Staff Report — Simi Valley City Council, November 17, 2025

C ITY OF SIMI VALLEY

MEMORANDUM
N
ovember 17, 2025
To: Cit
y Council
Fr
om: Department of Environmental Services
Stratis Perros, Environmental Services Director
Subj
ect: A Public Hearing and Second Reading Ordinance No. 1366 to consider amendments to the Simi Valley Municipal Code Title 8 Building Regulations adopting the 2025 California Building Standards Code by Reference and determination that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
Staff Recommendation
I
t is recommended that the City Council adopt , at the conclusion of the public hearing, Ordinance No. 1366 (Attachment B) to amend Title 8 relating to Building Regulations of the Simi Valley Municipal Code.

Background
O
n November 3, 2025, the City Council introduced Ordinance No. 1366 for first reading and scheduled a second reading and public hearing for November 17, 2025, in accordance with Government Code Section 50022.3. This Government Code Section requires the second reading.

O
n July 1, 2025, the State of California Building Standards Commission adopted the 2025 California Building Standards Codes Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations to be effective through out the State on January 1, 2026. Local jurisdictions then adopt the codes by reference. This proposed ordinance amends Title 8, adopting by reference the 2025 edition of the California Building Codes as required by the State. Title 8 of the Simi Valley Municipal Code and the California Building Codes establish the primary basis of authority under which the Division of Building and Safety regulates building construction in the City of Simi Valley. The purpose of the Code and this proposed ordinance is to safeguard public health and safety through the implementation of minimum standards for structural and life safety in the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings, structures, and related equipment.

C
alifornia Government Code 50022.3 requires that when a local agency adopts codes by reference, the introduction and first reading of the ordinance title and title of the codes being considered for adoption must be read into the record to ensure transparency about what is being proposed. The public hearing is then scheduled for the second reading, which follows the procedures of Government Code Section 6066.

AGENDA ITEM NO.

Discussion

Updated editions of the model building codes are published every three years through the International Code Council’s code development process. Code development is a consensus process where the construction industry, material manufacturers, and code officials modify and ratify the model codes at the national level. In turn, these model codes are amended by the State and adopted by the California Building Standards Commission as Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, and subsequently adopted and amended by all city and county jurisdictions throughout the State. This proposed ordinance conforms to the mandate in the California Health and Safety Code requiring every city and county to adopt the same construction standards contained in the California Building Standards Code.

It should be noted that failure to adopt the proposed ordinance would result in the automatic adoption of the model code as amended by the State, per California Health and Safety Code Section 17958, effective January 1, 2026. Such an adoption by default would create inconsistencies within Title 8 of the Simi Valley Municipal Code in the specific sections that had adopted the previous editions of the California Building Codes.

With past code adoptions, the City’s process was to repeal and replace all of Title 8. The adoption by reference sections were amended to the current code editions; however, the existing administrative provisions, local seismic standards , and technical provisions addressing local geologic and climatic conditions ( large earthquakes from nearby faults, high winds, soil conditions, and liquefaction) remained in the ordinance unchanged.

These existing local standards contained in SVMC Title 8 are a continuation of practices developed as a result of the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California joint task force (which included State and Federal Agencies and university researchers) investigation into the poor structural performance and building failures during the Northridge Earthquake of 1994, and primarily address improved wood shear wall design and assembly practices and foundation design.

This proposed ordinance only amends the specific code adopting sections and does not include the existing local standards that were previously approv ed by the City Council, filed with the State, and remain in Title 8. This change in the adoption process is due to the passage of California Assembly Bill (AB) 130 in 2025. AB 130 created a moratorium on new local building code standards adopted after September 30, 2025. This moratorium will be in place through June 1, 2031.

The project has been determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15308 of the State CEQA Guidelines, titled, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment, which reads as follows:

"Class 8 consists of actions taken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by state or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. Construction activities and relaxation of standards allowing environmental degradation are not included in this exemption."

2 A Notice of Exemption ( Attachment C) was prepared for the project and is attached to this report.

Financial Impact

No financial impact. Adoption and enforcement of the Building Codes creates no additional financial impact on the City, as existing Building and Safety permitting, plan review, and inspection services are based on cost recovery fees for these services.

Council Priority

This item supports the Thriving Community Pillar of Excellence. Updating the building code ensures that buildings are designed and constructed to meet minimum standards for structural integrity, fire safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility, thereby reducing risks of injury, property loss, and unsafe living conditions.

Suggested Motion

I move to adopt, at the conclusion of the public hearing, Ordinance No. 1366 to amend Title 8 relating to Building Regulations of the Simi Valley Municipal Code.

Summary

On November 3, 2025, the City Council introduced Ordinance No. 1366 for first reading and scheduled a second reading and public hearing for November 17, 2025, in accordance with Government Code Section 50022.3. This Government Code Section requires the second reading. It is recommended that the City Council adopt, at the conclusion of the public hearing, Ordinance No. 1366 (Attachment A) to amend Title 8 relating to Building Regulations of the Simi Valley Municipal Code.

Prepared by: Ted Drago, Deputy Environmental Services Director/Building Official

Attachments

Attachment A - Public Hearing Procedure
Attachment B - Ordinance No.1366
Attachment C - Notice of Exemption

3 A ttachment A
P

UBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE
HE
ARING DATE: November 17, 2025
CITY CLERK: This is the time and place set for a public hearing to consider A Public Hearing and Second Reading Ordinance No. 1366
to consider amendments to the Simi Valley Municipal Code Title 8 Building Regulations adopting the 2025 California Building Standards Code by Reference and determination
that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act . (Read by City Clerk including reading of
Resolution AND/OR Ordinance if applicable)

1. MAYOR: Before we begin, are there any ex parte communications to report?

2. A

NY COUNCIL
MEMBER: (Report)

3. MAYOR: Staff may begin with the oral report on this matter.

4. STAFF: (Report)

5. MAYOR: Any questions of staff from City Council Members? (Questions of staff and staff response)

6. MAYOR: At this time, I would like to open the hearing for anyone in the City Council Chambers wishing to be heard on this matter?

7. AUDIENCE: Public Testimony and Comments

8. MAYOR: Does Staff desire to respond to any comments or issues raised?

9. STAFF: (Response to comments and additional City Council questions)

10. MAYOR: Any further comments or questions from City Council Members?

11. MAYOR: The hearing is now closed.

12. MAYOR: I will now entertain a motion.
4 13. ANY COUNCIL
MEMBER : NOTE: PICK THE APPLICABLE ACTION(S) & CHANGE ITEM NUMBER(S) OF ACTION(S) AS NEEDED:

City Council Actions (by motion of any Council Member):

1) Introduce, modify, and re-introduce, or not adopt
Ordinance No. 1366 (does not require a second or a vote; requires reading of ordinance).

*Any action to refer the matter back to staff or to continue the matter requires a second and a vote.

14. ANY COUNCIL
MEMBER : Second

15. MAYOR: (Call for vote)

16. MAYOR: Proceed to the next item.

5 Attachment B
ORDINANCE NO. 1366

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SIMI VALLEY AMENDING TITLE 8 OF THE SIMI

VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE ADOPTING BY
REFERENCE, THE CODES THAT COMPRISE TITLE 24

OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS AND
SPECIFICALLY THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA
BUILDING CODE; THE 2025 EDITION OF THE
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE; THE 2025 EDITION
OF THE CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE; THE 2025
EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE;
THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA PLUMBING
CODE; THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA
ENERGY CODE; THE 2025 EDITION OF THE
CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE;
THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL
BUILDING CODE; THE 2025 EDITION OF THE
CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE; THE 2025

EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA REFERENCED
STANDARDS CODE; THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE; AND THE 2025

EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN

INTERFACE CODE

WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that enforcement of the most current editions of the California Building Standards Code, as recited herein as certain minimum standards, are necessary for the protection of the public health, safety , and welfare of citizens of Simi Valley; and

WHEREAS, the adoption of the International and State Building Codes in their most current editions is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15308 of the State CEQA Guidelines.

NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The City Council adopts the attached amendments to Title 8 of the Simi Valley Municipal Code as set forth in Exhibit A.

SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall cause this ordinance to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation, published and circulated in the City within fifteen (15) days after its passage, or publish a summary of the ordinance, in accordance with Section 36933 of the Government Code; shall certify to the adoption of 6 this ordinance and shall cause a certified copy of this ordinance, together with proof of publication, to be filed in the office of the City Clerk of this City.

SECTION 3. This ordinance shall go into effect and be in full force and effect at 12:01 a.m. on the thirty-first (31st) day after its passage.

PASSED and ADOPTED this 17
th day of November

Attest:

Lucy Blanco, City Clerk Dee Dee Cavanaugh, Mayor of the City of Simi Valley, California

Approved as to Form: Approved as to Content:

Algeria R. Ford, City Attorney Samantha C. Argabrite, City Manager

Stratis Perros
Environmental Services Director

7 ORD. NO. 1366
Exhibit A
Chapter 2 - DEFINITIONS

8-2.01 Definitions

This subsection is hereby amended to read as follows:

(f) “Building Code” means the 2025 California Building Code (CBC), or the International Building Code (IBC), 2024 edition, promulgated by the International Code Council, including the appendix thereto, together with those omissions, amendments, exceptions and additions thereto as amended in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations and in this Title.

This subsection is hereby amended to read as follows:

(r) “Electrical Code” means the 2025 California Electric Code or National Electric Code (NEC), 2023 edition, promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, as amended and set forth in the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, and in this Title.

This subsection is hereby amended to read as follows:
(k) “Fire Code” is the California Fire Code (CFC), 2025 e dition, promulgated by the International Code Council, including the Appendix thereto, together with those omissions, amendments, exceptions and additions thereto as amended in the California Code of Regulations, and Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.

This subsection is hereby amended to read as follows:
(n) “Mechanical Code” is the 2025 California Mechanical Code (CMC) or the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), 2024 edition, promulgated by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials , including appendix thereto, together with those omissions, amendments, exceptions and additions thereto as amended in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations and in this Title.

This subsection is hereby amended to read as follows:
(r) “Plumbing Code” is the 2025 California Plumbing Code (CPC), or Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), 2024 edition, promulgated by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, including the appendix thereto together with those omissions, amendments, exceptions and additions thereto as amended in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations and in this Title.

Chapter 11 – ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

8-11.01 Adoption.