City Council Staff Report Page 1 of 3 November 25, 2025 Staff Report
Agenda Item No. 4.1
DATE: November 25, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Kris Kokotaylo, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Conduct A Public Hearing And Waive Further Reading And Adopt An Ordinance Repealing And Replacing Chapters 15.20, 15.40,
15.44, 15.48, 15.52, 15.80, 15.81, And 15.84 Of Title 15, Building And Construction, Of The Union City Municipal Code To Incorporate The 2025 California Building Codes With Local Amendments
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Every three years, the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), along with other state agencies, reviews the California Building Standards Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24) for use throughout California. The Building Standards Codes are codified as Union City Municipal Code Title 15, Building and Construction. Once adopted by the State, the revisions become effective by default and without local approval or amendments. Cities and counties may then adopt local amendments to the California Building Standards Code based on local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions. Any amendments by the City must be at least as stringent as those outlined in the Building Standards Code.
On October 28, 2025, the City Council introduced an Ordinance repealing and replacing various chapters of Title 15 of the Municipal Code to incorporate the 2025 California Building Codes, with local amendments. Because the California Building Standards Code will be adopted by reference, a public hearing must be held after the Ordinance is introduced. That hearing is set to be heard concurrently with this adoption of the Ordinance.
Staff and the City Attorney’s Office recommend that the City Council conduct a public hearing, waive further reading, and adopt the proposed Ordinance repealing and replacing various chapters of Title 15 of the Municipal Code to incorporate the 2025 California Building Codes. The City Council previously adopted a resolution finding that local climatic, geologic, and topographic conditions justify local amendments.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
This item is not related to the strategic plan as it is required as part of the triennial update to the California Building Codes.
Agenda Item No. 4.1
City Council Staff Report Page 2 of 3 November 25, 2025
BACKGROUND
The regulations in California governing building standards are found in the California Building Standards Code (CBS), also known as Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). The California Building Standards Code is made up of 12 parts containing various construction codes (i.e., building, residential, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, energy, green building, existing building, fire, historical structures, etc.), which are adopted in whole or in part and then amended by some 14 different State agencies. The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) is an independent commission within the State Consumer Services Agency responsible for reviewing, adopting, and publishing the State of California's building standards. Every three years, the CBSC, along with other State agencies, reviews the California Building Standards Code for use throughout California. Once adopted by the State, the revisions become effective by default and without local approval or amendments.
In accordance with State law, the newly updated 2025 California Building Standards Code, in its entirety, and other related appendices will go into effect on January 1, 2026, with or without City action.
The California Health and Safety Code allows local governments to amend building standards contained in the California Building Standards Code when the modifications are at least as stringent as the requirements of the codes, provided that amendments are made by resolution with express findings of need based on local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions.
The 2022 California Building Standards Code, currently in effect in Union City, will become null and void effective January 1, 2026, at which time the 2025 Building Standards Code will become effective throughout California. The proposed Ordinance will adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code by reference and include local amendments consisting of structural, fire and life safety, green building and sustainability, and administrative provisions or procedures. The majority of the proposed amendments are continuations of previously adopted amendments from prior code adoption cycles and are thus excluded from the moratorium imposed by AB 130.
DISCUSSION
State Building Codes
A complete copy of the proposed Ordinance is included as Attachment A. The proposed Ordinance includes the adoption of the following building codes by reference and publishes the revised sections of the Union City Municipal Code, as follows:
• Chapter 15.20 California Fire Code– CCR Title 24 Part 9 • Chapter 15.40 California Building Code– CCR Title 24 Part 2 • Chapter 15.44 California Electrical Code– CCR Title 24 Part 4 • Chapter 15.48 California Plumbing Code– CCR Title 24 Part 6 • Chapter 15.52 California Mechanical Code– CCR Title 24 Part 5 • Chapter 15.80 California Residential Code– CCR Title 24 Part 3 • Chapter 15.81 California Existing Building Code– CCR Title 24 Part 10 • Chapter 15.84 California Green Building Standards Code– CCR Title 24 Part 11 Agenda Item No. 4.1
City Council Staff Report Page 3 of 3 November 25, 2025 Approval of the Ordinance will ensure consistency of the City of Union City’s Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Existing Building Codes with state standards and ensure that the City codes provide additional protection for the health, welfare, and safety of residents required due to local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions.
Public Notice and Outreach
Because the California Building Standards Code will be adopted by reference, a public hearing must be held after the Ordinance is introduced. That hearing is scheduled to be held concurrently with this item. In accordance with Government Code Sections 50022.3 and 6066, notice of the public hearing has been published twice in a newspaper of general circulation.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no fiscal impacts associated with the introduction of the attached ordinances.
The proposed Ordinances maintain fees at the current rate outlined in the Union City Master Fee Schedule for permits, plan checking, and other Building Division and Fire Department services.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council hold a public hearing, waive further reading, and adopt an Ordinance to repeal and replace chapters 15.20, 15.40, 15.44, 15.48, 15.52,
15.80, 15.81, and 15.84 of Title 15, Building and Construction, of the Union City Municipal Code to incorporate the 2025 California Building Codes with local amendments.
Prepared by: Erica Gonzalez, Attorney
Submitted by: Kristopher J. Kokotaylo, City Attorney
Attachments:
1. Draft Ordinance