Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Adoption and Amendments of the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code and the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code.
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From: Steven Mendoza, Interim Community Development Director
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Justin Nguyen, Building Official
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
A. Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS SUPPORTING AMENDMENTS TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, AS CONTAINED IN TITLE 15 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) OF THE WESTMINSTER MUNICIPAL CODE”; and
B. Introduce an Ordinance for first reading entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING CHAPTERS 15.08 (BUILDING CODE), 15.10 (RESIDENTIAL CODE), 15.12 (ELECTRICAL CODE), 15.14 (MECHANICAL CODE), 15.16 (PLUMBING CODE), 15.20 (GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE), AND 15.22 (FIRE CODE) OF THE WESTMINSTER MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE PROVISIONS OF THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, WITH AMENDMENTS AND ALSO ADOPTING THE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, 2024 EDITION,” read by title only and waive further reading; and
C. Schedule a public hearing to consider the adoption of the Ordinance for November 12, 2025 at 6 p.m.
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BACKGROUND
The California Health and Safety Code requires local governments to adopt and publish the most recent editions of the model codes related to construction and fire. If the City Council adopts the proposed Ordinance, the most recent editions of the codes with the applicable amendments will be in effect within the City of Westminster on January 1, 2026. If the City Council does not adopt the Ordinance, the California Building Standards Code as adopted by the State will apply without any modifications for local conditions and the International Property Maintenance Code will not apply at all.
Section 17922 of the Health and Safety Code requires the City to adopt the California Building Standards Code (CBSC). Local agencies may amend the code(s). Section 17958.5 of the Health and Safety Code requires that the local amendments be justified on the basis that local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions warrant the amendment(s). The Building Official and Fire Chief are recommending that changes and modifications be made that are reasonably necessary due to local conditions in the City to safeguard life and property. Other modifications are of administrative or procedural natures. Pursuant to AB 130 which became effective July 1, 2025, in general, the City is not allowed to make any changes or modifications to the CBSC that would be applicable to residential units. Findings are not required for changes to the adopted appendices as these appendices are not required to be adopted.
The draft ordinance and resolution are included in the packet. Based on the procedures set forth in State law, when a code is adopted by reference, it must first be introduced and then the public hearing held on second reading.
Attachment A to the proposed Resolution sets forth the findings required by law which are required to amend the CBSC. The findings are related to local conditions relating to climate, topography, and geology as required by law. These findings include the recommendations made by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). Some of these proposed amendments to the Codes include:
1. Building Code Sections 903.2 and Residential Code Sections 309.6 and 313 refer to Fire Code amendments Section 903.2 for fire sprinkler modifications - Due to Fire Department logistical limitation, the requirements of automatic sprinkler systems have been amended for new and existing commercial structures and existing residential structures. The same provisions already exist in the current (2021) code adoption cycle.
2. Building Code Table 1505.1, and Residential Code Sections R902.1, R902.1.3, and R902.2 - Due to serious hazard of rapid fire spread in local high winds, a minimum Class B roof covering is specified and the use of untreated wood roof is prohibited for new buildings and re-roofing of existing buildings. This provision already exists from the current code adoption cycle.
3. Residential Code Section R405.1 - The exception to not provide a foundation drainage system in Group 1 soils is deleted. The Orange County area natural soils are at least moderately expansive in nature. Group 1 soils by definition have a low volume change potential expansion and should not be assumed to exist without the recommendations of a geotechnical engineer. This provision already exists in the current code adoption cycle.
4. Building Code Section 3109.2 and Residential Code Appendix CI, section 115922 (a). This amendment specifies a new or modified swimming pool/spa at a private resident must have a fence or an enclosure as one of the required minimum two anti-drowning prevention measures. This provision already exists in the current code adoption cycle.
5. The amendment to the Electrical Code Article 110-5 limits the use of Aluminum wiring and requires continuous inspections for installation of aluminum wiring in sizes where the expansion and shrinkage of the aluminum due to temperature changes and seismic shaking may create fire hazards. Aluminum conductors of No. six (6) or smaller used for branch circuits shall require continuous inspection by an independent testing agency approved by the Building Official for proper torque of connections at their termination point. This provision already exists in the current code adoption cycle.
6. Plumbing Code Section 604.14 and 1208.5.4.1 - Due to corrosive soil in our area, a requirement has been added for the protection of underground metallic water pipes and underground gas installations. These provisions already exist in the previous code adoption cycle.
The remainders of the proposed amendments are administrative or procedural in nature. The proposed amendments are consistent with the Orange County Code Uniformity Group. Findings are not required for these changes.
In addition, staff is recommending that the City Council adopt the International Property Maintenance Code (“IPMC”). The IPMC is designed to be compatible with, and not conflict with, the California Building Standards Code and the Uniform Housing Code. Most cities, throughout the County have adopted the IPMC and this tool is heavily trained by the Code Enforcement industry, therefore the City’s code officers are aware of the code and appropriate usage. The IPMC does not conflict with the City’s existing regulations on Nuisances which is set forth in Chapter 8.20 of the Westminster Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The Ordinance includes a determination that adoption is not subject to CEQA pursuant to the common-sense exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3). The 2025 California Building Standards Code applies to the City by default. The amendments and the additional codes that are being adopted are for the protection of the public health and safety and will not have any environmental effects.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
The State’s Health and Safety Code requires local governments to adopt the most recent editions of the model codes related to construction and fire. Staff is recommending that the Council adopt the attached resolution, introduce the proposed Ordinance, and schedule a public hearing for the second reading and adoption of the ordinance to be held November 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. If adopted by the Council, the most recent editions of the California Building Standards code with the applicable amendments will become effective January 1, 2026, as required by State Law.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Ordinance Adopting the 2025 Editions of the California Building Standards Codes
2. Draft Resolution Adopting Legislative Findings Supporting Amendments to the California State Building Standards Codes
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager