City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: March 3, 2026
From: Daniel S. Wall, P.E., Director of Public Works-City Engineer Department: Public Works
Submitted by: Rosemary Lozada, Management Analyst
Subject
2025 California Building Standards Code Adoption
Recommendation
A. Introduce and conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 1310 Adopting the 2025 California Building Standards Code; and
B. Direct staff to schedule second reading and adoption for the March 17, 2026 City Council meeting.
Background
Every three years, the California Department of General Services' Building Code Standards Commission reviews, revises and adopts building and construction codes. In previous triennial cycles, the City has made amendments to the state adopted codes and submitted those amendments to the state along with justification for those amendments. In the past, these amendments served to provide our businesses with a competitive advantage, but this is no longer the case. Recently, the state adopted building codes are the comprehensive standard used by the design and construction community and relied upon by the insurance industry to minimize the loss of life and property.
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) classifies fire departments and municipal building departments. These ratings are used by insurers to establish rates. Vernon is protected by a Class 2 Fire Department and a Class 3 Building Department. One of the areas the Building Department can improve in its quest to be rated Class 1 is by adopting State building codes without amendment.
Accordingly, Ordinance No. 1310 amends Title 15 (Building and Construction) to adopt State codes without amendment. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 50022.3, after the first reading of this ordinance the Council should direct staff to schedule a public hearing for second reading and adoption of the ordinance.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Attachments
1. Ordinance No. 1310