AGENDA TITLE:
title
Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of the 2025 California Building Code, California Existing Building Code, Mechanical Code, Electrical Code, Plumbing Code, Residential Code, Green Building Standard Code, and Fire Code (CD)
end
MEETING DATE:
December 17, 2025
PREPARED BY:
Derek Poe, Chief Building Official
recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of the 2025 California Building Code, California Existing Building Code, Mechanical Code, Electrical Code, Plumbing Code, Residential Code, Green Building Standard Code, and Fire Code.
body
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 18938, the California Building Standards Commission has selected January 1, 2026, as the effective date for the 2025 California Building Code, 2025 California Existing Building Code, 2025 California Mechanical Code, 2025 California Electrical Code, 2025 California Plumbing Code, 2025 California Residential Code, 2025 California Fire Code, and 2025 California Green Building Standard Code.
Every three years, Building/Construction and Fire Codes are amended by the State to include provisions of the most recent version. The State of California Building Standards Commission adopts new State standards, which cities and counties are therefore mandated to adopt. If codes with amendments are not adopted locally by January 1, 2026, then cities are required to follow State codes only. The need for the new ordinances is to adopt specific appendixes and/or administration provisions not adopted by the State. An example of this is:
• Administration Chapter I, Division II has been amended to have the City Council sit as the board of appeals for alternate materials and types of construction versus a separate appointed board of appeals; and
• Appendix J will be adopted to assist staff and design professionals with clear direction for construction design guidelines for grading, excavation, and earthwork.
The major changes in this code cycle are in the California Building Code, California Energy Code, and California Green Building Standard Code. These changes will have some benefits and restrictions compared to the existing Codes. Some of the changes in the building codes are as follows:
California Residential Code Changes:
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging: The 2025 code mandates the installation of actual Level 2 EV chargers and receptacle outlets, rather than just making spaces "EV Capable".
Wildfire Resistance (WUI Code): The new code includes updated requirements for construction in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zones to improve the survivability of structures from wildfires.
Energy Efficiency: In addition to the mandatory EV charging, the code is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which may impact mechanical layouts and panel capacity planning.
Construction Waste Management: A new mandatory section requires formal Construction Waste Management (CWM) plans for all projects, with a 65% diversion mandate for waste.
Inspection and Testing: There are stricter protocols for laboratory testing and documentation of materials like concrete and steel.
Bird-Friendly Design: New requirements have been added for bird-friendly building design.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention: New obligations have been created for stormwater pollution prevention.
Code Consolidation: The 2025 code consolidates certain sections, placing more emphasis on mandatory prescriptive requirements.
Efficiency Dwelling Unit (EDUs): The minimum floor area for EDUs has been reduced to 190 square feet.
Unvented Attics: A new option is available for regulating unvented attics with specific insulation types in warmer climate zones (1, 2, and 3).
Inspector Requirements: The code clarifies the requirements for assistant inspectors and their responsibilities.
California Building Code Changes:
Fire and life safety
Lithium-ion battery facilities: New, stringent requirements classify some battery manufacturing or storage facilities as moderate or high-hazard occupancies, mandating automatic sprinkler systems where they were previously not required.
Two-way communication systems: Mandated in stairwells and elevator lobbies, requiring compliance with NFPA 72. Also, two-way communication systems are now required at horizontal exits.
Smokeproof enclosures: More robust requirements are introduced for these critical fire barriers.
Emergency power: Expanded requirements for emergency power and illumination.
Complex egress systems: New rules for delayed and controlled egress doors.
Structural and seismic
Seismic resilience: Strengthened criteria for buildings in seismic zones, particularly for Soft, Weak or Open-Front (SWOF) structures.
School buildings: New exceptions allow repairs to non-disaster damage on school buildings within 50 feet of active fault traces.
Energy and sustainability
Energy efficiency: The new energy code expands the use of heat pumps in new residential buildings and strengthens ventilation standards.
EV charging: The code now mandates the installation of actual Level 2 EV chargers and receptacle outlets, replacing previous "EV-capable" requirements.
Construction waste: All projects must create and follow a formal Construction Waste Management (CWM) plan with a 65% diversion mandate.
Stormwater and bird-friendly design: New mandatory sections are added for stormwater pollution prevention and bird-friendly building design.
Accessibility and administration
Accessibility: New exceptions exempt certain teacher or district employee dwellings and community college student housing buildings from Department of State Architect (DSA) review for Access Compliance.
Inspector certification: New articles consolidate and clarify inspector certification, renewal, conduct, and other related requirements.
Staff has attempted to notify all affected parties by publication in the Lodi News-Sentinel and the City of Lodi Newsletter, e-mail notifications, and has posted notices and provided copies at the front counter. Informational handouts are currently being revised to reflect the new code requirements. These handouts will be available at the Building & Safety kiosk and on the City web page on or before January 1, 2026.
Staff’s recommendation is to approve the 2025 codes as amended. The ordinances have been presented in redlined format to more easily identify the changes to aid in review.
STRATEGIC VISION:
4E. Housing: Adopt standards and policies to promote housing for all economic levels.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Not applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Not applicable.