STAFF REPORT - CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY

Introduce and Waive First Reading of Ordinance No. 876, an ordinance of the City of Coalinga, California, Amending Title 8 of the Coalinga Municipal Code to adopt by reference the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24), including:

  a. The 2025 California Administrative Code;

  b. The 2025 California Building Code, including Chapter 1;

  c. The 2025 California Residential Code;

  d. The 2025 California Electrical Code;

  e. The 2025 California Mechanical Code;

  f .The 2025 California Plumbing Code;

  g. The 2025 California Energy Code;

  h. The 2025 California Historical Building Code;

  i. The 2025 California Fire Code, including Chapter 1, and Appendix B

  j. The 2025 California Existing Building Code

  k. The 2025 California Green Building Standards Code

  l. The 2025 California Wildland Urban Interface Code

  m. The California Referenced Standards Code 2025 Edition; and

  n. 2024 International Property Maintenance Code

Under State Law, the 2025 California Building Standards Code will become effective statewide on January 1, 2026, and will apply to building permit applications submitted from that date forward. Permit applications submitted prior to the January 1, 2026, effective date will continue to be covered under the 2022 Code.

The City has historically adopted updated local amendments every 3 years. However, in the last couple of code cycles there has been a shift to simplify the local code by deleting un-necessary local amendments to provide more clarity on the existing CBSC requirements. Fewer local amendments simplifies the plan check process and minimizes construction corrections for outside contractors.

Because the 2025 California Building Standards Code will go into effect statewide on January 1, 2026, the City must adopt an ordinance to implement desired local amendments to the California Building Standards Code to address climatic, geological, and/or topographical conditions specific to the City of Coalinga. It is critical to have the local amendments adopted for clarity and continuity of enforceability. This ordinance includes Chapter 1 from the Building and Fire Codes, which assist staff in enforceability, and in achieving Council Strategic Priority of Community Beautification.  

• Introduce and Waive First Reading of Ordinance No. 876 (Recommendation)
• Do not adopt Ordinance No. 876 (not recommend)