will be paid at the fifty-six (56) hour rate of pay. The 40-hour Training Battalion Chief shall work the fixed holidays that fall on a regularly scheduled workday or may utilize leave time. The six (6) pro-rated shifts shall be reported to the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) as special compensation.
C. For employees separa ting service or starting during the calendar year, paid holiday hours will be pro -rated (rounded to the nearest half -hour) based on the number of full pay periods elapsed or remaining during the payroll year. If an
Attachment A
employee, prior to separating service, used more floating holiday time than the pro- rated amount for the payroll year, the excess used floating holiday time will be deducted from vacation leave hours, then if needed, from the employee’s final paycheck without the necessity of the City securing a judgment.
9. SALARY SURVEY PROCEDURES
The salary survey shall include for comparison purposes, the “E” step or fifth step monthly salary. For purposes of preparing a salary survey for wage and benefit consideration, the City will add 2.15 percent to the top step salary of Police Chief and 3.2 percent to the top step of Fire Chief (for salary comparison purposes only).
Notwithstanding this provision, said salary survey procedures shall not be interpreted to mandate the setting of salary and/or other forms of compensation at the level indicated in the salary survey.
Originally, the parties agreed to add an additional percentage of 2.86 percent to the top step salary of Police Chief and 3.2 percent to the top step of Fire Chief for salary survey purposes until all surveyed CalPERS agencies have the EPMC benefit, however, due to Public Employee Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) legislation, the parties agree to reduce the percentage commensurately with the percentage of unit members in Tier I (as noted in the preceding paragraph).
10. MOVE-UP PAY
Up to a five percent (5%) differential in salary shall be allowed for those personnel who are assigned to perform duties above their classification for five (5) consecutive working days. If an employee is functioning in an acting department director capacity for more than the above stated timeframe, the employee may be placed at the appropriate step in the department director range to compensate him/her for the lengthy assignment commensurate wi th the assignment as determined by the City Manager or his/her designee. The employee working in a higher classification shall be compensated back to and including the first day that s/he works in the higher classification.
11. SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT/PROJECT PAY
Where employees, on a temporary basis, are assigned, by their department director, to perform a significant project outside the scope of their position, the City Manager may authorize payment not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) than the employee’s current salary. This shall not be in addition to the standard (5%) move- up pay.
The special assignment and/or project should connect individual achievement to organizational goals , which provides an incentive for their performance. The special assignment and/or project shall not change in anyway an employee’s ability to meet the core expectations of his or her job. Unlike standard move-up pay, granting this pay shall be at the sole discretion of the City Manager.
Attachment A
12. BILINGUAL PAY
A salary differential shall only be paid to those employees who are required by the City Manager to use both English and Spanish in communicating with the general public while performing the duties of his/her position. Eligible employees who demonstrate appropriate skills in both speaking and understanding the Spanish language, at a basic level, shall receive a two percent (2%) salary differential above his/her regular sc heduled salary, within the individual's designated classification.
Eligible employees who demonstrate Spanish speaking skills at an advanced level shall receive a three percent (3%) salary differential.
The City Manager’s Office will test for the skill level required.
13. EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE PAY
The City will provide the below educational incentive pay upon date of hire, and it shall be paid in addition to regular pay when the education is in addition to the regular requirements of the job specifications and is work -related. An employee may not receive an aggregate of education and certification incentive more than seven-and-one-half percent (7.5%).
Fire Employees
B.A. Degree - 5% (BC only)
M.A. Degree - 7.5%
Chief Fire Officer Cert. - 5.0% (BC Only)
Executive Chief Fire Officer Cert. - 7.5%
Police Employees
A.A. Degree - 2.5%
B.A. Degree - 5%
M.A. Degree - 7.5%
POST Cert. - 2.5% Intermediate
POST Cert. - 5% Advanced
14. TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
The City agrees to reimburse employees up to $1,500 per calendar year for the cost of tuition and books if a grade of “C” or better is obtained for undergraduate, and “B” or better for postgraduate; or for (Department Director approved) job - related courses taken on the employee's own time, that resu lt in a course completion certificate issued by a recognized training organization.
Receipts must be received by the City for processing within sixty (60) days of course completion.
15. VACATIONS
With the exception of employees on at-will employment contracts, employees shall be entitled to take all vacation accrued to him/her after six (6) months of
Attachment A
employment. Vacation accrual for non-shift managers shall be as follows:
Years 0-4 5-6 7 8 9 10-11 12 13 14 15 16 20+
Hours
Earned
80 96
104
112
120
128
136
144
152
160
168
184
The vacation accrual for shift fire managers shall be as follows:
Years 0-3 4-6 7 8 9 10-11 12 13 14 15 16
Hours
Earned
132
144
156
168
180
192
204
216
228
240
252
The maximum amount of vacation accumulation at any one time shall be three hundred thirty-six (336) hours for non-shift employees, four hundred sixteen (416) hours for employees on at-will employment contracts, and four hundred eighty (480) hours for shift fire employees. When an employ ee reaches the maximum allowable vacation credit, no additional vacation credit shall be accrued until the vacation balance is below the maximum.
During the calendar year, employees performing at an acceptable or superior level are eligible to predesignate a cash-out or sell-back up to forty (40) hours of vacation time at straight time on two occasions anytime during the payroll calendar year, so long as they have (after said cash-out) a minimum vacation balance of at least forty (40) hours on t he books. This cash -out benefit shall be made in accordance with Section 5 Constructive Receipt.
During the calendar year, shift fire employees, performing at an acceptable or superior level are eligible to predesignate a cash-out or sell-back up to ninety-six (96) hours of vacation at straight time on one occasion, so long as they have (after said cash-out) a minimum vacation balance of at least ninety-six (96) hours on the books. This cash -out benefit shall be made in accordance with Section 5, Constructive Receipt.
During the 2024 and 2025 payroll calendar years, shift and non -shift employees performing at an acceptable or superior level are eligible to predesignate a cash - out or sell -back up to one hundred sixty (160) hours of vacation time at straight time on one occasion (minimum of .5 hours and max of 160 total hours) anytime during the payroll calendar year, so long as they have (after said cash -out) a minimum vacation balance of at least forty (40) hours on the books. This cash-out benefit shall be made in accordance with Section 5, Constructive Receipt.
The City will reinstate vacation accrual rates for previous years of service for former City employees who have completed twenty-six (26) pay periods and probationary period (if applicable) after returning to City employment.
16. SICK LEAVE
Sick leave will be granted to employees when they are incapacitated for the performance of duties by sickness, injury, or for medical, dental, or optical
Attachment A
examination or treatment, and a new full-time employee shall be eligible to use sick leave for bona fide illness as it is accumulated.
Each non-shift management employee will accumulate 3.69 hours of sick leave per payroll period with no maximum accumulation, and each shift fire manager [fifty- six (56) hour work week] will accumulate sick leave at the rate of 12.9 hours per month with no maximum accumulation.
An employee may use up to half of his/her annually accrued sick leave for family illness. The term "family" in this section shall be defined as anyone per California Labor Code Section 245.5 (c). Family illness in this regard shall be defined as when a child, spouse, or parent of the employee is ill and the nature of their condition requires that the employee provides care. Family Illness may also be used by an employee when s/he is responsible (primary care giver) for the care of said family member and said member is seeking medical, dental, or optical treatment. Fire shift managers may carry over from one payroll calendar year to the next, up to a maximum of 18.6 hours of unused family illness leave. At no time shall a fire shift manager have available more than ninety-six (96) hours of family illness leave per calendar year.
Unused sick leave at time of retirement, for which there is no compensation or remuneration at all to the employee, wil l be converted to additional service credit at the rate of 0.004 years of service credit for each full day, i.e. two hundred fifty (250) days of sick leave for one additional year of service credit. Sick leave hours will be converted to days in the following manner: The unused hours of sick leave for which there is no compensation or remuneration will be divided by eight (8). Any fraction of a day will not be counted toward service credit. There is no limit on the amount of accumulated sick leave tha t can be converted to service credit. PERS rules mandate that this benefit shall apply to members whose effective date of retirement is within four months of separation from employment and who retire after the effective date of this benefit in the agency's contract. For the purpose of reporting sick leave hours to PERS under the sick leave credit benefit option, sick leave hours shall be reduced only by the actual hours paid under the sick leave incentive program.
The City’s sick leave incentive program shall compensate employees at the rate of fifty (50) percent for all accrued sick leave beyond two hundred forty (240) hours to a maximum of one thousand six hundred (1,600) hours when the employee leaves City service upon regular retirement, disability retirement, or death.
The City shall retire an employee prior to the exhaustion of sick leave in conjunction with an industrial or non-industrial injury upon a determination that the employee's condition is permanent and stationary for disability retirement purposes. The employee's unused sick leave shall be compensated pursuant to the terms of the City's sick leave incentive program as described above. These provisions are intended to contravene Government Code Section 21025.2 insofar as it provides that an employee's disability retirement will not commence until all sick leave
Attachment A
benefits are exhausted.
The City will reinstate unused sick leave balances for former City employees upon receiving documented proof from the employee as to the amount of sick leave that was unused at the time of separation for said former City employee who has returned to City employment and has completed his/her probationary period.
17. BEREAVEMENT
Each non-shift management employee is eligible for up to five days per incident, and shift fire managers are eligible for up to four (4) shifts per calendar year, to be used for family bereavement leave charged to any accrued leave bank. The term “family” in this section shall be defined as anyone per California Labor Code Section 245.5 (c).
The above referenced bereavement leave will also apply to leave for reproductive loss event, defined as a failed adoption, failed surrogacy, miscarriage, stillbirth, or an unsuccessful assisted reproduction. If an employee experiences more than one reproductive loss event within a 12-month period, the employer is not obligated to grant a total amount of reproductive loss leave time in excess of 20 days within a 12-month period.
18. RETIREMENT
Tier III (PEPRA) employees – Police and Fire:
As defined under the Public Employee Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), public safety “non-classic” employees (aka new members) hired after January 1, 2013, shall be covered under the CalPERS 2.7% at 57 retirement benefit, based on the last thirty- six (36) months of employment (three -year average highest compensation), and the employees shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the total “normal” cost of the benefit (as determined by CalPERS annually) plus nine percent (9%) of the employer contribution, through a payroll de duction. Eligibility for other benefits provided to classic employees under this Resolution through CalPERS (as stated above) shall be determined by the provisions of PEPRA for “non -classic employees” aka new members.
Tier I employees – Police Only:
The City will provide the CalPERS 3% @ 50 retirement benefit, based on the single highest year (one -year final compensation) retirement formula for sworn police employees hired before July 1, 2011, with the City’s contribution to the employee’s share of retirement being nine percent (9%) and the City reporting to CalPERS the employer paid members contribution (EPMC) as special compensation for retirement purposes.
Tier 1 Unit Members shall contribute nine percent (9%) towards member contribution cost-sharing of the employer’s mandated CalPERS contribution, which shall be in accordance with Section 414(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code whereby the employee contributions shall be tax deferred.
Attachment A
Tier II employees – Police Only:
For classic sworn police employees hired on or after July 1, 2011, the City will provide the CalPERS 3% @ 55 retirement benefit, based on the last thirty-six (36) months of employment (three -year average highest compensation), and the employees shall be required to pay the entire members’ contribution plus nine percent (9%) of the employer contribution.
In addition to the above, the City will also provide all sworn police employees with the Pre-Retirement Option 2W Death Benefit.
Tier I employees – Fire Only:
The City will provide the CalPERS 3% @ 50 retirement benefit, based on the single highest year (one -year final compensation) retirement formula for sworn fire employees hired before July 1, 2011, with the City’s contribution to the employee’s share of retirement being nine percent (9%) and the City reporting to CalPERS the employer paid members contribution (EPMC) as special compensation for retirement purposes. In addition, the City will also provide said employees with the Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance.
Tier I U nit Members shall contribute eleven percent (11%) towards member contribution cost-sharing of the employer’s mandated CalPERS contribution, which shall be in accordance with Section 414(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code whereby the employee contributions shall be tax deferred.
Tier II employees – Fire Only:
For classic sworn fire employees hired on or after July 1, 2011, the City will provide the CalPERS 3% @ 55 retirement benefit, based on the last thirty-six (36) months of employment (three -year average highest compensation) . The City shall contribute the 9% statutory member contribution as EPMC and shall report the EPMC as special compensation to the extent permitted by CalPERS and applicable law.
Tier II employees shall contribute 15% in the form of cost sharing of the City’s required contribution to CalPERS under Government Code section 20516(a).
In addition to the above, the City will also provide all public safety managers with the CalPERS Section 21024 Military Service Credit as a public service benefit; the CalPERS credit for unused sick leave benefit (see Section 1 6); and the 1959 CalPERS Survivor Benefit Level 4 benefit.
19. DEFERRED RETIREMENT
The City agrees to provide an IRS approved 401(a) deferred compensation plan in addition to the current 457 deferred compensation plan.
20. UNIFORM ALLOWANCE
The City shall provide sworn Police management personnel with a pro -rated
Attachment A
uniform allowance of $15.38 per pay period for personal maintenance (cleaning and laundering) of uniforms.
The City also agrees to furnish and replace normally worn or damaged uniform items for the sworn Police management personnel. The standards and specifications of all police uniform items shall be determined by the Police Chief.
Replacement of worn or damaged police uniforms will be subject to inspection and approval by an employee's immediate supervisor.
The City agrees to provide Fire management personnel a pro -rated uniform allowance of $29.00 per pay period for personal maintenance (cleaning and laundering) of uniforms. The City also agrees to furnish and replace normally worn or damaged uniform items for Fire management personnel. The standards and specifications of all fire uniform items shall be determined by the Fire Chief.
Replacement of worn or damaged fi re uniforms will be subject to inspection and approval by an employee's immediate supervisor.
For “classic” sworn employees, as defined by PEPRA, for CalPERS purposes, the value of new and replacement uniforms will be determined by using the average per pay period cost of said uniforms for sworn personnel required per this Resolution to wear a uniform. The average cost will be calculated by using the annual fiscal year cost of uniforms for all eligible sworn personnel, dividing that annual cost by the num ber of eligible sworn personnel and dividing that result by the number of pay periods in the fiscal year. The per pay period average cost will be updated at the beginning of each payroll calendar year using the previous fiscal year’s cost.
21. MEDICAL INSURANCE
An employee shall be eligible for medical insurance upon his/her first day of employment. The effective date of coverage may vary for new employees based upon whether or not the required premium (necessary to pay for the medical insurance) was deducted in the month prior to the benefit commencing.
The City currently provides employee medical insurance through the CalPERS Public Employees’ Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA). As a condition of participation in the PEMHCA plan, the CalPERS Board determines an annual Minimum Employer Contribution (MEC). The City will contribute the MEC as required by the PEMHCA per month per employee to be used solely toward City - sponsored employee medical benefits. For 2026, the MEC is $162 per month.
In additi on to the above state d contribution, t he City shall provide a pro -rated monthly optional medical insurance contribution, regardless of the medical plan chosen, up to the amounts listed below at the times stated:
Employee Only $794.28
Employee plus one $1,750.56
Attachment A
Family $2,324.33
If this agreement is ratified and adopted by the City Council by December 2, 2025, these rates shall be effective retroactively to the pay period in which deductions are made for January 2024.
The City shall provide a pro-rated cash-in-lieu option to those employees hired before February 4, 2017, who do not elect to participate in the PEMHCA medical insurance plan provided they are in compliance with the below evidence of coverage provision. If an employee is in a paid status, is eligible to not participate in the PEMHCA medical insurance plan and elects the pro -rated cash -in-lieu option, the employee will receive $413 on a monthly basis while on the City payroll.
Should the City reach a signed agreement with Local 2020, SMPAMM, and/or SMPOA that results in the elimination of the cash-in-lieu for new hires, the parties agree to adjust the cash-in-lieu benefit to be consistent with the provisions adopted by other public safety groups.
To establish eligibility for the cash-in-lieu option, employees who do not elect to use the City-sponsored medical benefits shall provide evidence of major medical insurance coverage and sign a City provided form certifying that they have other continuing major medical insurance coverage in compliance with Federal and State law and regulations. Once eligibility has been established, to maintain continued eligibility to receive the cash-in-lieu option employees shall provide said documents prior to January 31st on an annual basis, or as requested by the City. The employee must notify the City within thirty (30) days of the loss of other minimum essential coverage. The cash-in-lieu option shall no longer be payable, if the employee and family members cease to be enrolled in other minimum essential coverage.
22. LIFE INSURANCE
The City will provide employees with life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance in the amount equal to one time their annual salary, up to a maximum of $150,000, upon his/her first day of employment. The employ ee will pay $0.53 bi - weekly for the above stated employee -only insurance benefit with the City paying the remainder of the premium.
23. DENTAL AND OPTICAL INSURANCE
Employees shall be eligible for dental and optical insurance upon his/her first day of employment, and the City shall pay the full cost of the monthly premiums for employee and family coverage. The dental benefit amount is $2,000 annually, and the City agrees to add posterior composite restoration to the current plan design.
24. POST-EMPLOYMENT HEALTH PLAN
The City will contribute $68 per bi-weekly pay period per employee toward a post- employment health plan.
In March 2024 an election was conducted, and it was concluded that for 2024 and
Attachment A
2025 calendar years, upon (any type of) separation, applicable accruals will be placed in the employees Post Employment Health Plan bank.
25. PROBATIONARY PERIOD
All original and promotional appointments shall be tentative and subject to a probationary period of twenty-six (26) pay periods of actual and continuous service.
26. FIRE DEPARTMENT ADMINSTRATIVE BATTALION CHIEF/TRAINING BATTALION CHIEF – PREMIUM PAY
Premium pay of ten percent (10%) shall commence on the first day of appointment to Department Training Officer and shall end on the last day of the appointment due to either the voluntary/involuntary reassignment to shift battalion chief, separation, or retirement. Premium pay shall be removed for any absences (except vacation) of ten (10) consecutive working days or more. If the Administrative Battalion Chief or Training Battalion Chief works in a suppression (shift) capacity, he or she will be paid the premium pay at the fifty-six (56)-hour rate.
27. LAYOFF
The layoff procedures for public safety managers shall be consistent with those of the Santa Maria Police Association of Middle Management (SMPAMM).
28. SERVICE CLUB PARTICIPATION
City recognizes the desirability of representation in and before local civic organizations that meet in the City of Santa Maria and are a benefit to the community. The City also encourages public safety managers to participate in said clubs (i.e., Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, etc.). In that regard, the City shall pay necessary expenses for dues and meals for said participation. The City will not reimburse employees for any service club -related fines or event costs (i.e. ticket purchases, auction items, etc.).
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria held this 2nd day of December 2025.
ATTEST:
________________________
Chief Deputy City Clerk
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Mayor
Attachment A
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
Chief Human
Resources Officer
City Manager
PSM
PLAN
Region 2
Plan
Code
Employee
Only
Premium
Your Mnthly
Cost
(after MEC &
Contribution)
Your bi-
weekly
cost
Plan
Code
Employee +
1 Dependent
Your Mnthly
Cost
(after MEC &
Contribution)
Your bi-
weekly
cost
Plan
Code
Employee +
2 Dependents
Your Mnthly
Cost
(after MEC &
Contribution)
Your bi-
weekly
cost
Anthem Traditional HMO 4071 1,158.26 201.98 100.99$ 4072 2,316.52 403.96 201.98$ 4073 3,011.48 525.15 262.58$ Blue Shield Access 3041 1,052.89 96.61 48.31$ 3042 2,105.78 193.22 96.61$ 3043 2,737.51 251.18 125.59$ PERS Gold 6141 956.28 - -$ 6142 1,912.56 - -$ 6143 2,486.33 - -$ PERS Platinum 6021 1,426.24 469.96 234.98$ 6022 2,852.48 939.92 469.96$ 6023 3,708.22 1,221.89 610.95$ PORAC* 2071 1,057.00 100.72 50.36$ 2072 2,127.00 214.44 107.22$ 2073 2,708.00 221.67 110.84$ The Minimum Employer Contribution (MEC) is only applicable toward City-sponsored health plans. The MEC for 2026 is anticipated to be: $162.00 Employee Only 794.28$
Employee +1 1,750.56$
Employee +2 2,324.33$
413.00$
*Employees hired after February 4, 2017 are not eligible to receive 'Cash-in-lieu' option.
Dental Monthly Premium (Standard Ins Co) Vision Monthly Premium (VSP) Your Cost City Cost Your Cost City Cost
Employee Only - $ 49.36 Employee Only - $ 8.54 Employee & Family - $ 122.00 Employee + 1 - $ 13.25 Employee + 2 -$ 21.02
Evidence of health insurance coverage will be required for those employees who elect not to use City sponsored health insurance and receive the 'cash-in-lieu' option. These employees must provide evidence of insurance and sign form HBD-12 declaring that they have other health insurance coverage. The HBD-12 form can be found on the City Intranet.
CalPERS Health Plan Rates 2026
Effective: 01/01/26 - 12/31/26
**Bi-Weekly & Monthly Cost**
* Association Plan
Please note, the rates listed above are for “Region 2” as defined by CalPERS. Included in this area are both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, however, if you live elsewhere, your rates may vary. Please visit the CalPERS website for more information.
Full-Time Employee
Cash-in-lieu Option (No MEC)*
OPTIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRIBUTION
In addition to the aforementioned MEC amount, the following are the current optional monthly health insurance contributions afforded to employees. These contributions may change based on negotiations or established provisions in the Resolution. 9/11/2025
Attachment B
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Chenin Dow, Community Development Director
DATE: December 2, 2025
SUBJECT: Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-05 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
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will waive the second reading and adopt O rdinance No. 2025-05, 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.
BACKGROUND:
At its regular meeting held on November 4, 2025 , the City Council introduced Ordinance No. 2025-05, amending portions of Chapters 9 -04 through 9-76 of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal C ode concerning Building and Fire Code regulations and amending the previously adopted 2024 Internation al Property Maintenance Code.
This constitutes the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-05. This ordinance becomes effective 30 days after City Council adoption.
DISCUSSION:
This item constitutes a regular update of the California Building Code, which occurs based on the State of California’s updates every three years.
There are no significant changes to the 2025 California Building Code. Ch anges focus on enhancing safety, such as a new requirement for protection of stairway exterior walls a nd 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, 2026.
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, and 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 on 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 No. 2025-05
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-05
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
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
WHEREAS, the State of California has recently adopted new building codes which will become effective on January 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, these Codes include the 2025 California Building Code, 2025 California Historical Building Code, 2025 California Mechanical Code, 2025 California Residential Code, 2025 California Existing Building Code, 2025 California Energy Code, 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, 2025 California Electrical Code, 2025 California Plumbing Code, and the 2025 California Fire Code; and
WHEREAS, if a city elects to adopt these new codes, standards set forth in them can be amended with changes based on local climatological, topographic , and geographic conditions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that such conditions exist and are identified in the Safety Element of the City’s General Plan , and the following additional conditions exist locally which require that amendments be made to the 2025 State Building Codes in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare:
The City’s groundwater contains high concentrations of minerals and solids, necessitating regulation of discharges that become return flows to the City’s wastewater treatment plant; and
Santa Barbara County is an area of high fire risk, and the City regularly experiences high wind conditions necessitating special controls on roofing and enhanced fire protection measures; and
The Santa Maria area has several active seismic faults and soils which are subject to liquefaction necessitating special structural regulations and erosion-control measures; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City of Santa Maria to enact the 2025 State Building and Fire Codes with the amendments; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to update and improve the sections of its Municipal Code which relate to property maintenance; and
WHEREAS, the City intends to revise minor portions of the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code that it previously adopted as described below.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, State of California, as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 9-04, Building Code, of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code are hereby amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9-04 BUILDING CODE
Section 9-04.010. California Building Codes, 2025 Edition, Adopted.
The provisions of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, including Appendices C, F, G, H, I, and J, as published by the International Code Council, and subsequent Editions which incorporate by reference the 2024 Edition of the International Building Code with necessary California amendments as adopted by the State of California, Building Standards Commission or successor agency, are adopted by reference subject to the additions and amendments set forth in this Chapter. Unless repealed, references in City forms, documents, and regulations, to former provisions of Title 9, Chapter 9 -1, Articles 1 and 2, of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code shall be construed to apply to the corresponding provisions of current Title 9, Chapters 9 -04 through 9 -64 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code.
Section 9-04.020. Section 105 of Chapter 1 Amended: Permits Required: Buildings or Structures; Paving Striping, Signage and Exempted Work.
Subsection 105.1 of Section 105 of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding one (1) sentence to the end to read as follows:
“Building permits shall be required for all paving, repaving, resurfacing or slurry, striping, re-striping and signage or re-signage of parking spaces in parking lots and structures in both publicly and privately funded public, commercial, or common use facilities.”
Subsection 105.2 of Section 105 of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing Building: items 1, 2, & 4 to read as follows:
(1) One-story detached accessory buildings us ed as tool and storage sheds, playhouses , and similar uses, and constructed on a parcel approved for the construction of one detached single-family dwelling provided:
(A) The floor area does not exceed one hundred twenty (120) square feet. (B) The maximum height above adjacent grade shall not exceed eight feet (8′). (C) The maximum ceiling height shall not exceed seven feet (7′). (D) The maximum length-to-width ratio of the building shall not exceed two to one (2:1). (E) The building shall not be located closer than five feet (5′) from any other building on the site. (F) Electrical, plumbing, or mechanical installations are prohibited. (G) Accessory buildings must be located behind the front wall of the dwelling unit and screened by a six- foot (6’) fence or wall.
(H) The number of exempt accessory buildings shall be limited to two (2). (2) Wood, chain link, or similar fences not over 6 feet high, except those fences which include masonry or similar pilasters.
(3) Retaining or garden walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids.
Section 9-04.030. Subsection 105.4 of Chapter 1 Amended: Expiration.
Section 105.4 of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended in its entirety as follows.
105.4 Expiration. Every permit issued shall remain valid for a period of 365 days after issuance. The Building Official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each.
The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.
Section 9-04.040. Subsection 109.2.1 of Chapter 1 Added: Fees.
Subsection 109.2 of Section 109 of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding subsection 109.2.1 through 109.2.3 to read as follows:
109.2.1 Fees.
(1) General. Fees shall be assessed in accordance with the provisions of this Section or shall be as set forth in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges. (2) Strong Motion Instrumentation Program (SMIP) Fees . In addition to all other permit fees a fee equal to .013% of the valuation for residential structures and .028% of the valuation for non -residential structures, or current fees set by the State of California, shall be paid to the Building Official as required by the State of California Resources Code for the strong motion instrumentation and seismic hazard mapping programs. (3) Scanning Fees provided for in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges within the Santa Maria Municipal Code shall be paid to the Building Official at the time of issuance of the building permit. (4) Certificate of Occupancy and Temporary Certificate of Occupancy Fee. A fee provided for in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges, will be paid to the Building Official for the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for any occupancy classification or for the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy when no building permit has been issued. (5) Appeal Hearing Fee as noted in Sec. 9-04.080 of this Code. (6) Fee for the installation of a mobile home for commercial or industrial use is the same as the maximum permitted for residential mobile homes in Section 1020 of Title 25 pursuant to Health & Safety Code Sec. 18613(f). (7) Inspections of buildings to determine their compliance with applicable Codes or regulations will be conducted upon receipt by the Building Official a written request for such inspection from the property owner or authorized representative and upon payment of a fee for such inspection and investigation based upon the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges, for each hour or fraction thereof of inspection or investigation time.
The minimum fee shall be for one hour of inspection.
(8) Reduction of permit fees for duplicate residential buildings: In dwelling construction only, where a master set of plans, including a master plot plan is submitted in application for one (1) or more building permits for duplicate buildings, an initia l plan check fee for each different building design shall be charged as specified in this Section. Fees to be charged are as set forth in the current City of Santa Maria schedule of Fees and Charges:
(A) Model home plan check fees are subject to “Custom Dwelling” fees. (B) Duplicate home permit fees are subject to “Production Tract Dwellings” fees. (9) “Express” Plan Review Fee: shall be charged for expedited phasing of the plan review in accordance with the City’s Express Plan Review Policy and the additional fee shall be equal to the full plan review fee.
109.2.2 Special Investigation Fees: Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this Code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, may be imposed subject to the discretion of the Building Official whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall not exceed the amount of all permit fees required by this Code for the unpermitted work. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this Code nor from any penalty prescribed by law.
109.2.3 Fee adjustments by resolution. Authorized. The fees provided for in Section 109 shall be established and amended by City Council resolution.
Section 9-04.070. Subsection 109.6 of Chapter 1 Amended: Refunds.
Subsection 109.6 of Section 109 of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
109.6 Refunds. The Building Official may authorize refunding of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected. The Building Official may authorize refunding of not more than 80 percent of the permit application fee when an application for a permit is withdrawn or canceled before any plan review is done. The Building Official shall not authorize refunding of any fee paid except on written application filed by the original applicant not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.
Section 9-04.080. Section 113 of Chapter 1 Amended: Board of Appeals Hearing Fee and Special Purpose Members.
Section 113 of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
113.0 Board of Appeals
113.1 General. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the Building Official relative to the application and interpretations of this Code, there shall be and is hereby created a Board of Appeals consisting of members who are qualified by experience and training to pass upon matters pertaining to building construction and who are not employees of the jurisdiction. The Building Official shall be an ex officio member and shall act as secretary to said Boards but shall have no vote upon any matter before the Board. The Board of Appeals shall be appointed by the City Council and shall hold office at its pleasure. The Board shall adopt rules of procedure for conducting its business and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the appellant with a duplicate copy to the Building Official.
113.2 Limitations of Authority. The Board of Appeals shall have no authority relative to interp retation of the administrative provisions of this Code, nor shall the Board be empowered to waive requirements of this Code. 113.3 Appeal hearing fee. A fee, as provided in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges, shall accompany an application for a hearing before the Board of Appeals. 113.4 Special purposes members. For the purpose of appeals to the standards of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations affecting accommodations for persons with disabilities, two (2) members shall be added who shall have a disability as defined by Section 202 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition.
Section 9-04.090. Subsection 114.4 of Chapter 1 Amended: Violation and Penalties.
Subsection 114.4 of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
114.4 Violation and penalties.
114.4.1 Violations. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any building or structure in the City, or cause or permit the same to be done in violation of this Code. 114.4.2 Violation penalties. Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this Code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment as set forth in Title 1, Chapter 6 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code. Furthermore, each separate day or any portion thereof, during which any violation of this Code occurs or continues, shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense.
Section 9-04.100. Subsection 116.6 of Chapter 1 Added: Safety Assessment Placards.
Section 116 of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding new subsection 116.6 to read as follows:
116.6 Safety Assessment Placards.
116.6.1 Intent. This Section establishes standard placards to be used to indicate the condition of a structure for continued occupancy. The Section further authorizes the Building Official or designee to post the appropriate placard at each entry point to a building or structure upon completion of a safety assessment. 116.6.2 Placards. The Building Official shall develop and maintain building safety assessment placard forms. 116.6.2.1 Descriptions. The following are verbal descriptions of the official jurisdiction placards to be used to designate the condition for continued occupancy of buildings or structures.
INSPECTED – Lawful Occupancy Permitted is to be posted on any building or structure wherein no apparent structural hazard has been found. This placard is not intended to mean that there is no damage to the building or structure.
RESTRICTED USE is to be posted on each building or structure that has been damaged wherein the damage has resulted in some form of restriction to the continued use or occupancy. The individual who posts this placard will note in general terms the type of damage encountered and will clearly and concisely note the restrictions on continued use or occupancy.
UNSAFE – Do Not Enter or Occupy is to be posted on each building or structure that has been damaged such that continued use or occupancy poses a threat to life safety. Buildings or structures posted with this placard shall not be entered under any circumstance except as authorized in writing by the Building Official or designee. Safety
assessment teams shall be authorized to enter these buildings at any time. This placard is not to be used or considered as a demolition order. The individual who posts this placard will note in general terms the type of damage encountered. 116.6.2.2 Additional information on placards. This ordinance number, right of appeal, the name of the jurisdiction, its address, and phone number shall be permanently affixed to each placard. 116.6.2.3 Removal. Once it has been attached to a building or structure, a placard is not to be removed, altered , or covered until done so by an authorized representative of the Building Official. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to alter, remove, cover or deface a placard unless authorized pursuant to this Section.
Section 9-04.110. Section 502.1 Amended: Address Identification.
Subsection 502.1 of Section 502 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing it with Section 9-3.505.1 of this Code.
Section 9-04.120. Subsection 901.8 Added: Application.
Section 901 of Chapter 9 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding a new subsection 901.8 to read as follows:
901.8 Application. Where there is conflict between any requirement of this Chapter and any requirement of the Fire Prevention Chapter of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code, the most restrictive shall govern.
Section 9-04.130. Chapter 15 Amended: Reroofing.
Chapter 15 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing Section 1511 in its entirety with Sections 1511.1 through 1511.7 and Table A-15-A, to read as follows:
Section 1511 - REROOFING
Section 1511.1— GENERAL
All reroofing shall conform to the applicable provisions of Chapter 15 of this Code and as otherwise required in this chapter. Roofing materials and methods of application shall comply with the ap proved standards or shall follow manufacturer’s installation requirements when approved by the Building Official.
Section 1511.2— INSPECTION AND WRITTEN APPROVAL
1511.2.1 Written Approval Required. New roofing shall not be applied without first obtaining written approval from the Building Official. The Building Official may allow existing roof coverings to remain when an inspection or other evidence reveals all of the following:
1. The roof structure is sufficient to sustain the weight of the additional de ad load of the new roofing.
2. The roof deck is structurally sound.
3. Roof drains and drainage are sufficient to prevent extensive accumulation of water.
4. The existing roofing is securely attached to the deck.
5. Existing insulation is not water soaked.
6. Fire-retardant requirements are maintained.
1511.2.2 Required Inspections. New roof coverings shall not be applied without first conducting a pre -roofing inspection verifying that the existing roofing meets all the conditions in Section 1511.2.1 The pr e-roofing inspection shall pay particular attention to evidence of accumulation of water. Where extensive ponding of water is apparent, an analysis of the roof structure for proper drainage shall be made and corrective measures, such as relocation of roof drains or scuppers, re-sloping of the roof or structural changes shall be made. Extensive ponding shall be considered areas that retain water for more than forty-eight (48) hours after the rain has stopped or as per roofing manufacturer’s recommendation. An inspection report attesting to the adequacy of the roof structure, as reasonably determined from a visual inspection by a special inspector or licensed roofing contractor, prepared and signed by the same, may be required by the Building Official. Additi onally, after the pre -roofing inspection and prior to applying a new roof covering, a building permit shall be obtained from the Building Official. A final inspection and approval shall be obtained from the Building Official when the reroofing is complete. 1511.2.3 - Repairs. A building permit shall not be required for roofing repairs that do not exceed ten percent (10%) of the building’s roof area. This Section shall not include the roof sheathing or structural supporting elements.
Section 1511.3 — REROOFING OVERLAYS ALLOWED
1511.3.1 General. No roof shall have in any combination more than that allowed in Table A -15-A. Roofing conforming to Section 1503 overlaid on existing roofing shall comply with the provisions of this Section and manufacturer’s installation requirements as an overlay when approved by the Building Official. 1511.3.2 Overlay on Existing Built-up Roofs. The Building Official may allow reroofing over existing built-up roofing when the conditions specified in Section 1515.1 have been m et. When an existing built -up roof has been removed and prior to application of new roofing on a nailable deck that has residual bitumen, rosin-sized or other dry sheet shall be installed. Prior to the application of any reroofing, the existing surface sha ll be prepared as follows:
1. Gravel-surfaced roofing. Not more than one overlay shall be approved over an existing built -up roof. The existing built-up roof shall be cleaned of all loose gravel and debris. All blisters, buckles, and other irregularities shall be cut and made smooth and secure. On nonnailable decks, minimum 3/8 -inch (9.5 mm) insulation board shall be securely cemented to the existing roofing with hot bitumen after the existing surface has been adequately primed. On nailable decks, a rosin -sized or other dry sheet shall be installed , and a base sheet shall be mechanically fastened in place.
2. Smooth or cap-sheet surface. Not more than one overlay shall be applied over an existing built-up roof. All blisters, buckles, and other irregularities of existing built-up roof shall be cut and made smooth and secure. On non - nailable decks, a base sheet shall be spot cemented to the existing roof. On nailable decks, a base sheet shall be mechanically fastened in place and where residual materials on the existing surface may cause the new base sheet to adhere to the old roof, a rosin-sized or other dry sheet shall be installed under the new base sheet.
3. Intersecting walls. All concrete and masonry walls shall be completely cleaned and primed to receive new flashing. All other walls shall have the surface finish material removed to a minimum height of six inches (152 mm) above the new roof deck surface to receive new roofing and flashing. All rotted wood shall be replaced with new material. Surface finish material shall be replaced or reinstalled.
4. Parapets. Parapets of area separation walls shall have noncombustible faces, including counterflashing and coping materials.
EXCEPTION: Combustible roofing may extend 7 inches (178 mm) above the roof surface.
5. Cant strips. Where space permits, cant strips shall be installed at all angles. All angles shall be flashed with at least two more layers than in the new roof with an exposed finish layer of inorganic felt or mineral surfaced cap sheet.
6. Asphalt and wood shingle application. Not more than one overlay of asphalt shingles shall be applied over one existing built-up roof on structures with a slope of 2 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (16.7% slope) or greater.
Not more than one overlay of wood shingles shall be applied over one existing built-up roof on structures with a slope of 3 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (25% slope) or greater. The existing built -up roof shall have all surfaces cleaned of gravel and debris, all blisters and irregulariti es cut and made smooth and secure, and an underlayment of not less than Type 30 nonperforated felt shall be installed prior to reroofing.
7. Spray-applied polyurethane foam application . Spray-applied polyurethane foam may be applied directly to existing built-up roofing systems when the completed assembly is a Class A, B, or C fire-retardant roofing assembly and complies with Section 2603.6. When applied on a fire -resistive roof-ceiling assembly, the completed assembly shall also comply with Section 711. Ba se sheets or dry sheets are not required over existing surfaces when applying spray polyurethane foam roofing systems. Miscellaneous materials such as adhesives, elastomeric caulking compounds, metal, vents, and drains shall be a composite part of the roof system. 1511.3.3 Overlay on Existing Wood Roofs or Asphalt Shingle Roofs. The Building Official may allow reroofing over existing wood shingle roofing or asphalt shingle roofing. Only fire -retardant roofing assemblies or noncombustible roof covering may b e applied over existing wood shake roofs in accordance with the listing or manufacturer’s installation requirements when approved by the Building Official. When the application of new roofing over existing wood shingle or wood shake roofs creates a combust ible concealed space, the entire existing surface shall be covered with gypsum board, mineral fiber, glass fiber or other approved materials securely fastened in place. Hip and ridge cover on an existing shake or shingle roofing shall be removed prior to reroofing application.
Roofing overlays may be installed in accordance with the following:
1. Asphalt shingles. Not more than two overlays of asphalt shingles shall be applied over an existing asphalt or wood shingle roof. Asphalt shingles applied over wood shingles shall not have less than Type 30 nonperforated felt underlayment installed prior to reroofing.
2. Wood shakes. Not more than one overlay of wood shakes shall be applied over an existing asphalt shingle or wood shingle roofing on structures with a slope of 4 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33% slope) or greater.
One layer of 18-inch (457 mm), Type 30 nonperforated felt shall be shingled between each course in such a manner that no felt is exposed to the weather below the shake butts.
3. Wood shingles. Not more than one overlay of wood shingles shall be applied over existing wood or asphalt shingles. Wood shingles applied over asphalt shingles shall not have less than Type 30 nonperforated felt underlayment installed prior to reroofing.
Section 1511.4 – TILE
Tile may be applied to roofs with a slope of 4 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33% slope) or greater over existing roof coverings in accordance with Table A-15-A. Such installations shall be substantiated by a report prepared by an engineer or architect licensed by the state to practice as such, indicating that the existing or modified framing system is adequate to support the covering. Tile shall be applied in accordance with the original manufacturer’s specifications or when the original manufacturer’s specifications are no longer available, in accordance with Section 1507.3. Tile may be repaired to match the prior installation except for clay and terra-cotta hips and ridge tile shall be reinstalled with Portland cement mortar.
Section 1511.5 — METAL ROOF COVERING
Metal roof covering may be applied over existing roofing in accordance with Table A-15-A. Reroofing with metal roof covering shall be in accordance with the original manufacturer’s specifications or when the original manufacturer’s specifications are no longer available as required by Section 1507.4.
Section 1511.6 — OTHER ROOFING
Reroofing with systems not covered elsewhere in this Code, such as, but not limited to, those that are fluid applied or applied as non asphaltic sheets shall be done with materials and procedures approved by the Building Official.
Section 1511.7 — FLASHING AND EDGING
Missing, rusted or damaged flashing and counterflashing, vent caps, and metal edging shall be installed or replaced with new materials. When existing built -up roofs remain, vent flashing, metal edging, drain outlets, metal counterflashing and collars shall be removed and cleaned. All metal allowed to be reinstalled shall be primed prior to reroofing installation. Collars and flanges shall be flashed per the roofing manufacturer’s instructions.
TABLE A-15-A—ALLOWABLE REROOFS OVER EXISTING ROOFING
(Inspection and Written Approval Required Prior to Application)
EXISTING
ROOFING
NEW OVERLAY ROOFING
Built
Up
Wood
Shake
Wood
Shingle
Asphalt
Shingle Tile Roof
Metal
Roof
Modified
Bitumen
Spray
Polyurethane
Foam
Built Up
Yes NP Yes (3:12) Yes (2:12)
Yes
(2.5:12) Yes Yes Yes
Wood Shakel NP NP NP NP Yes2 Yes2 NP NP
Wood
Shingle1 NP
Yes3
(4:12) Yes4 Yes4 Yes2 Yes2 NP NP
Asphalt
Shingle1 NP
Yes3
(4:12)
Yes4
(3:12) Yes
Yes
(2.5:12) Yes Yes NP
Asphalt over
Wood NP NP NP Yes Yes2 Yes2 Yes NP
Asphalt over
Asphalt NP NP NP Yes Yes Yes Yes NP
Tile Roof NP NP NP NP NP NP NP NP
Metal Roof NP NP NP NP NP Yes NP NP
Modified
Bitumen Yes NP Yes (3:12) Yes
Yes
(2.5:12) Yes Yes NP
NP = Not Permitted.
Note: (Minimum Roof Slope)
1 See Section 1507.8 for specific requirements.
2 Board and batten leveling system must be fire stopped in accordance with Section 718.2.6. 3 One layer 18-inch (457 mm) Type 30 nonperforated felt interlaced between shake courses required. 4 Type 30 nonperforated felt underlayment required for reroofing.
Section 9-04.140. Subsection 1704.1 Amended: Special Inspections and Tests, Contractor Responsibility and Structural Observation.
Subsection 1704.1 of Chapter 17 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding one (1) sentence to the end of the Section to read as follows:
City of Santa Maria approved Special Inspection and Observation Certificates, or equivalent, as provided for in the City of Santa Maria’s “Special Inspection and Observation Manual” are to be completed by the owner or the registered design professional in responsible charge for inclusion with the construction permit an d City records.
Section 9-04.150. Subsection 1808.7 Added: Foundation Elevation.
Subsection 1808.7 of Section 1808 of Chapter 18 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding new subsections 1808.7.4 to read as follows:
1808.7.4 Foundation Elevation. The top of any exterior foundation shall extend above the elevation of the street gutter at point of discharge or the inlet of an approved drainage device a minimum of 12 inches plus 1 percent.
Alternate elevations are permitted subject to the approval of the Building Official, provided it can be demonstrated that required drainage to the point of discharge and away from the structure is provided at all locations on the site. 1808.7.4.1 Finish floor elevation and lot drainage. Every residential building shall be constructed so as to have the elevation of the lowest finished floor, excepting for basements, at least sixteen inches (16”) above the top of City street curb where the lot drainage discharges except where a designed drainage plan may otherwise be approved by the Building Official. All lots shall be graded and maintained so that they drain to the street or public way on which they abut or shall be provided with approved drainage devices.
Section 9-04.160. Appendix H Amended: Signs.
The following Sections of Appendix H of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, are hereby deleted in their entirety: Sections H101.2 Signs Exempt from permits, H108 Animated Devices, and H110 Roof Signs.
Section 9-04.170. Section H116 of Appendix H Added: Removal of Unlawful Signs.
Appendix H of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding the following Section H116 to read as follows:
H116 Removal of Unlawful Signs. If after thirty (30) days’ notice to remove an unlawful sign t o the owner or occupant of the property on which any unlawful sign is situated, the said unlawful sign is neither removed nor made to confirm to this Code, the City shall be entitled to cause the unlawful sign to be removed from said owner or occupant and to recover from said owner or occupant the reasonable cost of removing such unlawful sign. Said notice may be given by mail to the owner or occupant of the property.
Section 9-04.180. Section I103.1 of Appendix I Amended: Patio Covers.
Section I103.1 of Appendix I of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
I103.1 Exterior Walls and Openings. Enclosure walls shall be permitted to be of any configuration, provided the open or glazed area of the longer wall and one additional wall is equal to not less than fifty percent (50%) of the area below a minimum of six feet eight inches (6’8”) of each wall, measured from the floor. Openings shall be permitted to be enclosed with insect screening, tempered or safety gl azing. XO type sliding windows glazed with safety or non -safety materials of approved thickness may be installed in non -hazardous areas as defined by the California Building Code. Fifty percent (50%) of all the above opening covers shall be readily removable without the use of any special knowledge or tools.
Section 9-04.190. Section J103 of Appendix J Amended: Exemptions.
Subsection J103.2 of Appendix J of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding items 8 & 9 as follows:
(8) An excavation that (1) is less than 2 feet in depth or (2) does not create a cut slope greater than 5 feet in height and steeper than 1 unit vertical in 1 ½ units horizontal (66.7% slope).
(9) A fill less than 1 foot in depth and placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter than 1 unit vertical in 5 units horizontal (20% slope), or less than 3 feet in depth, not intended to support structures, that does not exceed 50 cubic yards on any one lot and does not obstruct a drainage course.
Section 9-04.200. Section J105 of Appendix J Added: Grading Inspections.
Appendix J of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding a new Subsection J105.3 to read as follows:
J105.3 Grading Work Progress Verifications. On all construction projects on private property where an approved grading plan designed by a civil engineer is evident, the designer or authorized delegate shall certify in writing to the Building Official the accuracy of the progress of the grading work as follows:
(1) At the time the building pads have been graded in preparation for building foundations and prior to any approval by the Building Official for the commencement of any building foundation work on the pads, the grading design engineer or authorized delegate shall certify to the Buil ding Official that the lot boundaries have been clearly identified on the site; the graded pad elevations are as shown on the approved grading plan; the buildings are located in conformance with the approved site plan.
(2) Prior to the approval of the Grading Plans, the licensed civil engineer, land surveyor or architect shall complete and sign the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) certificate and certify that the information in the certificate represents the best efforts to interpret the data available. If the project is not in an A -Zone and not subject to Base Flood Elevation requirements, the applicable zone shall be noted. The licensed professional filling out the FEMA/FIRM Cer tificate shall also sign as part of the certificate an affidavit stating that he understands that any false statement may be punishable by fine or imprisonment under 18 U.S.
Code Section 1001.
(3) At the conclusion of the final grading work on the site and prior to approval by the Building Official of any final inspection or occupancy of any building on the site, the grading design engineer shall either certify to the Building Official that he has inspected the site finished grading work and has found it to have been completed in conformance with the approved grading plan, or the grading design engineer or authorized delegate shall furnish to the Building Official an as -built grading plan design for approval indicating that the grading work as completed will meet all applicable regulations. In addition, the grading design engineer shall certify that the finished grading is in compliance with the City of Santa Maria Flood Plain Management Ordinance and the National Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
SECTION 2. Chapter 9-8, Residential Code, Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9-08 RESIDENTIAL CODE
Section 9-08.010. California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, Adopted.
The provisions of the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, including Appendices H, K, and V as published by the International Code Council, and subsequent Editions as adopted by the State of California, Building Standards Commission, or successor agency are adopted by reference, subject to the additions and amendments set forth in this Chapter.
Section 9-08.020. Section R105.2 of Chapter 1 Amended: Work Exempt from Permit.
Subsection R105.2 of Section R105 of Chapter 1 of the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing Building: items 1, 2 & 3 to read as follows:
(1) One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses , and similar uses, and constructed on a parcel approved for the construction of one detached, single-family dwelling provided:
(A) The floor area does not exceed one hundred twenty (120) square feet. (B) The maximum height above adjacent grade shall not exceed eight feet (8′). (C) The maximum ceiling height shall not exceed seven feet (7′). (D) The maximum length-to-width ratio of the building shall not exceed two to one (2:1). (E) The building shall not be located closer than five feet (5′) from any other building on the site. (F) Electrical, plumbing, or mechanical installations are prohibited.
(G) Accessory buildings must be located behind the front wall of the dwelling unit and screened by a six - foot (6’) fence or wall.
(H) The number of exempt accessory buildings shall be limited to two (2). (2) Wood, chain link, or similar fences not over six- (6’) feet high, except those fences which include masonry or similar pilasters.
(3) Retaining or garden walls that are not over four- (4’) feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids.
Section 9-08.030. Subsection R105.5 of Chapter 1 Amended: Expiration.
Section R105.5 of Chapter 1 of the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, is amended in its entirety as follows.
R105.5 Expiration. Every permit issued shall remain valid for a period of 365 days after issuance. The Building Official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each.
The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.
Section 9-08.040. Subsection R108.2.1 of Chapter 1 Added: Fees.
Subsection R108.2 of Section R108 of Chapter 1 of the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding subsections 108.2.1 through R108.2.3 to read as follows:
R108.2.1 Fees.
(1) General. Fees shall be assessed in accordance with the provisions of this Section or shall be as set forth in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges. (2) Strong Motion Instrumentation Program (SMIP) Fees. In addition to all other permit fees a fee equal to .013% of the valuation for residential structures and .028% of the valuation for non-residential structures, or current fees set by the State of California, shall be paid to the Building Official as required by the State of California Resources Code for the strong motion instrumentation and seismic hazard mapping programs. (3) Scanning Fees provided for in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges within the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code shall be paid to the Building Official at the time of issuance of the building permit. (4) Certificate of Occupancy and Temporary Certificate of Occupancy Fee. A fee provided for in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges, will be paid to the Building Official for the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for any occupanc y classification or for the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy when no building permit has been issued. (5) Appeal Hearing Fee as noted in Sec. 9-1.203 of this ordinance. (6) Fee for the installation of a mobilehome for commercial or industrial use is the same as the maximum permitted for residential mobilehomes in Section 1020 of Title 25 pursuant to Health & Safety Code Sec. 18613 (f). (7) Inspections of buildings to determine their compliance with applicable Codes or regulations will be conducted upon receipt by the Building Official a written request for such inspection from the property owner or authorized representative and upon payment of a fee for such inspection and investigation based upon the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Ch arges, for each hour or fraction thereof of inspection or investigation time.
The minimum fee shall be for one hour of inspection.
(8) Reduction of permit fees for duplicate residential buildings. In dwelling construction only, where a master set of plans, including a master plot plan is submitted in the application for one (1) or more building permits for duplicate buildings, an initial plan check fee for each different building design shall be charged as specified in this Section. Fees to be charged are as set forth in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges:
(A) Model home plan check fees are subject to “Custom Dwelling” fees. (B) Duplicate home permit fees are subject to “Production Tract Dwellings” fees. (9) “Express” Plan Review Fe e: shall be charged for expedited phasing of the plan review in accordance with the City’s Express Plan Review Policy and the additional fee shall be equal to the full plan review fee which is 43 percent of the building permit fee.
R108.2.2 Special Investigation Fees: Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this Code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, may be imposed subject to the discretion of the Building Official whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall not exceed the amount of all permit fees required by this Code for the unpermitted work. The payment of such investigation fee shall
not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this Code nor from any penalty prescribed by law.
R108.2.3 Fee adjustments by resolution. Authorized. The fees provided for in Section R108 shall be established and amended by City Council resolution.
Section 9-08.050. Subsection R108.5 of Chapter 1 Amended: Refunds.
Subsection R108.5 of Section R108 of Chapter 1 of the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
R108.5 Refunds. The Building Official may authorize refunding of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected. The Building Official may authorize refunding of not more than 80 percent of the permit application fee when an application for a permit is withdrawn or canceled before any plan review is done. The Building Official shall not authorize refunding of any fee paid except on written application filed by the original applicant n ot later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.
Section 9-08.060. Section R112 Amended: Board of Appeals.
Section R112 of Chapter 1 of the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by substituting Section 9-04.080 in its place in its entirety.
Section 9-08.070. Subsection R113.4 of Chapter 1 Amended: Violation and Penalties.
Subsection R113.4 of Section R113 of Chapter 1 of the California Residential Code is a mended by substituting Section 9-04.090 of this Code in its place in its entirety.
Section 9-08.080. Subsection R116.6 of Chapter 1 Added: Safety Assessment Placards.
Section R116 of Chapter 1 of the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding new subsection R116.6 to read as follows:
The provisions of the California Plumbing Code 2016 Edition and Appendices A, B, D, E, G, H, I, J, K, and subsequent editions as adopted by the State of California, Building Standards Commission or succ essor agency, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, are adopted by reference, subject to the additions and amendments set forth in this Chapter.
Section 9-08.090. Section R319 Amended: Address Identification.
Section R319 of Chapter 3 of the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing Section 9-
3.505.1 of this Code.
Section 9-08.100. Section R403.1.7.3 Amended: Foundation Elevation.
Section R403.1.7.3 of the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by substituting Section 9-04.150 of this Code in its place in its entirety.
Section 9-08.110. Section AH1032 of Appendix H Amended: Patio Covers.
Section AH103.1 of Appendix H of the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by substituting Section 9-04.180 of this Code in its place in its entirety.
SECTION 3. Chapter 9-12, Historical Building Code, of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9-12 HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE
Section 9-12.010. California Historical Building Code, 2025 Edition, Adopted.
The provisions of the California Historical Building Code, 2025 Edition, as published by the California Building Standards Commission, and subsequent Editions adopted by the State of California, Building Standards Commission or successor agency, are adopted by reference, subject to the additions and amendments set forth in this chapter.
SECTION 4. Chapter 9-16, Existing Building Code, of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby amended read as follows:
CHAPTER 9-16 EXISTING BUILDING CODE
Section 9-16.010. California Existing Building Code, 2025 Edition, Adopted.
The provisions of the California Existing Building Code, 2025 Edition, including Appendix Chapter A1, as published by the California Building Standards Commission, and subsequent Editions adopted by the State of California, Building Standards Commission or successor agency, are adopted by reference subject to the additions and amendments set forth in this Chapter.
SECTION 5. Chapter 9-20, Energy Code, of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9-20 ENERGY CODE
Section 9-20.010. California Energy Code, 2025 Edition, Adopted.
The provisions of the California Energy Code, 2025 Edition, as published by the California Building Standards Commission, and subsequent Editions as adopted by the State of California, Building Standards Commission or successor agency, are adopted by reference, subject to the additions and amendments set forth in this Chapter.
SECTION 6. Chapter 9-24, Green Building Code, of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9-24 GREEN BUILDING CODE
Section 9-24.010. California Green Building Standards Code, 2025 Edition, Adopted.
The provisions of the California Green Building Standards, 2025 Edition, as published by the California Buildings Standards Commission, and subsequent Editions as adopted by the State of Cali fornia, Building Standards Commission or successor agency are adopted by reference, subject to the additions and amendments set forth in this Chapter.
SECTION 7. Chapter 9-28, Fire Prevention Code, of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9-28 FIRE PREVENTION CODE
Section 9-28.010. Adoption of Fire Code.
The California Fire Code (CFC), 2025 Edition as published and adopted by the State of California, and subsequent Editions as adopted by the State of California, are adopted by reference, subject to the additions, deletions and amendments set forth in this Chapter. Each amended Section of the California Fire Code is also renumbered by the addition of the characters “9-28.” preceding the California Fire Code citation.
Section 9-28.020. Additions, Deletions, and/or Amendments to Fire Code.
Chapters 1, 3, 4, 11, and 56 are adopted in their entirety. Additions, deletions, and/or amendments have been applied to Chapters 1, 3, 5, 9, and 56.
Section 9—28.030. Chapter 1 Amended: Scope and General Requirements. a. Section [A] 101.1 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing the “Name of Jurisdiction”, with “City of Santa Maria, California”.
b. Section [A] 101.2.1 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding the following sentence after, “specifically adopted”: Appendices B,
C, D, H, K, and O are adopted in their entirety, inclusive of the Santa Maria Fire Department Development Guidelines.
c. Section [A] 103.1 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing the “Name of Jurisdiction”, with “City of Santa Maria, California”.
d. Section [A] 103.3 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edi tion, is amended by adding the following text after, “inspectors and other employees”.
A Fire Investigation unit is established within the fire department under the direction of the Fire Chief or his/her designee. All members of the Fire Investigation Un it shall, upon completion of requirements as set forth in California Penal Code Section 832, or any successor legislation, have the full power, authority, and immunity of a California peace officer as specified by Penal Code Section 830.37. The Fire Chief and other personnel authorized by the Fire Chief shall have the powers of police officers in performing duties under this Code, shall have the powers of peace officers as provided by California Penal Code Section 830.37 and shall have the authority to issue citations.
e. Section [A] 105.1.1 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding the following text after the word “permit” in the first paragraph:
The Fire Chief or his/her designee may require fire protection system design plans to be stamped and signed by a Fire Protection Engineer registered in California when, in the opinion of the Chief, review of a Fire Protection Engineer is necessary to ensure compliance with the Fire Code.
f. Section [A] 108.2 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following text:
The Fire Chief or his/her designee is authorized to collect fees for services as established or modified by resolution of the City Council. The Fire Chief or his/her designee shall review the fees charged for such services at least once annually and may, with the approval of the City Manager, recommend changes to the City Council when the costs for such services are not commensurate with existing fees.
Fire Department plan reviews may be performed by approved third party contractors as determined by the Fire Chief. Fees for third party plan reviews shall be paid by the permit applicant, and shall be based on the amounts designated in contractual agreements between the Fire Department and third-party vendor.
g. Section [A] 110.3 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by the insertion of the following text after “official” at the end of the second paragraph:
Compliance with this section shall be fulfilled by submittal of all inspection, testing, and maintenance records to The Compliance Engine, an entity under contract to the City.
h. Section [A] 112.1 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following text:
In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the Fire Code Official relative to the application and interpretations of this Code, there shall be and is hereby created a Board of Appeals, consisting of members who are qualified by experience and training to pass upon matters pertaining to hazards of fire, explosions, hazardous conditions, or fire protection systems, and who are not employees of the jurisdiction.
The Fire Code Official shall be an ex officio member to said Board but shall have no vote upon any matter before the Board. The Board of Appeals shall be appointed by the City Council and shall hold office at its pleasure. The Board shall adopt rules of procedure for conducting its business and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the appellant with a duplicate copy to the Fire Code Official.
i. Section [A] 112.2 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following text:
The Board of Appeals shall have no authority relative to interpretation of the administrative provisions of this Code, nor shall the Board be empowered to waive requirements of this Code.
j. Section [A] 112.3 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by inserting the following text after “jurisdiction”:
A fee, as provided in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges, shall accompany an application for a hearing before the Board of Appeals.
k. Section [A] 113.4 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following text:
Persons who shall violate a provision of the Santa Maria Municipal Code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the Fire Chief or his/her designee, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this Code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment not exceeding one hundred eighty (180) calenda r days, or both such fine and imprisonment for each violation. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense. The Fire Chief or his/her designee may also cause an Administrative action to be initiated in accordance with Title 1, Chapters 1-6, 1-7, 1-8, and 1-9 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code.
l. Section [A] 114.4 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following text:
Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties set forth in Section 9-28. [A] 113.4 of this Code.
Section 9-28.040. Chapter 3 Amended: General Requirements. a. Section 307.1.1 of Chapter 3 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following text:
Open burning is prohibited within City limits, except as provided in CFC Section 307.4.2, “Recreational fires”, CFC Section 307.4.3, “Portable outdoor fireplaces”, or by a single use permit issued by the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief or his/her designee is authorized to require the discontinuance of any use, process, equipment, or activity involving open flame, burning, smoking, barbecuing/cooking, or any similar activity regardless of purpose or function when the Fire Chief or his/her designee determines that such activity, equipment, or use is hazardous, offensive, or creates a nuisance.
b. Section 311.2 of Chapter 3 of the California Fire Code, 2022 Edition, is amended by adding the following text after the existing paragraph, ending with “through 311.2.3”:
The owner , occupant, or other person having under their control any property or materials on property damaged by fire or other disaster, when access by the public is possible, shall secure the property either by boarding up all openings, fencing, barricading, or ot her appropriate measures as approved by the Fire Chief or his/her designee. Within seven (7) calendar days after written notice by the Fire Chief or his/her designee to do so has been served, all debris, and/or damaged materials shall be removed from the p roperty and deposited in
accordance with Federal, State, and Local requirements or proof that contractual arrangements have been made for demolition, replacement, or repair of all fire or disaster damaged structures remaining on the property shall be submitted to the Fire Chief.
c. Section 311.2.1 of Chapter 3 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding the following after the existing paragraph, ending with “safety”:
The Fire Chief or his/her designee shall be empowered to initiate necessary actions to secure property damaged by fire or other disaster and/or remove and dispose of debris, and other damaged materials when, after giving notice to the owner of record of the property, the owner fails to secure the property and/or remove d ebris within (7) calendar days of written notice to the owner, as ordered by the Fire Chief or his/her designee.
The Fire Chief or his/her designee is authorized to initiate legal action to recover the costs of securing property damaged by fire or other disaster and/or removing and disposing of debris, and other damaged materials when, after giving notice to the owner of record of the property, the owner fails to secure the property and/or remove debris within (7) calendar days, and the City provides the service either through the use of City resources or a contractor.
Section 9-28.050. Chapter 5 Amended: Fire Service Features. a. Section 503.2. of Chapter 5 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is deleted and replaced in its entirety by the following:
Fire lanes shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 24 feet, excluding shoulders, when the height of a building does not exceed 30 feet. Buildings with heights in excess of 30 feet will comply with CFC Appendix D, aerial access roads. All roof height dimensions shall be measured on a vertical plane from the lowest level of vehicular access to the eave of a pitched roof, the intersection of the roof to the exterior wall, or the top of parapet walls, whichever is higher.
When multiple lanes are proposed in a fire access roadway, each lane shall not be less than 14 feet in width.
If a 14-foot opening is utilized, there must be a minimum of a 30-foot approach and a 30-foot departure for a total of 60 feet in a straight line. As the opening increases, the approach and departure dimensions may be decreased at the discretion of the Fire Chief.
Overhead utility and power lines shall not be located above or within 30 feet (measured horizontally from the edge of fire lane to the nearest utility or power line) of Fire Lanes.
b. Section 503.2.7 of Chapter 5 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is deleted and replaced in its entirety by the following:
The grade of the fire apparatus access road shall be within the limits established by the fire chief or his/her designee based on the fire department’s apparatus; however, no grade will exceed twelve (12) percent. Grade transitions shall not exceed City of Santa Maria Fire Department apparatus maximum approach and departure angles as determined by the fire chief or his/her designee.
c. Section 503.5 of Chapter 5 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding the following text after “ASTM F2200” at the end of the first paragraph:
All electrically operated gates which are insta lled across required fire access roads, lanes, or pathways shall have an access switch approved by the Fire Chief or his/her designee. The switch shall be installed so the gate will remain in the open position until re-set by the fire department. The gate shall have a manual means of opening in the event of a power failure and shall be accessible from the exterior of the property. In addition to the switch, a fire-department—approved strobe device shall be installed for rapid access through vehicle access g ates for emergency vehicles. Strobe switches shall activate the gate system when approached by Fire Department apparatus equipped with standard Fire Department emitters.
d. Section 505.1. of Chapter 5 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended as follows:
Replace “4 inches high with a minimum stroke width of ½ inches” with, “6 inches high with a minimum stroke width of one inch”.
Insert the following text after the preceding revision and before the sentence beginning with “Where required”: Commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential occupancies shall provide address numbers with a minimum height of 12” and a minimum stroke width of 1.5”. Larger numbers may be required for exterior elevations with setbacks or building features that minimize visibility.
Exception: Or as otherwise approved by the Fire Code Official.
Section 9-28.60. Chapter 9 Amended: Fire Protection Systems. a. Section 903.2.1.1, Item 1, of Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing “12,000” with “5,000”.
b. Section 903.2.1.3, Item 1, of Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing “12,000” with “5,000”.
c. Section 903.2.1 .4, Item 1, of Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing “12,000” with “5,000”.
d. Section 903.2.2.1 is added to Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code stating the following:
All Group B occupancies other than those described in Section 903.2.2 shall be equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout the building when the gross floor area is more than 5,000 square feet.
e. Section 903.2.3, Item 1, of Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing “12,000” with “5,000”.
f. Section 903.2.4, Item 1, of Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing “12,000” with “5,000”.
g. Section 903.2.7, Item 1, of Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing “12,000” with “5,000”.
h. Section 903.2.9, Item 1, of Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing “12,000” with “5,000”.
i. Section 903.2.10, Item 1, of Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing “12,000” with “5,000”.
j. Section 903.2.10, Item 2, of Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by deleting the exception for R-3 Occupancies.
k. Section 907.7.2, of Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by deleting the entire text and replacing the text with the following:
The permittee shall provide a record of completion in accordance with NFPA 72 verifying that the system has been installed and tested in accordance with the approved plans and specifications; and a copy of a serially numbered certificate issued to the permittee by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., or other nationally recognized authority, certificating the system. Certification shall be required for all new systems including fire sprinkler monitoring systems and shall be required for any existing systems that produce three or more false alarm activations within a calendar year, and for systems that become unreliable due to dilapidation or deterioration.
Certification is required for the life of the system. The copy of t he certificate shall be presented to the Fire Chief or his/her designee prior to the final permit inspection or clearance of a violation/correction notice.
Exception: Group R Division 3 occupancies.
i. Section 907.8.4, of Chapter 9 of the California Fir e Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding the following text after “maintained” at the end of the first paragraph:
False alarms shall be regulated in accordance with SMMC Section 5 -2.09(b). A cost recovery fee for false alarms will be as set forth in the City of Santa Maria User Fees Schedule.
Section 9-28.190. Chapter 56 Amended: Explosives and Fireworks. a. Section 5601.1.3, of Chapter 56 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding the following text after “prohibited” at the end of paragraph 1:
Safe and sane fireworks, as defined by Section 12529 of the California Health and Safety Code, may be sold and possessed during the period beginning at twelve noon (12:00 p.m.) on the 28th day of June and ending at eleven PM (11:00 p.m.) on the 4th day of July. Safe and sane fireworks may only be ignited between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on the 4th of July.
b. Section 5601.2.3, of Chapter 56 of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by addition of the following text after “stored” at the end of Paragraph 1:
Permits for the sale, storage, and transportation of Safe and Sane Fireworks shall be issued in accordance with requirements established by the Santa Maria Fire Department, and CCR Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 6 , Article 13. Fireworks stands and sales areas shall be free from any conditions which increase, or may cause an increase of, the hazard of fire or explosion or which may become the cause of any obstruction, delay or hindrance to prevention, suppression or extinguishment of fire.
SECTION 8. Chapter 9-32, Plumbing Code, of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9-32 PLUMBING CODE
Section 9-32.010. California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition Adopted.
The provisions of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, and Appendices A, B, D, E, G, H, I, J, K, and subsequent Editions as adopted by the State of California, Building Standards Commission or successor agency, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, is adopted by reference, subject to the additions and amendments set forth in this Chapter.
Section 9-32.020. Subsection 104.4.3 of Chapter 1 Amended: Expiration.
Section 104.4.3 of Chapter 1 of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, is amended in its entirety as follows.
104.4.3 Expiration. Every permit issued shall remain valid for a period of 365 days after issuance. The Building Official is authorized to g rant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each.
The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.
Section 9-32.030. Subsection 104.5 of Chapter 1 Amended: Fees.
Subsection 104.5 of Section 104 of Chapter 1 of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
104.5 Fees. Permit fees shall be as set forth in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges.
104.5.1. Fee adjustments by resolution: Authorized. The fees provided for in this Section shall be established and amended by City Council resolution.
104.5.2 Special Investigation Fees: Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this Code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued
for such work. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, m ay be imposed subject to the discretion of the Building Official whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall not exceed the amount of all permit fees required by this Code for the unpermitted work. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this Code nor from any penalty prescribed by law.
104.5.3 Refunds. The Building Official may authorize refunding of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected. The Building Official may authorize refunding of not more than 80 percent of the permit application fee when an application for a permit is withdrawn or canceled before any plan review is done. The Building Official shall not authorize refunding of any fee paid except on written application filed by the original applicant not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.
Section 9-32.040. Subsection 106 of Chapter 1 Amended: Violations and Penalties.
Subsections 106.1 and 106.3 of S ection 106 of Chapter 1 of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, are amended in their entirety to read as follows:
106.1 Violations. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use, or maintain any plumbing in the City, or cause or permit the same to be done in violation of this Code.
106.3 Penalties. Any person, firm, or corporation violating any provision of this Code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment as set forth in Title 1, Chapter 6 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code. Furthermore, e ach separate day or any portion thereof, during which any violation of this Code occurs or continues, shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense.
Section 9-32.050. Subsections 107.3 and 107.4 of Chapter 1 Added: Appeal Hearing Fee and Special Purpose Members.
Section 107 of Chapter 1 of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding new Subsections 107.3 and 107.4 to read as follows:
107.3 Appeal Hearing Fee. A fee as provided in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees an d Charges shall accompany an application for a hearing before the Board of Appeals.
107.4 Special Purpose Members. For the purpose of appeals to the standards of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations affecting accommodations for persons with disabilities, two (2) persons shall be added who shall have a disability as defined in Section 202, California Building Code, 2025 Edition.
Section 9-32.060. Subsection 108 of Chapter 1 Amended: Authorized Installer.
Chapter 1 of the California Plumbing Code , 2025 Edition, is amended by adding new Section 108 to read as follows:
108.1 Authorized Installer. Only authorized installers, as provided for in this Section, may install replacement water heaters in the City of Santa Maria without obtaining a permit by affixing a City of Santa Maria installation sticker on each replacement water heater.
Exceptions:
A. Any water heater installed in a new location requires a plumbing permit.
B. Replacement water heaters must have the same or lesser input BTU ratings than the original water heater if gas fired to qualify for the sticker program.
C. Replacement water heaters must have the same or lesser wattage as the original water heater if electric to qualify for the sticker program.
108.2 Plumbing Contractor. Any plumbing contractor holding both a valid C -36 Contractor’s License in the State of California and a valid City business license for such contracting may apply for authorized installer status.
108.3 Revocation or Suspension Procedure. The Building Official may suspend or revoke a plumbing contractor’s authorized installer status for one or more of the following grounds:
(1) Failure to perform by allowing a substandard installation of a water heater twice within the same twelve (12) month period.
(2) Failure to submit a monthly report on installations including the name, telephone number, and address of the owner, installation sticker number, date, location, and names of the installing plumber and authorized installer. (3) Failure to have the employee installer properly trained as an authorized installer. (4) Failure to correct a substandard installation after receiving a notice of non-compliance from the City of Santa Maria.
(5) Suspension, revocation, or placing of the C -36 Plumbing Contractor’s License on “i nactive” status by the State Contractor’s License Board.
(6) The revocation or suspension shall take effect fourteen (14) days after the notice of revocation or suspension is given to the authorized installer by regular U.S. Mail.
108.4 Hearing or Denial, Revocation or Suspension. If a plumbing contractor’s authorized installer status is denied, revoked, or suspended, an applicant may within fourteen (14) days after the notice of denial, revocation or suspension is given, request a hearing before the Build ing Official. The Building Official shall fix a time and place for the hearing and shall notify the applicant. At the hearing, the Building Official shall hear and receive evidence to determine whether the denial, revocation, or suspension of authorized installer status should be sustained or reversed.
The Building Official shall give the applicant notice of the decision within twenty (20) days after the hearing is closed.
108.5 Appeal. If the Building Official does not reverse the action, a person aggrieved by the denial, revocation , or suspension may appeal the action to the Board of Appeals. A written notice of appeal concisely stating the facts of the case and the grounds of appeal shall be filed with the Board of Appeals within fourteen (14) days after the notice of the action appealed from is given. The Board of Appeals shall have the appeal set for hearing and shall give the appellant notice of the time and place of the hearing. The decision of the Board of Appeals made after the appellant has had an opportunity to be heard is final. The Board of Appeals shall give the appellant notice of its decision within fourteen (14) days after the close of the hearing.
108.6 Fee. The fee for each City of Santa Maria authorized installation sticker shall be as se t forth in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges.
108.7 Fee Adjustments by resolution: Authorized. The fee provided for in this Section shall be established and amended by City Council resolution.
Section 9-32.070. Sections 109 of Chapter 1 Added: Qualification for Permits.
Chapter 1 of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding new Sections 109 to read as follows:
109.0 Qualification for Permits
109.1 To Whom Permits May be Issued. No permit shall be issued to any person or firm to do or cause to be done any plumbing work regulated by this Code, except to such person or firm holding both a valid contractor’s license issued by the State enabling the performance of such work and a valid City business license to engage in the business of such contracting work in the City.
Exception: Any plumbing permits required by the Code may be issued to any person to do any plumbing work regulated by the Code in a single-family dwelling used exclusively for living purposes, including the usual accessory buildings in connection therewith, provided such person is the owner of such dwelling and that the same is occupied by said owner, or that said owner intends to personally occupy such dwelling; and provided further that said o wner shall personally purchase all materials and perform all labor in connection with this work.
Section 9-32.080. Subsection 422.3.1 Added: Motor Fuel-Dispensing Facilities.
Subsection 422.3 of Section 422 of Chapter 4 of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding the following subsection 422.3.1 to read as follows:
422.3.1 Motor fuel-dispensing facility. In every motor fuel -dispensing facility, separate restroom facilities for each sex shall be provided and maintained for the publ ic and shall be accessible for persons with disabilities. These restroom facilities shall be maintained in a working, clean , and sanitary manner stocked with sufficient towels, soap, toilet paper, and toilet covers and in accordance with all applicable law s and regulations. In addition, air and water shall be provided as per the State of California Business and Professions Code Section 13651.
Section 9-32.090. Section 422.4.2 Added: Required Public Toilet Facilities.
Subsection 422.4 of Section 422 of Cha pter 4 of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding the following subsection 422.4.2 to read as follows:
422.4.2 Required Public Toilet Facilities. Customers and patrons shall be provided with public toilet facilities in structures and tenant spaces intended for public utilization. The accessible route to public facilities shall not pass through kitchens, storage rooms, closets, or similar spaces.
Section 9-32.100. Section 422.4.3 Added: Pay Facilities.
Subsection 422.4 of Section 422 of Chapter 4 of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding the following subsection 422.4.3 to read as follows:
422.4.3 Pay Facilities. Where pay facilities are installed, such facilities shall be in excess of the required minimum facilities. Required facilities shall be free of charge.
Section 9-32.110. Section 423 Added: Car Washes.
Chapter 4 to the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, is amended to add new Section 423.0 to read as follows:
423.0 Car Washes. All commercial car wash facilities, including self -wash, shall have water recycling systems and the design installations of these systems shall comply with Section 10950 through 10953 of the California Health and Safety Code and be approved by the administrative authority.
Section 9-32.120. Table 442.1 Amended: Minimum Number of Required Fixtures.
Table 422.1 of Chapter 4 of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by a dding Footnote 8 referring to Residential occupancy clothes washer standpipes to read as follows:
(8) Clothes washer standpipes - A minimum of one (1) automatic washer standpipe for each single -family dwelling or a minimum ratio of one (1) automatic washer standpipe for each seven (7) apartment house dwelling units or fraction thereof, with not less than two (2) standpipes for apartment houses having five (5) or more dwelling units.
Kitchen sinks-one (1) for each dwelling or apartment unit.
Section 9-32.130. Subsection 604.1 and 604.3. Amended: Pipe Tube and Fittings, Copper and Alloy Tube.
Subsections 604.1 and 604.3 of Section 604 of Chapter 6 of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding a new last sentence, to read as follows:
“No galvanized, Type ‘M’ or Type ‘L’ copper water piping shall be installed within any concrete slab or in the ground under a concrete slab within a building. The use of Type “M” copper water piping shall be prohibited in buildings.”
Section 9-32.140. Subsection 610.8. Amended: Water Pipe Size.
Subsection 610.8 of Section 608 of Chapter 6 of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing the last sentence, to read as follows:
“Regardless of the water meter size, the minimum size of any water supply piping from the meter to the building or equipment served shall be a minimum of one inch (1”) diameter trade size piping.”
Section 9-32.150. Subsection 611.5 Added: Water Softener.
Section 611 of Chapter 6 of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding new Subsections 611.5 and 611.5.1 to read as follows:
611.5 All water softeners as defined in City of Santa Maria Municipal Code, Section 8 -12.104 (91), shall be installed and conform to generally recognized plumbin g and sanitary standards or other standards deemed equal technology and accepted by the administrative authority and shall be consistent with this Code. After the effective date of this amendment, only the following water softeners may be installed on stru ctures utilized for non-residential purposes:
(1) Canister-type units which are centrally regenerated; or (2) Water softeners with demand control systems as defined in the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code, Section 8-12.104 (91) & (92); or
(3) Such other water softeners, as determined by the administrative authority, which by objective testing and results will not discharge brine waste with a total dissolved solids concentration or frequency of discharge that exceeds the equivalent produced by the treatment process provided by demand control water softeners as defined by the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code, Section 8.12.104 (91) & (92).
Upon receipt of determinations and orders issued to the administrative authority by the Director of Public Works pursuant to the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code, Section 8-12.410, the following limitations shall apply:
(1) It shall be unlawful after the effective date of an order issued by the Director of Public Works pursuant to the City of Santa Maria Municip al Code, Section 8 -12.410 (c) to install on any structure an on -site regeneration water softener as defined in Santa Maria Municipal Code, Section 8-12.104 (91); and/or (2) It shall also be unlawful after the effective date of an order issued by the Direct or of Public Works pursuant to the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code Section 8 -12.410 (c) to operate or maintain an on -site regeneration water softener after January 1, 2007.
611.5.1 All users who install a water softener in new residential construction shall install plumbing so that only water feeding the hot water system is softened.
EXCEPTION: Canister type units that are centrally regenerated may be connected to both the hot and cold water distribution systems, excluding hose bibs and irrigation systems.
Section 9-32.160. Appendix Section H501.13 Amended: Septic Tanks.
Section H501.13 of Appendix H of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing number (2) to read as follows:
“Steel tanks are prohibited.”
SECTION 9. Chapter 9-36, Electrical Code, of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9-36 ELECTRICAL CODE
Section 9-36.010. California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, Adopted.
The provisions of the California Electrical Code, including Annex H, 2025 Edition, as published by the National Fire Protection Association, and subsequent Editions as adopted by the State of California, Building Standards Commission or successor agency are adopted by reference, subject to the additions and amendments set forth in this Chapter.
Section 9-36.020. Section 80.15 of Annex H Amended: Electrical Board.
Section 80.15 of Annex H of the California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by substituting Section 9-
04.080 of this Code in its place in its entirety.
Section 9-36.030. Subsection 80.19(D) of Annex H Added: Annual Maintenance Permit.
Section 80.19 of Annex H of the California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by replacing subsection
80.19(D) in its entirety to read as follows:
80.19(D) Annual Maintenance Permits. An annual electrical maintenance permit may, upon application therefore, be issued to any person or firm who regularly employs one (1) or more designated, qualified electricians for the installation, repair or maintenance of electrical wiring or equipment on the premises owned or occupied by the permit holder. The permit holder shall keep an accurate record in duplicate of all electrical work performed under the annual permit, and within fifteen (15) days following the end of each calendar year, the permittee shall transmit to the Building Official a report stating whether or not any electrical work was performed during the preceding year. If the report indicates that any electrical work was performed, such report shall contain a descrip tion of all such work performed during the preceding year. All work described in the annual report shall be inspected and subject to corrections or, due to extent or complexity of work, shall be subject to individual permit requirements. Each annual electrical maintenance permit shall automatically expire on December 31st of the year in which it was issued.”
Section 9-36.040. Subsection 80.19(E) of Annex H Amended: Fees.
Subsection 80.19(E) of Annex H of the California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, is am ended in its entirety to read as follows:
80.19(E) Fees. Permit fees shall be as set forth in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges.
80.19(E)(1) Fee adjustments by resolution. Authorized. The fees provided for in this Section shall be established and amended by City Council resolution.
80.19(E)(2) Special Investigation Fees. Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this Code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a special investigation shall be made bef ore a permit may be issued for such work. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, may be imposed subject to the discretion of the Building Official whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall not exceed the amount of all permit fees required by this Code for the unpermitted work. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this Code nor from any penalty prescribed by law.
80.19(E)(3) Refu nds. The Building Official may authorize refunding of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected. The Building Official may authorize refunding of not more than 80 percent of the permit application fee when an application for a permit is withdrawn or canceled before any plan review is done. The Building Official shall not authorize refunding of any fee paid except on written application filed by the original applicant not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.
Section 9-36.050. Subsection 80.19(F)6 of Annex H Added: Electrical Observation.
Section 80.19 of Annex H of the California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition is amended in its entirety as follows:
80.19(F)6 Electrical Observation. In addition to the inspections required by this section, electrical observation shall be provided for the following items:
1. Installation or alteration of high voltage electrical systems and equipment over 600 volts nominal; or
2. Health Care Facilities, California Electrical Code Article 517 (O.S.H.P.D. 3); or
3. Installation or alteration of electrical systems and equipment within locations classified as hazardous by provisions of the California Electrical Code, except for gasoline dispensing installati ons and systems located within storage garages, repair garages, or lubritoriums; or
4. When so designated by the architect or engineer of record; or
5. When such observation is specifically required by the Building Official; or
6. Installation of Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS); or
7. Solar photovoltaic systems greater than 100 kVa.
The owner shall employ the engineer responsible for the electrical design, or another engineer designated by the engineer responsible for the electrical design to perfo rm visual observation of complex electrical equipment and systems for general conformance to the approved plans and specifications, including but not limited to placement and interconnection of equipment. Electrical observation shall be performed at signif icant stages of the construction and when the installation is complete and ready to be inspected by the Building Official. Electrical Observation is not in lieu of required Building Division Electrical Inspections. Upon completion of the portions of the wo rk requiring observation, a Certificate of Compliance shall be issued to the Building Official over the seal and signature of the engineer responsible for such observation. A Certificate of Occupancy will not be issued until the Building Official
receives and approves any required observation reports and the Certificates of Compliance. The Certificates of Compliance for observation shall read as follows:
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR THE ELECTRICAL OBSERVATION “I certify that to the best of my knowledge th e requirements of the California Electrical Code and approved plans and specifications have been complied with insofar as the portion of the work requiring electrical observation is concerned, except for those deviations that have been previously reported and approved of by the Building Official.
A guarantee that the contractor has necessarily constructed the building in full accord with the plans and specifications is neither intended nor implied.”
Section 9-36.060. Subsection 80.19(F)8 of Annex H Added: Special Inspection Required.
Section 80.19 of Annex H of the California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding a new Subsection
80.19(F)8 to read as follows:
80.19(F)8 Special Inspection. In addition to the inspections required by this Section, electrical special inspection shall be provided for the following items:
1. Ground Fault Protection of Equipment: or
2. Switchboards, Distribution Boards, and Motor Control Centers 1000 amps or more and/ or over 600 volts; or
3. Transformers 100 kVa or more single phase or 300 kVa or more three phases; or
4. Solar Photovoltaic Systems greater than 100 kVa; or
5. Hazardous Locations; or
6. Licensed Clinics (OSHPD 3); or
7. Installations of Critical Operation Systems (C.O.P.S.).
Special Electrical Inspections include, but are not limited to, observation of the work assigned for conformance with the approved design drawings and specifications, and submission of appropriate inspection reports to the City of Santa Maria Building Inspector. The Special Electrical Inspector shall be a qualified person who demonstrates competence to the satisfaction of the Building Official for the type of work and/or testing requiring Special Inspection.
These individual(s) or firm(s) shall be responsible for performing the Special Inspection tasks and reports required by the California Electrical Code and City of Santa Maria Regulations. The Special Electrical Inspector(s) shall be a designated registered design professional familiar with the materials and design or a third -party individual, firm or testing agency and shall not be the installing contractor.
Section 9-36.070. Subsection 80.19(H) of Annex H Amended: Expiration Subsection 80.19(H) of annex H of the 2025 California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by substituting Section 9-04.180 of this Code in its place in its entirety.
Section 9-36.080. Subsection 80.19(I) of Annex H Added: To Whom Permits May Be Issued.
Section 80.19 of Annex H of the California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding subsection
80.19(I) to read as follows:
80.19(I) to whom permits may be issued. No permit shall be issued to any person or firm to do or cause to be done any electrical work regulated by this Chapter, except to such person or firm holding both a valid unexpired and unrevoked contractor’s license issued by the State, enabling the performance of such work and a valid unexpired City business license to engage in the business of such contracting work in the City.
Exception: Any electrical permits required by the California Electrical Code may be issued to any person to do any electrical work regulated by the Code in a single -family dwelling used exclusively for living purposes, including the usual accessory buildings in connection therewith; provided, that such person is the owner of such dwelling and that the same is occupied by, or is intended to be occupied by, the owner; and provided further, that the owner personally purchases all materials and performs all labor in connection with the electrical work.
Section 9-36.090. Section 80.23 of Annex H Amended: Violations and Penalties.
Section 80.23 of Annex H of the California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
80.23 Violations and Penalties.
(A) Violations. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any electrical system or equipment in the City, or cause or permit the same to be done in violation of this Code. (B) Penalties. Any person, firm , or corporation violating any of the provisions of this Code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment as set forth in Title 1, Chapter 6 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code. Furthermore, each separate day or any portion thereof, during which any violation of this Code occurs or continues, shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense.
Section 9-36.100. Section 80.25 of Annex H Amended: Energy Connections.
Section 80.25 of Annex H of the California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
80.25 Connections to Electricity Supply. All installations of electric services shall be made in accordance with all applicable rules of the particular utility company concerned. No service may be energized until work is completed to the satisfaction of the Building Official.
Section 9-36.110. Section 250.52(A)(3) Amended: Concrete Encased Electrode.
Section 250.52(A)(3) of the California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding a new last paragraph to read as follows:
“Every new building or addition shall be provided with a concrete encased grounding electrode as defined in the above paragraph. This require ment may be waived by the Building Official when completely justified by hardship conditions.”
SECTION 10. Chapter 9 -40, Mechanical Code, of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9-40 MECHANICAL CODE
Section 9-40.010. California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition, Adopted.
The provisions of the California Mechanical Code and Appendices B, C, D, F, and G, 2025 Edition, and subsequent Editions, as adopted by the State of California, Building Standards Commission or successor agency, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, are adopted by reference, subject to the additions and amendments set forth in this Chapter.
Section 9-40.020. Subsection 104.4.3 of Chapter 1 Amended: Expiration.
Section 104.4.3 of Chapter 1 of the California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition, is amended in its entirety as follows.
104.4.3 Expiration. Every permit issued shall remain valid for a period of 365 days after issuance. The Building Official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each.
The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.
Section 9-40.030. Subsection 104.5 of Chapter 1 Amended: Fees.
Subsection 104.5 of Section 104 of Chapter 1 of the California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition, is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
104.5 Fees. Permit fees shall be as set forth in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges.
104.5.1 Fee adjustments by resolution: Authorized. The fees provided for in this Section shall be established and amended by City Council resolution.
104.5.2 Special Investigation Fees: Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this Code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, may be imposed subject to the discretion of the
Building Official whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall not exceed the amount of all permit fees required by this Code for the unpermitted work. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this Code nor from any penalty prescribed by law.
104.5.3 Refunds. The Building Official may authorize refunding of any fee paid here under which was erroneously paid or collected. The Building Official may authorize refunding of not more than 80 percent of the permit application fee when an application for a permit is withdrawn or canceled before any plan review is done. The Building Official shall not authorize refunding of any fee paid except on a written application filed by the original applicant not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.
Section 9-40.040. Subsection 105.2.7 Added: Smoke Detectors, Special Inspection Required.
Subsection 105.2 of Section 105 of the California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding a new Subsection 105.2.7 to read as follows:
105.2.7 Special Inspections Required.
105.2.7.1 Smoke Detectors. Special inspection shall be required for the installation of smoke detectors associated with smoke dampers and/ or H.V.A.C. shutoffs. The detectors shall be tested by an approved testing agency or a qualified third-party Special Inspector. The Special Inspector/Testing Agency shall be an independent third-party individual or firm and shall not be the installing contractor. A Professional Engineer shall submit a final signed and sealed report to the Building Inspector documenting successful testing and device operation prior to City issuan ce of final inspection approval or occupancy approval, including conditional occupancy approval.
105.2.7.2 Duct Fire Wrap. Special inspection shall be required for the installation of listed fire -resistive duct wrap systems that consists of two or more layers of material. The Special Inspector shall physically be present during the installation of each wrap layer and verify that it is installed per its listing. The Special Inspector shall be an independent third party individual or firm and shall not be the installing contractor. The Special Inspector shall submit a final signed and dated report to the Building Inspector documenting successful installation per its listing prior to City issuance of final inspection approval or occupancy approval, including conditional occupancy approval.
105.2.7.3 Unlisted Gas Fired Appliances. Gas fired appliances, which are proposed that are not listed and labeled by an approved listing agency shall have a special inspection, be evaluated by a qualified California Licensed Professional Engineer and have an Engineer’s Report provided prior to final inspection approval by the City of Santa Maria.
The project owner shall employ a qualified Engineer to evaluate the unlisted gas-fired appliance and its installation. The qualified Engineer shall prepare an Engineer’s Report that finds the equipment and installation to be in compliance with the California Mechanical Code, all applicable nationally recognized construction and installation standards and declares the installation to be in a “safe operational condition” as of the date of the report.
Section 9-40.050. Section 106 of Chapter 1 Amended: Violations and Penalties.
Subsection 106.1 and 106.3 of Section 106 of Chapter 1 of the California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition, are amended in their entirety to read as follows:
106.1 Violations. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any mechanical system or equipment in the City, or cause or permit the same to be done in violation of this Code.
106.3 Penalties. Any person, firm, or corporation violating any provision of this Code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment as set forth in Title 1, Chapter 6 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code. Furthermore, each separate day or any portion thereof, during which any violation of this Code occurs or continues, shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense.
Section 9-40.060. Subsections 107 .3 and 107.4 of Chapter 1 Added: Appeal Hearing Fee and Special Purpose Members.
Section 107 of Chapter 1 of the California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding new Subsections 107.3 and 107.4 to read as follows:
107.3 Appeal Hearing Fee. A fee as provided in the current City of Santa Maria Schedule of Fees and Charges shall accompany an application for a hearing before the Board of Appeals.
107.4 Special Purpose Members. For the purpose of appeals to the standards of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations affecting accommodations for persons with disabilities, two (2) persons shall be added who shall have a disability as defined in Section 202, California Building Code, 2025 Edition.
Section 9-40.070. Section 108.0 of Chapter 1 Added: Qualification for Permits.
Chapter 1 of the California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding a new Section 108 to read as follows:
108.0 Qualifications for Permits.
108.1 To whom permits may be issued. No permit shall be issued to any person or firm to do or cause to be done any mechanical work regulated by the Code except to such person or firm holding both a valid contractor’s license issued by the State enabling the performance of such work, and a valid City business license to engage in the business of such person contracting such work in the City.
EXCEPTION: Any mechanical permits required by the Code may be issued to any person to do any mechanical work regulate d by the Code in a single -family dwelling used exclusively for living purposes including the usual accessory buildings in connection therewith, provided such person is the owner of such dwelling and that the same is occupied by said owner, or that said owner intends to personally occupy such dwelling, and provided further that said owner shall personally purchase all materials and perform all labor in connection with the work.
Section 9-40.080. Subsection 302.1 Amended: Approval.
Subsection 302.1 of Se ction 302 of Chapter 3 of the California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition, is amended by adding new Exception to read as follows:
EXCEPTION: Third-Party Listing. Unlisted appliances and equipment shall be evaluated by a Listing Agency or qualified professional engineer with special inspection and approved by the Building Official. A report addressing the appliance/equipment shall be submitted to the Building Official that finds the equipment and installation to be in compliance with the California Mechanical Code; all applicable nationally recognized construction and installation standards; and declares the installation to be in a “safe operational condition” as of the date of the report.
Section 9-40.090. Section 303 Added: Installation.
Section 303 of Chapte r 3 the California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition is amended with the adding new Subsections 303.13 and 303.14 to read as follows:
303.13 Weather Protection. Unless listed or designed for outside installation, appliances and equipment on the roof of a buil ding shall be enclosed in a penthouse complying with the requirements of the Building Code for roof structures or shall be completely enclosed in a weatherproof housing. The housing, when constructed of metal, shall be of galvanized steel not less than 0.0 24 inch (0.61 mm) (No. 24 U.S. Standard gage) or of aluminum not less than No. 22 B.&S. gage supported on a substantial metal frame. In addition to the requirements of Section 904.10, the housing shall be not larger than necessary to properly cover and pro vide a minimum six (6) inch (152 mm) clearance around the appliance or appliances enclosed therein, including all controls and draft diverters.
303.14 Ventilation. An enclosure or penthouse shall be provided with openings complying with the requirements of Chapter 7, together with means for proper ventilation of the appliance or equipment draft hood relief openings.
SECTION 11. Section 9-44.060 of Chapter 9-44, Property Maintenance Code, of Title 9 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9-44 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
Section 9-44.060. Subsection 108.1 of Chapter 1 Amended: General.
Subsection 108.1 of Section 108 of Chapter 1 of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2024 Edition, is amended to read as follows:
108.1 General. When a structure or equipment is found by the code official to be unsafe, unfit for human occupancy, or unlawful, such structure or equipment shall be placarded accordingly pursuant to Section 108.4 of this Code.
108.1.1 Unsafe structures. An unsafe structure is one that is found to be dangerous to the life, health, property, or safety of the pub lic or the occupants of the structure by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contain s unsafe equipment or is so damaged, decayed , dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is possible.
108.1.2 Unsafe equipment. Unsafe equipment includes any boiler, heating equipment, elevator, moving stairway, electrical wiring or device, flammable liquid containers or other equipment on the premises or within the structure that is in such disrepair or condition that such equipment is a hazard to life, health, property, or safety of the public or occupants of the premises or structure. 108.1.3 Structure unfit for human occupancy. A structure is unfit for human occupancy whenever the code official finds that such structure is unsafe, unlawful or, because of the degree to which the structure is in disrepair or lacks maintenance is insanitary, vermin , or rat infested, contains filth and contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination , sa nitary or heating facilities or other essential equipment required by this code, or because the location of the structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants of the structure o r to the public.
108.1.4 Unlawful structure. An unlawful structure is one found in whole or in part to be occupied by more persons than permitted under this code, or was erected, altered, or occupied contrary to law. 108.1.5 Dangerous structure or premises. For the purpose of this code, any structure or premises that has any or all of the conditions or defects described as follows shall be considered to be dangerous:
1. Any door aisle, passageway, stairway, exit or other means of egress that does not confor m to the approved building or fire code of the jurisdiction as related to the requirements for existing buildings.
2. The walking surface of any aisle, passageway, stairway, exit or other means of egress is so warped, worn loose, torn, or otherwise unsafe as to not provide safe and adequate means of egress.
3. Any portion of a building, structure, or appurtenance that has been damaged by fire, earthquake, wind, flood, deterioration, neglect, abandonment, vandalism, or by any other cause to such an extent t hat it is likely to partially or completely collapse, or to become detached or dislodged.
4. Any portion of a building, or any member, appurtenance or ornamentation on the exterior thereof that is not of sufficient strength or stability, or is not so anchored, attached, or fastened in place so as to be capable of resisting natural or artificial loads of one and one-half the original designed value.
5. The building or structure, or part of the building or structure, because of dilapidation, deterioration, decay, faulty construction, the removal or movement of some portion of the ground necessary for the support, or for any other reason, is likely to partially or completely collapse, or some portion of the foundation or underpinning of the building or structure is likely to fail or give way.
6. The building or structure, or any portion thereof, is clearly unsafe for its use and occupancy.
7. The building or structure is neglected, damaged, dilapidated, unsecured , or abandoned so as to become an attractive nuisance to children who might play in the building or structure to their danger, becomes a harbor for vagrants, criminals or immoral persons, or enables persons to resort to the building or structure for committing a nuisance or an unlawful act.
8. Any building or structure has been constructed, exists or is maintained in violation of any specific requirement or prohibition applicable to such building or structure provided by the approved building or fire code of the jurisdiction, or of any law or ordinanc e to such an extent as to present either a substantial risk of fire, building collapse or any other threat to life and safety.
9. A building or structure, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, d ecay, damage, faulty construction or arrangement, inadequate light, ventilation,
mechanical or plumbing system, or otherwise, is determined by the code official to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation or in such a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease.
10. Any building or structure, because of a lack of sufficient or proper fire-resistance-rated construction, fire protection systems, electrical system, fuel connections, mechanical system, plumbing system or other cause , is determined by the code official to be a threat to life or health.
11. Any portion of a building remains on a site after the demolition or destruction of the building or structure or whenever any building or structure is abandoned so as to constitute such building or portion thereof as an attractive nuisance or hazard to the public.
SECTION 12. Section 9-44.061 of Chapter 9-44, Property Maintenance Code, of Title 9 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby added to read as follows:
Section 9-44.061. Subsection 108.4 of Chapter 1 Amended: Placarding.
Subsection 108.4 of Section 108 of Chapter 1 of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2024 Edition, is amended to read as follows:
108.4 Placarding. Pursuant to conditions found in Sections 108.1, 108.2, 108.3 and 108.5 of this Code, the Building Official or designee shall post on the subject premises, structure or equipment a placard stating either “Unsafe” or “Limited Entry.” Such placard shall inclu de the penalty for violating the conditions of the placard and reference to the appeals process of Section 113 of 2025 California Building Code as amended by the City of Santa Maria in Section 9-04.080 of this Code.
SECTION 1 3. Chapter 9 -76, Mobile Home P arks, of Title 9 of the City Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby deleted, as it is a duplicate of Chapter 9-48.
SECTION 14. This Ordinance has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the CEQA guidelines, and the City’s environmental procedures, and has been found to be exempt pursuant to Section
18.36.10.H. (Statutory Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines because the adoption of this Ordinance will not result in any physical harm to the environment because the City Council hereby finds with certainty that there is no possibility the passage of this Ordinance amending the zoning code will have a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 15. If any part or provision of this Chapter, or the application thereof t o any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the Chapter, including the application of that part or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, the provisions of this Ordinance are severable.
SECTION 16. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect on January 1 , 2026.
Within 15 days following its passage, the City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be published in a newspaper of general circula tion in accordance with State Law; or when deemed necessary due to the length or complexity of the Ordinance, cause a summary of the Ordinance to be prepared and published at least five days prior to the City Council meeting at which the proposed Ordinance is to be adopted. If a summary is published at least five days prior to the City Council meeting at which the proposed Ordinance is to be adopted, then within 15 days after adoption of the Ordinance the City Clerk shall publish a summary of the Ordinance with the names of those City Council Members voting for
and against the Ordinance and shall post a certified copy of the full text of such adopted Ordinance along with the names of those City Council Members voting for and against the Ordinance.
SECTION 17. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
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INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 4th day of November 2025, and PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting held on the 2nd day of December, 2025 by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINED:
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
_______________________________
Department Director
_______________________________
City Manager
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Rebecca Campbell, Director of Finance
DATE: December 2, 2025
SUBJECT: Growth Mitigation Annual and Five -Year Compliance Report – AB 1600.
Description:
The City Council will consider receiving, reviewing, and filing the Growth Mitigation Annual and Five-Year Compliance Report.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pu rsuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive, review, and file the Receive and File the Growth Mitigation Annual and Five - Year Compliance Report – AB 1600.
BACKGROUND:
State of California Assembly Bill 1600 (AB 1600) - the Mitigation Fee Act (Government Code Section 66000 et seq.) established the criteria by which municipal governments may charge developments for the future cost of providing services to new residents. The philosophy of AB 1600 is that all residents of a community deserve the same level of service. As residents are added to a community, the increased cost incurred by the municipal government to provide the same level of service to the community should be borne by the development.
The purpose of the City’s Growth Mitigation Fee Program is to finance the design, construction, and acquisition of facilities and equipment to maintain the City’s level of service and mitigate the impacts of growth.
Once collected, growth mitigation fees are segregated and placed in special funds that earn interest and are held for the facilities and equipment for which the fees are collected.
Santa Maria Municipal Code, Title 8, Section 8-15.07(a) states:
“Monies from these funds shall be expended solely for the design, construction, and acquisition of the corresponding facilities and equipment, including reimbursement for such expenditures. Any financing mechanism used to finance the cost of capital improvements identified as e ligible for funding under the Growth Mitigation Fee Program may be charged to growth mitigation fees...”.
2 The Santa Maria City Council adopted the first Capital Improvement Plan and implemented Ordinances for the Growth Mitigation Fee Program on July 6, 1993, and the last update to this Program was on October 20, 2020.
DISCUSSION:
As required by law, staff is reporting the accounting, compliance, and reconciliation of AB 1600 Growth Mitigation Fees for fiscal year (FY) 2024-25. Growth mitigation fees, in effect during FY 2024-25, were established with the adoption of the 2020 Growth Mitigation Fee Program. All changes to the City’s Mitigation Fee Program are separately handled from this report and are subject to public hearing requirements. By way of this Council Agenda Report, staff is not requesting that the City Council adopt new development fees, just to receive and file the report.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 66006(b)(1) local agencies shall, within 180 days after the last day of each FY, make available to the public the following AB 1600 information for the FY:
A) A brief description of the type of fee in the account or fund; B) The amount of the fee (in effect on June 30, 2025);
C) The beginning and ending balance of the account or fund; D) The amount of the collected fee and interest earned; E) An identification of each public improvement on which fees were expended and the amount of the expenditures on each improvement, including the total percentage of the cost of the public improvement that were funded with fees; F) An identification of an approximate date by which the construction of the public improvement will commence if the local agency determines that sufficient funds have been collected to complete financing on an incomplete pub lic improvement, as identified in Paragraph (2) of Subdivision (a) Section 66001 of the Government Code, and the public improvement remains incomplete;
G) A description of each interfund transfer or loan made from the account or fund, including the public improvement on which the transferred or loaned fees will be expended, and, in the case of an interfund loan, the date on which the loan will be repaid and the rate of interest that the account or fund will receive on the loan; and H) The amount of refunds made pursuant to Government Code Subdivision (e) Section 66001 and any allocation pursuant to Government Code Subdivision (f) of Section 66001.
To comply with Government Code Section 66006, staff has prepared and incorporated herein, reports disclosing th e above -outlined information in Attachment A. State legislation requires that the City:
3 Identify an approximate date for starting construction on a public improvement within 180 days of determining that sufficient funds have been collected to complete the financing of the improvement; and
Annually update its capital improvement plan pertaining to improvements financed by developer fees.
The City updates its Capital Improvement Plan as part of the bi -annual update of the Growth Mitigation Program Fees and reviews the Capital Improvement Plan during the City’s two -year budget cycle. To date, sufficient funds have not been collected to complete financing of improvements on the individual project lists.
In addition to the annual compliance reporting, pursuant to Government Code Section 66001(d)(1), local agencies shall make all of the following findings with respect to that portion of the account or fund remaining unexpended, whether committed or uncommitted the fifth FY following the first deposit into the ac count or fund, and every five years thereafter:
A) Identify the purpose to which the fee is to be put;
B) Demonstrate a reasonable relationship between the fee and the purpose for which it is charged;
C) Identify all sources and amounts of funding anticip ated to complete financing in incomplete improvements identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a); and D) Designate the approximate dates on which the funding referred to in subparagraph (C) is expected to be deposited into the appropriate account or fund.
To comply with Government Code Section 66001, staff has prepared and incorporated herein, reports disclosing the above-outlined information in Attachment B.
Compliance Report Format:
Each Growth Mitigation fee is incorporated in Attachment A of this report. Items “A” through “H” that are listed in the Discussion section of this Council Agenda Report are reproduced in Attachment A for each account or fund to ensure accuracy, understanding, and compliance to the annual reporting. In Attachment B of this report, items “A” through “D” that are listed in the Discussion section of this staff report are reproduced to ensure accuracy, understanding, and compliance to the five-year reporting.
Fiscal Considerations
There is no fiscal impact related to this report requirement. This is a required annual reporting and compliance report. The Growth Mitigation Fund as a whole has a positive fund balance of approximately $46,926,150. It’s important to note as of June 30, 2024, the Police Mitigation fee and Library Mitigation fee have negative fund balances of $4.6 million and $4.3 million respectively. Additionally, as a result of City Council’s action on October 21, 2025, appropriating $5.5 Million to the Sports Complex project, the Recreation and Parks Mitigation fee is anticipated to end FY 2025-26 with a negative fund balance of $3.3 million. The following chart shows the FY 2024-25 year-end balances:
4 Mitigation Fee June 30, 2025 Balance
Traffic Improvement Fee $ 36,393,479
City Hall $ 1,358,551
Buildings/ Corporation Yard $ 1,841,561 Recreation and Parks $ 2,199,816
Police $ (4,628,556)
Library $ (4,277,571)
Fire $ 520,433
Water $ 4,252,617
Wastewater $ 9,265,819
Total $ 46,926,150
More information is provided in Attachments A and B.
Impact on the Community
The purpose of this report, per the Mitigation Fee Act, as it applies to compliance reporting, is to provide the community with information as to the status and use of fees collected through the Growth Mitigation Fee Program.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Annual Compliance Report for Growth Mitigation Fees
B. Five-Year Compliance Report for Growth Mitigation Fees
ANNUAL SENATE BILL 1693
COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR GROWTH MITIGATION FEES
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025
Pursuant to Government Code Section 66006(b)(1) local agencies shall, within 180 days after the last day of each fiscal year make available to the public the following information for the fiscal year:
Attachment A
A) A brief description of the type of fee in the account or fund.
Buildings/Corporation Yard - To provide a corporation yard and other facilities.
B) The amount of the fee.
Single Family Per Square Foot $ 0.09
Multiple Family Per Square Foot 0.09
Senior/Affordable Per Square Foot 0.09
Commercial/Industrial Per Square Foot 0.09
C) The beginning and ending balance of the account or fund.
Beginning: $ 1,773,429.31
Ending: 1,841,560.58
D) The amount of the fees collected and the interest earned.
E) An identification of each public improvement on which fees were expended and the amount of the expenditures on each improvement, including the total percentage of the cost of the public improvement that was funded with fees.
Expenditures
Approximate Percent
Funded by Fees
Public Works Annex Yard $ 10,707 100%
F) An identification of an approximate date by which the construction of the public improvement will commence if the local agency determines that sufficient funds have been collected to complete financing on an incomplete public improvement, as identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 66001, and the public improvement remains incomplete.
Sufficient funds have not been collected.
G) A description of each interfund transfer or loan made from the account or fund, including the public improvement on which the transferred or loaned fees will be expended, and, in the case of an interfund loan, the date on which the loan will be repaid and the rate of interest that the account or fund will receive on the loan.
No interfund transfer or loans, utilizing these funds, were made during the fiscal year.
H) The amount of refunds made pursuant to subdivision (e) Section 66001 and any allocation pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 66001.
Refunds made during the fiscal year total $118.94.
Fees Collected $ 18,922.09
Interest 60,035.12
Refund 118.94
Attachment A
ANNUAL SENATE BILL 1693
COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR GROWTH MITIGATION FEES
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025
Attachment A
A) A brief description of the type of fee in the account or fund.
City Hall - To provide a new government center.
B) The amount of the fee.
Single Family Per Square Foot $ 0.12
Multiple Family Per Square Foot 0.12
Senior/Affordable Per Square Foot 0.12
Commercial/Industrial Per Square Foot 0.12
C) The beginning and ending balance of the account or fund.
Beginning: $ 1,289,883.40
Ending: 1,358,551.40
D) The amount of the fees collected and the interest earned.
E) An identification of each public improvement on which fees were expended and the amount of the expenditures on each improvement, including the total percentage of the cost of the public improvement that was funded with fees.
Expenditures
Approximate Percent
Funded by Fees
None $ 0 0%
F) An identification of an approximate date by which the construction of the public improvement will commence if the local agency determines that sufficient funds have been collected to complete financing on an incomplete public improvement, as identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 66001, and the public improvement remains incomplete.
Sufficient funds have not been collected.
G) A description of each interfund transfer or loan made from the account or fund, including the public improvement on which the transferred or loaned fees will be expended, and, in the case of an interfund loan, the date on which the loan will be repaid and the rate of interest that the account or fund will receive on the loan.
No interfund transfer or loans, utilizing these funds, were made during the fiscal year.
H) The amount of refunds made pursuant to subdivision (e) Section 66001 and any allocation pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 66001.
Refunds made during the fiscal year total $158.59.
Fees Collected $ 25,188.40
Interest 43,638.19
Refund 158.59
ANNUAL SENATE BILL 1693
COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR GROWTH MITIGATION FEES
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025
Attachment A
A) A brief description of the type of fee in the account or fund.
Recreation and Parks - To provide funds for the acquisition, improvement, and development of park and open space land.
B) The amount of the fee.
Single Family Per Square Foot $ 2.14
Multiple Family Per Square Foot 3.27
Senior/Affordable Per Square Foot 3.27
Commercial/Industrial Per Square Foot 0.01
C) The beginning and ending balance of the account or fund.
Beginning: $ 4,701,784.71
Ending: 2,199,815.98
D) The amount of the fees collected and the interest earned.
E) An identification of each public improvement on which fees were expended and the amount of the expenditures on each improvement, including the total percentage of the cost of the public improvement that was funded with fees.
Expenditures
Approximate Percent
Funded by Fees
Enos Ranch Park & Cultural Center $ 2,963,446.15 93%
F) An identification of an approximate date by which the construction of the public improvement will commence if the local agency determines that sufficient funds have been collected to complete financing on an incomplete public improvement, as identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 66001, and the public improvement remains incomplete.
Not applicable since funds were previously spent on approved projects.
G) A description of each interfund transfer or loan made from the account or fund, including the public improvement on which the transferred or loaned fees will be expended, and, in the case of an interfund loan, the date on which the loan will be repaid and the rate of interest that the account or fund will receive on the loan.
No interfund transfer or loans, utilizing these funds, were made during the fiscal year.
H) The amount of refunds made pursuant to subdivision (e) Section 66001 and any allocation pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 66001.
Refunds made during the fiscal year total $1,799.74.
Fees Collected $ 333,648.22
Interest
Refunds 129,628.94
1,799.74
ANNUAL SENATE BILL 1693
COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR GROWTH MITIGATION FEES
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025
Attachment A
A) A brief description of the type of fee in the account or fund.
Police - To provide for new police facilities and equipment.
B) The amount of the fee.
Single Family Per Square Foot $ 0.38
Multiple Family Per Square Foot 0.38
Senior/Affordable Per Square Foot 0.38
Commercial/Industrial Per Square Foot 0.30
C) The beginning and ending balance of the account or fund.
Beginning: $ -4,493,932.67
Ending: -4,628,556.16
D) The amount of the fees collected and the interest earned.
E) An identification of each public improvement on which fees were expended and the amount of the expenditures on each improvement, including the total percentage of the cost of the public improvement that was funded with fees.
Expenditures
Approximate Percent
Funded by Fees
Police Department Parking Lot $ 124,977.74 100%
F) An identification of an approximate date by which the construction of the public improvement will commence if the local agency determines that sufficient funds have been collected to complete financing on an incomplete public improvement, as identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 66001, and the public improvement remains incomplete.
Not applicable since funds were previously spent on approved projects.
G) A description of each interfund transfer or loan made from the account or fund, including the public improvement on which the transferred or loaned fees will be expended, and, in the case of an interfund loan, the date on which the loan will be repaid and the rate of interest that the account or fund will receive on the loan.
No interfund transfer or loans, utilizing these funds, were made during the fiscal year.
H) The amount of refunds made pursuant to subdivision (e) Section 66001 and any allocation pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 66001.
Refunds made during the fiscal year total $502.20.
Fees Collected $ 72,252.23
Interest -81,395.78
Refund 502.20
ANNUAL SENATE BILL 1693
COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR GROWTH MITIGATION FEES
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025
Attachment A
A) A brief description of the type of fee in the account or fund.
Library - To provide a new library facility and equipment.
B) The amount of the fee.
Single Family Per Square Foot $ 0.28
Multiple Family Per Square Foot 0.28
Senior/Affordable Per Square Foot 0.28
Commercial/Industrial Per Square Foot 0.10
C) The beginning and ending balance of the account or fund.
Beginning: $ -4,242,089.76
Ending: -4,277,571.00
D) The amount of the fees collected and the interest earned.
E) An identification of each public improvement on which fees were expended and the amount of the expenditures on each improvement, including the total percentage of the cost of the public improvement that was funded with fees.
Expenditures
Approximate Percent
Funded by Fees
None $ 0 0%
F) An identification of an approximate date by which the construction of the public improvement will commence if the local agency determines that sufficient funds have been collected to complete financing on an incomplete public improvement, as identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 66001, and the public improvement remains incomplete.
Not applicable since funds were previously spent on approved projects.
G) A description of each interfund transfer or loan made from the account or fund, including the public improvement on which the transferred or loaned fees will be expended, and, in the case of an interfund loan, the date on which the loan will be repaid and the rate of interest that the account or fund will receive on the loan.
No interfund transfer or loans, utilizing these funds, were made during the fiscal year.
H) The amount of refunds made pursuant to subdivision (e) Section 66001 and any allocation pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 66001.
Refunds made during the fiscal year total $370.04.
Fees Collected $ 41,676.27
Interest -76,787.47
Refund 370.04
ANNUAL SENATE BILL 1693
COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR GROWTH MITIGATION FEES
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025
Attachment A
A) A brief description of the type of fee in the account or fund.
Fire – To finance new fire stations and fire equipment.
B) The amount of the fee.
Single Family Per Square Foot $ 0.57
Multiple Family Per Square Foot 0.57
Senior/Affordable Per Square Foot 0.57
Commercial/Industrial Per Square Foot 0.08
C) The beginning and ending balance of the account or fund.
Beginning: $ 428,917.85
Ending: 520,433.46
D) The amount of the fees collected and the interest earned.
E) An identification of each public improvement on which fees were expended and the amount of the expenditures on each improvement, including the total percentage of the cost of the public improvement that was funded with fees.
Expenditures
Approximate Percent
Funded by Fees
None $ 0 0%
F) An identification of an approximate date by which the construction of the public improvement will commence if the local agency determines that sufficient funds have been collected to complete financing on an incomplete public improvement, as identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 66001, and the public improvement remains incomplete.
Not applicable since funds were previously spent on approved projects.
G) A description of each interfund transfer or loan made from the account or fund, including the public improvement on which the transferred or loaned fees will be expended, and, in the case of an interfund loan, the date on which the loan will be repaid and the rate of interest that the account or fund will receive on the loan.
No interfund transfer or loans, utilizing these funds, were made during the fiscal year.
H) The amount of refunds made pursuant to subdivision (e) Section 66001 and any allocation pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 66001.
Refunds made during the fiscal year total $753.29.
Fees Collected $ 74,015.70
Interest 18,253.20
Refund 753.29
ANNUAL SENATE BILL 1693
COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR GROWTH MITIGATION FEES
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025
Attachment A
A) A brief description of the type of fee in the account or fund.
Traffic Improvement Fee – To provide for transportation improvements to accommodate traffic generated by future development within the City and its sphere of influence annexation areas.
B) The amount of the fee.
Single Family Per Square Foot $ 3.87
Single Family Additions Per Square Foot 3.87
Multiple Family Per Square Foot 3.89
Senior/Affordable Per Square Foot 1.08
Commercial/Industrial Per Square Foot See Note
Note: Commercial and Industrial traffic fees shall be based on land use categories.
C) The beginning and ending balance of the account or fund.
Beginning: $ 35,436,248.08
Ending: 36,393,478.63
D) The amount of the fees collected and the interest earned.
E) An identification of each public improvement on which fees were expended and the amount of the expenditures on each improvement, including the total percentage of the cost of the public improvement that was funded with fees.
Expenditures
Approximate Percent
Funded by Fees
Traffic Signal Designs $ 63,041.75 100%
Highway 101/135 Interchange 120,156.65 96%
Highway 101/Betteravia
Interchange
152,968.67 87%
Developer Reimbursement 976,727.82 100%
$ 285,872.68
F) An identification of an approximate date by which the construction of the public improvement will commence if the local agency determines that sufficient funds have been collected to complete financing on an incomplete public improvement, as identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 66001, and the public improvement remains incomplete.
Sufficient funds have not been collected.
G) A description of each interfund transfer or loan made from the account or fund, including the public improvement on which the transferred or loaned fees will be expended, and, in the case of an interfund loan, the date on which the loan will be repaid and the rate of interest that the account or fund will receive on the loan.
No interfund transfer or loans, utilizing these funds, were made during the fiscal year.
H) The amount of refunds made pursuant to subdivision (e) Section 66001 and any allocation pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 66001.
Fees Collected $ 2,558,945.19
Interest 1,217,703.72
Refund 1,506,523.47
ANNUAL SENATE BILL 1693
COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR GROWTH MITIGATION FEES
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025
Attachment A
Refunds made during the fiscal year total $1,506,523.47.
ANNUAL SENATE BILL 1693
COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR GROWTH MITIGATION FEES
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025
Attachment A
A) A brief description of the type of fee in the account or fund.
Water – To provide funding for the construction of facilities to ensure a continuing supply of potable water or purchase of State water entitlements.
B) The amount of the fee.
Single Family Per Unit Varies based on meter
Multiple Family Per Unit Varies based on meter
Senior/Affordable See Notes (A) & (B)
Industrial Per Unit See Note (B)
Notes: (A) Included with building/project meter.
(B) Commercial/industrial/residential water fees shall be computed based on meter size.
C) The beginning and ending balance of the account or fund.
Beginning: $ 4,066,970.66
Ending: 4,252,617.19
D) The amount of the fees collected and the interest earned.
E) An identification of each public improvement on which fees were expended and the amount of the expenditures on each improvement, including the total percentage of the cost of the public improvement that was funded with fees.
Expenditures
Approximate Percent
Funded by Fees
Water Well Development or
Rehabilitation
$ 102,667.20
18%
F) An identification of an approximate date by which the construction of the public improvement will commence if the local agency determines that sufficient funds have been collected to complete financing on an incomplete public improvement, as identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 66001, and the public improvement remains incomplete.
Not applicable since funds were previously spent on approved projects.
G) A description of each interfund transfer or loan made from the account or fund, including the public improvement on which the transferred or loaned fees will be expended, and, in the case of an interfund loan, the date on which the loan will be repaid and the rate of interest that the account or fund will receive on the loan.
No interfund transfer or loans, utilizing these funds, were made during the fiscal year.
H) The amount of refunds made pursuant to subdivision (e) Section 66001 and any allocation pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 66001.
Refunds made during the fiscal year total $24,946.56.
Fees Collected $ 177,494.56
Interest 135,765.73
Refund -24,946.56
ANNUAL SENATE BILL 1693
COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR GROWTH MITIGATION FEES
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025
Attachment A
A) A brief description of the type of fee in the account or fund.
Wastewater – To provide funding for the construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements and expansions, wastewater interceptors and other closely related projects.
B) The amount of the fee.
Single Family Per Unit $ 4,281.00
Multiple Family Per Unit 3,837.00
Senior/Affordable Per Unit 1,435.00
Commercial/Industrial Per Unit See Note (A)
Note:(A) Commercial and industrial wastewater fees shall be computed based on connections .
C) The beginning and ending balance of the account or fund.
Beginning: $ 8,631,257.34
Ending: 9,265,819.42
D) The amount of the fees collected and the interest earned.
E) An identification of each public improvement on which fees were expended and the amount of the
expenditures on each improvement, including the total percentage of the cost of the public improvement that was funded with fees.
Expenditures
Approximate Percent
Funded by Fees
None $
0 0%
F) An identification of an approximate date by which the construction of the public improvement will commence if the local agency determines that sufficient funds have been collected to complete financing on an incomplete public improvement, as identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 66001, and the public improvement remains incomplete.
Sufficient funds have not been collected.
G) A description of each interfund transfer or loan made from the account or fund, including the public improvement on which the transferred or loaned fees will be expended, and, in the case of an interfund loan, the date on which the loan will be repaid and the rate of interest that the account or fund will receive on the loan.
No interfund transfer or loans were made during the fiscal year utilizing these funds.
H) The amount of refunds made pursuant to subdivision (e) Section 66001 and any allocation pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 66001.
Refunds made during the fiscal year total $76,857.00
Fees Collected $ 413,621.00
Interest
Refund 297,798.08
76,857.00
FIVE YEAR COMPLIANCE REPORT
FOR GROWTH MITIGATION FEES
Attachment B
Pursuant to Government Code Section 66001(d)(1) local agencies shall make all of the following findings with respect to that portion of the account or fund remaining unexpended, whether committed or uncommitted the fifth fiscal year following the first deposit into the account or fund, and every five years thereafter:
A) Identify the purpose to which the fee is to be put.
Within the Growth Mitigation Fee Program, the following accounts have unexpended funds:
Traffic Improvement Fee $36,393,478.63
City Hall $1,358,551.40
Buildings/ Corporation Yard $1,841,560.58
Recreation and Parks $2,199,815.98
Police $(4,628,556.16)
Library $(4,277,571.00)
Fire $520,433.46
Water $4,252,617.19
Wastewater $9,265,819.42
Traffic Improvement Fee – said fee shall be utilized to construct transportation facilities and right-of-way acquisition required at the build-out of the City of Santa Maria. Transportation projects are proposed for the remaining unexpended funds as identified as “Open Projects” per the City of Santa Maria Traffic Capital Improvement Project (CIP) List. Within the near future (5 years) and in an effort to accommodate growth within the development community, the City has earmarked the following projects and associated costs utilizing Traffic Improvement Fee funds;
US 101/Betteravia Road Interchange $4,301,256
US 101/Broadway SR 135 Interchange $34,432,000
Drainage Improvement Projects $2,764,253
Depot/Cook Intersection Control Feature $245,786
Morrison/Depot Intersection Control Feature $276,509
College/Alvin Intersection Control Feature $276,509
$38,432,313
City Hall - said fee shall be utilized to construct the City Hall complex remodel. Project shall consist of design and construction site work. The overall cost of the project is proposed to be is approximately $14 million. Because insufficient fees have been collected, the City has not earmarked these projects for construction in the next five years.
Buildings/Corporation Yard – said fee shall be used to enlarge the corporation yard and facilities. This project will headquarter the Public Works Streets and Facilities Department. The overall cost for the project is approximately $13.5 million. Because insufficient corporation yard mitigation fees have been collected, the City has not earmarked the corporation yard for construction in the next five years.
Recreation and Parks – said fee shall be utilized to construct recreation facilities and parks as identified in the Growth Mitigation Recreation and Parks project list, specifically the Sports Complex and Enos Ranch House and Japanese Community Center . Recreation and Parks projects are proposed for the remaining unexpended funds and with overall project costs of approximately $41 .2 million. However, because of recent expenditures for the previously mention projects, the City has not earmarked any future projects for construction in the next five years.
$3,383,145
Attachment B
FIVE YEAR COMPLIANCE REPORT
FOR GROWTH MITIGATION FEES
Attachment B
Water - said fee shall be used for construction of a transmission line and two wells. The overall project costs are over $13.2 million. Because insufficient fees have been collected for all proposed projects, the City has initiated the construction of Well 15S. It has also proposed to identify the location of Well 16S and initiate design and construction within the next five years.
Wastewater - said fee shall be utilized to construct capital projects as identified in the Growth Mitigation Wastewater project list. Wastewater projects are proposed for the remaining unexpended funds and with overall project costs of approximately $60.9 million. Within the near future (five years), the City has earmarked the following project and associated costs utilizing Wastewater Mitigation Fee funds;
B) Demonstrate a reasonable relationship between the fee and the purpose for which it is charged.
Fees identified for the various segments of the Growth Mitigation Program identify proposed projects and infrastructure required to facilitate the operation of the City of Santa Maria at build-out. Calculation of the fee is determined by evaluating the needs (facilities and infrastructure) of the City at build-out; determining the existing and proposed population as well as the land available for residential, commercial and industrial land uses at build-out. Capital improvement project costs are determined and identified for the commercial, industrial and residential component of the Growth Mitigation Program. Those components include city hall, consolidate corporation yard, recreation and parks, police, fire, library, traffic, water and wastewater. The CIP identifies build-out projects to accommodate the need of a growing community.
C) Identify all sources and amounts of funding anticipated to complete financing in incomplete improvements identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
In addition to growth mitigation fees, sources of funding vary between the City’s General fund, state and federal grants funds, Measure A, Gas Tax and local grant funds.
D) Designate the approximate dates on which the funding referred to in subparagraph (C) is expected to be deposited into the appropriate account or fund.
The deposit of growth mitigation fees into the appropriate component of the program is conducted as the fees are collected. These funds are utilized for projects identified on the Growth Mitigation Capital Improvement Program and further designated in the City’s budget. In addition to these funds, other funding sources such as General Fund, Gas Tax, Measure A, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and State and Federal funding are utilized to support funding of projects on the CIP. These funding sources are deposited into the appropriate account or fund when collected.
Projects identified in the CIP are generally authorized for funding within approximately five years. The City of Santa Maria’s budget is established every two years. Funding for projects deemed necessary to accommodate growth is authorized in the two- year budget. Projects identified in the two- year budget are generally funded, at least partially, during a two-year cycle beginning July 1st of even-numbered years.
Dejoy Sewer Line Upgrade $1,059,000
Waste Water Treatment Plant Phase II $18,508,000
$19,567,000
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Bradley J. Dandridge, Fire Chief
DATE: December 2, 2025
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Acknowledging Receipt of the Annual Fire Inspection Report per Senate Bill 1205
Description:
The City Council will consider adopting a Resolution acknowledging receipt of the annual fire inspection report for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
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:
Adopt a Resolution acknowledging receipt of the annual report for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, for fire inspections of certain occupancies as required by Senate Bill 1205 pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Sections 13146.2, 13146.3, and 13146.4.
BACKGROUND:
The California State Fire Marshal’s Office requires that certain occupancies be inspected annually by the local fire department pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3 to enforce current building and fire safety standards.
These occupancies include hotels/m otels, multi -family residences with three or more units, and K-12 public and private schools.
Senate Bill 1205 require s every city or county fire department, or district required to perform the State -mandated inspections to report compliance with the insp ection requirements to their administering authority annually. The bill also requires the administering authority to acknowledge receipt of the report in a Resolution or similar format document. Senate Bill 1205 (Hill) was signed into law on September 27, 2018, adding Section 13146.4 to the Health and Safety Code.
DISCUSSION:
The Santa Maria Fire Department conducts annual comprehensive fire and life safety inspections of all State -mandated occupancies as outlined in Health and Safety Code 2 Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3, including schools, hotels/motels, and all known apartment complexes of three or more units.
In addition to the State -mandated inspections, the following are noteworthy accomplishments by Fire Prevention Bureau staff from July 1, 202 4, through June 30, 2025: 1,0 97 plan reviews of construction -related projects; 788 construction-related inspections; 243 business license application reviews that resulted in 58 inspections of businesses; 37 fire code related complaints that required multiple inspections and follow up; 162 assembly occupancy inspections; 82 hazardous material occupancy inspections; 354 commercial occupancy inspections; 106 Title 19 (medical facilities, rehabilitation and counseling facilities, childcare facilities and home daycare) inspections; and 56 other type inspections. These inspections resulted in 624 follow up inspections. The bureau also conducted 128 fire investigations resulting in 14 arrests and issued 119 citations for illegal fireworks. The Emergency Services Sp ecialist with support from the Fire Prevention Bureau and engine companies conducted 59 public education outreach programs resulting in contact with approximately 9,800 citizens.
Fiscal Considerations
There are no significant impacts to the general fund anticipated with this action.
Impact on the Community
The community benefits from annual inspections that ensure the minimum fire and life safety requirements are being met in accordance with Health and Safety Code Sections 13146.2 through 13146.4.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Resolution - Annual Fire Inspection Report 24-25
Attachment A
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR
THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2024, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2025, FOR
FIRE INSPECTIONS OF CERTAIN OCCUPANCIES AS
REQUIRED BY SENATE BILL 1205 PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTIONS 13146.2, 13146.3, AND
13146.4.
WHEREAS, the California State Fire Marshal’s Office requires that certain occupancies be inspected annually by local fire departments pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, Senate Bill 1205 was signed into law adding California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4 requiring every city or county fire department, or district required to perform the S tate-mandated inspections to report compliance with the inspection requirements to their administering authority annually; and
WHEREAS, the bill also requires the administering authority (City Council) to acknowledge receipt of the report in a resolution or similar format document.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, that the City Council acknowledges the measure of compliance of the Santa Maria Fire Department with California Health and Safety Code Sections 13146.2, 13146.3, and 13146.4, for the reporting period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, as follows:
SECTION 1. EDUCATIONAL GROUP E OCCUPANCIES:
Educational Group E occupancies are generally those public and private schools, used by more than six persons at any one time for educational purposes through the 12th grade.
During fiscal year 2024-25, the Santa Maria Fire Department completed the annual inspection of 22 Group E occupancies, buildings, structures, and/or facilities. This is a compliance rate of 100 percent for this reporting period.
SECTION 2. RESIDENTIAL GROUP R OCCUPANCIES:
Residential Group R occupancies are generally those occupancies containing sleeping units, which includes hotels, motels, and apartments (three units or more), etc.
During fiscal year 2024-25, the Santa Maria Fire Department completed the annual inspection of 346 Group R occupancies, buildings, structures, and/or Attachment A
facilities. This is a compliance rate of 100 percent for known and occupied Group R occupancies during this reporting period.
SECTION 3. The City Council does hereby receive the annual Fire Inspection Report as presented and orders it filed in the records of the City Clerk’s Office.
SECTION 4. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, held this 2nd day of December 2025.
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
_______________________________
Department Director
_______________________________
City Manager
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Shad S. Springer, Director of Utilities
DATE: December 2, 2025
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Agreement with Santa Maria - Bonita School District for Utility Connection and Service Outside of City Boundaries
Description:
The City Council will consider approving an agreement for utility connection and service outside of City boundaries with Santa Maria-Bonita School District.
Environmental Notice: Environmental Review for this project was completed by the Santa Maria Bonita School District through the preparation of an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (SCH #2024010761) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. The Santa Maria-Bonita School Board of Education adopted the MND on May 8, 2024.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt a Resolution approving an Agreemen t with Santa Maria -Bonita School District for Utility Connection and Service Outside of City Boundaries to permit connection for serv ice of potable (domestic) water to Bonita Elementary School site, 2715 West Main Street; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute agreement.
BACKGROUND:
Bonita Elementary School , part of the Santa Maria -Bonita School District (District), is located at 2715 West Main Street . The school lies outside of City of Santa Maria (City) boundaries and outside the City’s sphere of influence.
The school currently relies on an onsite groundwater well for its potable water. However, that existing water well source was found to have nitrate levels exceeding the maximum contaminant level, leading to a citation by Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services. Subsequently, the State Water Resources Control Board identified the system as a public health threat.
To mitigate the nitrate issue, the District requested to connect to the City’s water system for potable water service. On June 4, 2024, the City Council authorized the Director of Community Development to apply and submit an application to the Santa Barbara Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) for an out -of-agency domestic water service agreement with the District. On March 6, 2025, LAFCO approved the request.
2 On August 27, 2024, the City submitted a letter of intent to the State Water Resources Control Board to demonstrate the City’s intent to supply drinking water through consolidation with the City’s water system (Attachment “B”).
DISCUSSION:
An Agreement for Utility Connection and Service Outside of City Boundaries (Attachment “C”) has been drafted to allow the District to connect to the City’s water system and provide domestic water service to Bonita Elementary School. The District approved the agreement at its meeting on November 12, 2025. The following are key provisions of the agreement:
The District shall be responsible for installing all appropriate cross connection protection devices as determined by the City.
The District shall connect to the City’s utility services in compliance with the City’s standards, specifications, and Municipal Code.
The District shall be responsible for attaining all appropriate permits and constructing all necessary connections, piping, and appurtenances to provide service from the City’s water system to the District’s property. The District shall pay all costs of installation, connection, and use of a City meter and all fees applicable for a metered service to the City’s water system.
In addition, the District agrees to waive its right to object to or protest any future annexation of the property into the City.
Alternatives
The City Council could choose not to approve the Agreement for Utility Connection and Service Outside of City Boundaries with the District. The District would then be required to pursue other potential options for potable wat er, such as drilling a deeper well or providing source treatment to the existing well. These options may be more expensive for the District. Furthermore, the City Council authorized the LAFCO application and LAFCO has approved the provision of City water service to the District.
Fiscal Considerations
In addition to mandatory connection fees, the District will be required to pay for and install all necessary infrastructure improvements required to facilitate the connection to the City’s water system. These requirements will be a condition of their encroachment permit and fees collected at the time of application.
Impact on the Community
Approval of this agreement will eliminate a known public health threat by providing a safe and reliable potable wat er source to Bonita Elementary School, thereby protecting the health and safety of its students and faculty.
3 Impact on the City
The agreement addresses a public health threat to a pub lic school in the Santa Maria Valley with minimal impact on the City’s water system.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Resolution
B. Letter of Intent to Water Board
C. Agreement
Attachment A
RESOLUTION NO. _
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH SANTA MARIA-BONITA
SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR UTILITY CONNECTION AND SERVICE
OUTSIDE OF CITY BOUNDARIES TO PERMIT CONNECTION
FOR SERVICE OF POTABLE (DOMESTIC) WATER
TO BONITA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE, 2715 WEST MAIN STREET
WHEREAS, Santa Maria -Bonita School District (District) operates Bonita Elementary School located outside of the boundaries of the City of Santa Maria (City) at 2715 West Main Street; and
WHEREAS, Bonita Elementary School utilizes an onsite groundwater well for its potable water supply; and
WHEREAS, the District was cited by Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services for violations of safe drinking water standards associated with its groundwater well exceeding maximum contaminant levels for nitrate; and
WHEREAS, to mitigate this issue , the District requested to connect to the City’s water system to provide potable water service to Bonita Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, on June 4, 2024, the City Council of the City of Santa Maria adopted Resolution 2024-79 to authorize the Director of Community Development to apply and submit an application to the Santa Barbara Local Agency Formation Commission (“LAFCO”) for an out-of-agency domestic service agreement with the District; and
WHEREAS, on March 6, 2025 , LAFCO approved an out -of-agency service agreement for water service for the District.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT I S HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. Approve an agreement for utility connection and service outside of City boundaries with Santa Maria -Bonita School District, incorporated herein by reference, and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement; and
SECTION 2. Authorize the Chief Deputy City Clerk to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
///
Attachment A
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria held on this 2nd day of December 2025.
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
_______________________________
Department Director
_______________________________
City Manager
Attachment B
Atty Rev 2019 Page 1 of 8
Recording requested by:
City of Santa Maria
When recorded, mail to:
Donna G. Schwartz
City Clerk’s Office
City of Santa Maria
110 E. Cook Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454
No Fee per Govt. Code §6103
APN(s): 113-050-007
AGREEMENT FOR UTILITY CONNECTION
AND SERVICE OUTSIDE OF CITY BOUNDARIES
This Agreement for Utility Connection and Service Outside of City Boundaries (“Agreement”) is entered into as of the date last signed by the parties (the “Effective Date”) , by and between the City of Santa Maria , a California Municipal Corporation and charter city , organized under and existing by virtue of the laws of the State of California (“City”), and Santa Maria-Bonita School District, a public school district organized and existing under the laws of the State of California (“Connector”), in Santa Maria, California.
1. The City agrees to permit the connection of and provide service of the following designated utility to Connector’s Property (the term “Property” is defined below):
a. Potable (Domestic) Water
2. The utility connections and service provided by this Agreement shall be made according to the terms of this Agreement and all statutes, laws, rules, ordinances, orders, judicial rulings, and regulations which are currently applicable, and which become applicable to this Agreement. The City and the Connector represent that an Out -of-Service Agency Agreement was reviewed by the Santa Barbara Local Agency Formation Commission (“Commission”) in accordance with Government Code Section 56133(c), which provides for the Commission to approve such out of agency service agreements outside its sphere of influence if the City has provided the Commission with documentation of a threat to the health and safety of the public or the affected residents and is in anticipation of a later change of organization. The Commission granted its approval for the utility connection and service provided by this Agreement as required by Government Code Section 56133, as shown on Exhibit “A,” attached and incorporated hereto.
3. The utility connection and service shall serve only the real property shown on Exhibit “B,” attached and incorporated hereto, and as briefly described herein (the “Property”):
a. Approximately five and one hundredths (5.01) acres, located at 2715 West Main Street, on the northwest corner of Main Stre et and Bonita School Road, Santa Maria, California 93458 (APN 113-050-007), containing Bonita Elementary School.
ATTACHMENT "C"
Atty Rev 2019 Page 2 of 8
4. The utility connections and service to the Property shall serve the following use:
a. To provide service for the purpose of potable (domestic) water supply.
5. To the best of the Connector’s knowledge, the Connector asserts and guarantees that the real property and uses to be served (hereinafter, the “ Premises”) are currently in compliance with all applicable zoning, uniform construction , and safety codes. The Connector shall maintain the premises in compliance with these codes.
6. Prior to connection to the City’s water system, the Connector shall be responsible for installing all appropriate cross connection protection devices as determined by the City.
7. The Connector shall connect to the City’s utility services in compliance with the City’s standards, specifications, and Municipal Code. The Connector shall be responsible for attaining all appropriate permits from the City of Santa Maria and provide such plans called for in the connection to and operation of a metered connection from the City’s water system. The Connector shall be responsible for all construction of connections and necessary piping and appurtenances to provide service from the City’s water system on Black Road to the Connector’s Property. Upon completion of construction, the Connector shall be responsible for ownership and maintenance of all facilities downstream of the installed meter. The meter shall be the property of the City. The Connector shall be responsible for and pay for all costs of installation, connection, and use. Upon placement of the meter, the Connector shall be responsible for all fees applicable for a metered service to the City’s water system. The fees shall be as set forth in City’s published Schedule of Fees and Charges accessible via the City website.
8. The Connector acknowledges and agrees that the City’s responsibility for water delivery ends at connection to the City’s system. The City does not assume responsibility for water quality, quantity, or pressure beyond the point of connection, up to and including the Connector’s point of use on the Property.
9. The term of this Agreement shall continue month-to-month unless terminated as provided for herein or when the Property is annexed into the city limits of the City of Santa Maria.
10. Termination:
a. This Agreement may be terminated after thirty (30) days ’ written notice from the Director of Utilities of the City to the Connector for any of the following reasons:
i. The Connector has violated the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
The City may in its sole discretion offer the Connector an opportunity to cure, in which case the Agreement may be terminated in the event the Connector fails to commence a cure of such violation after thirty (30) day’s written notice from the City to the Connector and fails to continue such cure efforts in good faith to completion; or
ii. The Connector has illegally deposited hazardous material in the City’s water system; or
Atty Rev 2019 Page 3 of 8
iii. The Connector has failed to pay for the service provided by City pursuant to this Agreement, in conformance with the City’s published Water Service Disconnection (Shut-Off) Policy for Delinquent Accounts; or iv. The Connector utilizes the utility connection and service for any other purpose than that provided for in Section 4 above, without the express written consent of the City.
b. This Agreement may be terminated by an order of the City Council after a noticed hearing regarding such termination.
c. If this Agreement is terminated for any reason under this Section 10, the Connector must request a new Agreement, approval of which is at the sole discretion of the City Council.
11. The Connector, as set forth in this Section 11, includes agents, tenants, successors -in- interest, and any person or entity over which the Connector exercises control.
12. The Connector shall give written notice of the terms and conditions of this Agreement to any tenant, successor in interest, user , or buyer of the P remises. This Agreement shall be recorded with the County of Santa Barbara Recorder.
13. The City agrees to provide the utility connection(s) and/or service(s) described in this Agreement to the Connector on the condition that the Connector expressly waives , releases, and transfers to City any rights to object to, and shall not officially protest, any annexation of the premises described above to the City of Santa Maria, if such annexation is supported by the City. This provision is an important consideration for the City to enter into this Agreement. By entering into this Agreement, the Connector acknowledges the importance of this consideration to the City and agrees that objecting or protesting any annexation of the premises described above is a violation of this Section 14 and may result in termination pursuant to Section 9(a) of this Agreement. The City acknowledges that the Connector’s waiver, release, and transfer of its rights to object to, and agreement not to protest, any annexation of the above- described premises is contingent upon the delivery of potable water as described herein, and should the City terminate this Agreement for any reason other than a breach by the Connector, the Connector will no longer be bound by the terms of this Agreement, including this Section 14.
14. This Agreement in no way creates rights greater than those provided by law for City to provide and maintain utility services. This Agreement does not create rights in third- parties not parties to this Agreement, nor does it affect the legal liability of City by imposing a standard of care greater than imposed by law.
15. To the f ullest extent permitted by law, the Connector shall indemnify, defend (with independent counsel approved by the City) and hold harmless the City, and its directors, officers, and employees from and against all liabilities (including without limitation all claims, losses, damages, penalties, fines, an d judgments, associated investigation and administrative expenses, and defense costs, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs and costs of alternative dispute resolution) regardless of nature or type that arise out of, pertain to, or relate to the negligence, reckless, or willful Atty Rev 2019 Page 4 of 8
misconduct of the Connector or the acts or omissions of an employee, agent , or subcontractor of the Connector. The provisions of this paragraph survive completion of the services or the termination of this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 15 survive the termination of this Agreement.
16. In the event service is severed by natural disaster, public calamity, or other cause not the fault of the City, the Connector shall be solely responsible, including financially, to reconnect the service.
17. Notices, as required by law, by this Agreement, shall be made as follows:
City: Connector:
Shad S. Springer Matthew Beecher
City of Santa Maria Santa Maria-Bonita School District
Utilities Department 708 South Miller Street
2065 East Main Street Santa Maria, CA 93454
Santa Maria, CA 93454
These addresses shall be kept current by the respective parties and each party shall submit written notice of any changes to the other party in a timely manner.
18. This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the parties themselves, as well as their respective representatives, successors, executors, administrators, and permitted assigns, heirs and estates. The covenants contained herein are intended to and shall run with the land.
19. Should any provision of the Agreement be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be either invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect unimpaired by the holding.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
Atty Rev 2019 Page 5 of 8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Agreement is executed by the parties on the last date written below.
“Connector” “City”
SANTA MARIA-BONITA
SCHOOL DISTRICT
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
By: By:
MATTHEW BEECHER SHAD S. SPRINGER, P.E., MPA
Deputy Superintendent Director of Utilities
Date Signed: ______________________ Date Signed: ______________________
ATTEST
By:
DONNA G. SCHWARTZ
Chief Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM
City Attorney
Risk Manager
Atty Rev 2019 Page 6 of 8
Atty Rev 2019 Page 7 of 8
EXHIBIT “A”
COMMISSION APPROVAL
Atty Rev 2019 Page 8 of 8
EXHIBIT “B”
REAL PROPERTY MAP
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Donna G. Schwartz, Chief Deputy City Clerk
DATE: December 2, 2025
SUBJECT: Annual Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem
Description:
The City Council will consider the annual appointment of a Mayor Pro Tem to serve a one-year period
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:
Appoint a Councilmember as the Mayor Pro Tem for the next one -year period, pursuant to Council practice.
BACKGROUND:
On December 21, 1999, the City Council considered and approved a change to the informal practice previously used to appoint the Mayor Pro Tem. The City Council modified the practice to allow the appointment to occur yearly instead of a term concurrent with the term of the mayor.
The assignment of Mayor Pro Tem has been periodically rotated amongst Councilmembers on an annual basis each calendar year. Currently, there are no formal rules, policies, or procedures regarding how the Mayor Pro Tem is selected. The guidance currently adhered to comes from the California Government Code Sec tion 36801 of the California Government Code, “The city council shall meet at the meeting at which the declaration of the election results for a general municipal election […] following the declaration of the election results and the installation of electe d officials, choose one of its number as mayor, and one of its number as mayor pro tempore.”
The duties of the Mayor Pro Tem include acting on behalf of the Mayor in the Mayor’s absence. Section 36802 of the California Government Code states, “The mayor s hall preside at the meetings of the council. If s/he is absent or unable to act, the mayor pro tempore shall serve until the mayor returns or is able to act. The mayor pro tempore has all of the powers of the duties of the mayor.”
2 DISCUSSION:
On January 21, 2025, Mayor Patino nominated Councilmember Carlos Escobedo to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the calendar year 2025. The Council approved Councilmember Escobedo’s nomination . Based on past Council practice, the Mayor shall consider nominating a Councilmember to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the calendar year 2026. A majority of the City Council will be required to approve the nomination and appointment.
Alternative(s)
1) Approve and appoint the Mayor’s nominee as the Mayor Pro Tem for the next one-year period; 2) Do not approve and appoint the Mayor’s nominee and provide staff with direction to modify the appointment process; or 3) Provide staff direction.
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Donna G. Schwartz, Chief Deputy City Clerk
DATE: December 2, 2025
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving the 2026 Meeting Calendar for City Council and City of Santa Maria Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Description:
The City Council to consider a Resolution adopting the 2026 Meeting Calendar for City Council and City of Santa Maria Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
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:
Adoption of a Resolution approving the 2026 Meeting Calendar for City Council and City of Santa Maria Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
BACKGROUND:
Per City Charter section 2-1.-1 Time, day, and place.
Regular meetings of the City Council shall be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at five thirty (5:30) p.m., or if such regular meeting day shall be a legal holiday, then such meeting shall be held on the next day at five thirty (5:30) p.m. at the Council Chambers of the City Hall, unless otherwise specified.
(Prior Code § 2-5; Ord. 87-24 § 1, eff. 12/17/87; Ord. 2017-12 § 1, eff. 8/31/17)
Board, Commission, and Committee meetings are set by resolution and conducted in the same manner as the City Council.
Pursuant to Section GC54954 of the Ralph M. Brown Act:
(a) Each legislative body of a local agency, except for advisory committees or standing committees, shall provide, by ordinance, resolution, bylaws, or by whatever other rule is required for the conduct of business by that body, the time and place for holding reg ular meetings. Meetings of advisory committees or standing committees, for which an agenda is posted at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 54954.2, shall be considered for purposes of this chapter as regular meetings of the legislative body.
2 DISCUSSION:
All meetings of the local legislative body shall be open to the public, except as permitted by state law. City Council, Block Grants Advisory Committee, Library Board of Trustees, Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee, Planning Commission, and Recreation and Parks Commission are to meet as indicated in the 2026 regular meeting calendar.
Impact on the Community
Approving an annual meeting calendar does provide transparency for local legislative bodies. By establishing a publicly accessible schedule, the legislative body demonstrates accountability, ensures that constituents are informed about upcom ing meetings, and creates opportunities for public participation. Transparency in governance fosters trust between officials and the community they serve while allowing citizens to plan their engagement with issues of interest.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Resolution
Exhibit A – 2026 Meeting Calendar
Attachment A
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
APPROVING THE 2026 MEETING CALENDAR FOR
CITY COUNCIL AND CITY OF SANTA MARIA
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
WHEREAS, The Brown Act requires that legislative bodies, except for advisory bodies and standing committees, provide the time and place for regular meetings by ordinance, resolution, bylaws, or by whatever other rule is required for the conduct of business by that body. (Gov. Code, sec. 54954, subd. (a).)
WHEREAS, Per City Charter section 2-1.-1 Time, day, and place.
Regular meetings of the City Council shall be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at five -thirty (5:30) p.m., or if such regular meeting day shall be a legal holiday, then such meeting shall be held on the next day at five -thirty (5:30) p.m. at the Council Chambers of the City Hall, unless otherwise specified; and
WHEREAS, Boards, Commissions, and Committee meetings are set by resolution and conducted in the same manner as the City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA,
CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council and City of Santa Maria Boards, Commissions, and Committees 2026 meeting schedule as shown in Exhibit A of this Resolution is approved.
SECTION 2. All meetings of the local legislative body shall be open to the public, except as permitted by state law. City Council, Block Grants Advisory Committee, Library Board of Trustees, Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee, Planning Commission, and Recreation and Parks Commission are to meet as indicated in the 2026 regular meeting calendar.
SECTION 3. That the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this Resolution and enter it into the book of original Resolutions.
SECTION 4. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
Attachment A
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria held this 2nd day of December 2025.
__________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Donna G. Schwartz
Chief Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
_______________________________
Department Director
_______________________________
City Manager
Exhibit A – 2026 Meeting Calendar
City Council
5:30 pm, 110 E. Cook St.
1st and 3rd Tuesdays of Month
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
City Council, Commission, and Committee Meeting Calendar (Schedule may vary to accommodate any Special Meetings) - JANUARY -
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
- MARCH -
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
- FEBRUARY -
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
- APRIL -
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
- JUNE -
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30
- MAY -
S M T W TH F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 - JULY -
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
- AUGUST -
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
- SEPTEMBER -
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30
- OCTOBER -
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 23 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
- DECEMBER -
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
- NOVEMBER -
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30
2026
Block Grants Advisory
Committee 5:30 pm
110 S. Pine St. Community
Development Conference Room
Measure U Citizen’s Oversight
Committee 4 pm, 110 E. Cook St.
4th Monday of January
City Holidays
Planning Commission
5:30 pm, 110 E. Cook St.
1st & 3rd Wednesday
(Study Sessions 1st & 3rd
Thursday 1:30 pm)
Library Board of Trustees
1 pm, Quarterly 2nd Tuesday:
Feb, May, Aug, and Nov,
421 S. McClelland, Library
Conference Room
Recreation & Parks Commission
4 pm, 110 E. Cook St.
2nd Tuesday of Month
Cancelled City Council
Meeting - X
X
X
EXHIBIT A
X X
ATTACHMENT B