City Council

10C. Consider local Municipal Code amendments which modify the 2025 California\nBuilding Standards Code related to building safety, fire prevention, energy\nefficiency and green building, in alignment with the City’s Climate Action Plan\ngoals and targets. Environmental Considerations: The amendments proposed\nwill not have a significant effect on the environment because the strengthened\nrequirements reduce hazards and accommodate features to reduce\nenvironmental effects. Adoption of the amendments is exempt from\nenvironmental review as per Section 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines, which\nallows a categorical exemption for "actions taken by regulatory. agencies, as\nauthorized by state or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance, restoration,\nenhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process\ninvolves procedures for protection of the environment." Furthermore, the\namendments related to energy efficiency and green building were previously\nevaluated in the Final Negative Declaration (ND) for the Climate Action Plan\n(Case No. 17-224), dated December 5, 2017, and Addendum to the ND (Case\nNo. ENV-004106-2020), dated Oct 20, 2020. The ND and the Addendum\nevaluated the potential environmental effects of the implementation of the\nClimate Action Plan, including the adoption and enforcement of energy\nefficiency and renewable energy ordinances. This project is within the scope\nof the Final Negative Declaration and the Addendum, and no further California\nEnvironmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance is required. Contact Persons:\nPrincipal Planner Maynard, Sustainability Manager Najera, and Interim Fire\nMarshall Villagomez\nRecommended Action: Direct staff to prepare ordinances for City Council\nconsideration, to adopt local Municipal Code amendments which modify the\n2025 California Building Standards Code, and continue the following existing\nlocal codes which require enhanced building safety, fire prevention, energy\nefficiency and green building regulation, with minor changes: 1) Building Code\nAmendments (EMC 23.12.030.B); 2) Fire Code Amendments (EMC\n10.04.020); 3) Electric Readiness (EMC 23.12.080.J); 4) Existing Building\nEnergy Efficiency (EMC 23.12.080.D and E); 5) Electric Vehicle Charging\n(EMC 23.12.110.E); and 6) Graywater Systems (EMC 23.12.110.D).\n2025-08-13 Item 10C Direction on Reach Codes