TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
FROM: Russell Bunim, Community Development Director
1. Subject
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Introduction and First Reading of an ordinance amending Title 15 of the Orange Municipal Code adopting and amending the 2025 editions of the California Building Standards Codes (2025 California Building, the 2025 California Residential Code, the 2025 California Plumbing Code, the 2025 California Green Building Code, and the 2025 California Electrical Code). Resolution No. 11637 and Ordinance No. 16-25.
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2. Summary
The 2025 California Codes take effect on January 1, 2026. The California Building Standards Commission requires local governments to enforce the most recent editions of the model codes related to construction as amended by the State. The subject Ordinance amends the Orange Municipal Code (OMC) to address the 2025 California Codes.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
1. Adopt Resolution No. 11637. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange setting forth findings with respect to local climatic and geographic conditions justifying amendments to the 2025 California Building, the 2025 California Residential Code, the 2025 California Plumbing Code, the 2025 California Green Building Code, and the 2025 California Electrical Code.
2. Introduce and conduct First Reading of Ordinance No. 16-25. An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Orange amending Title 15 of the Orange Municipal Code adopting and amending the 2025 editions of the California Building Standards Codes and related model codes, with appendices relating to the building codes.
3. Set November 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. as the date and time for a Public Hearing to consider the Second Reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 16-25.
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4. Fiscal Impact
No additional impact on the general fund.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 1: Maintain Strong Emergency and Safety Services
Objective1.5: Develop plans, policies, and procedures consistent with national standards.
6. Discussion and Background
Background
Title 15, Buildings and Construction, of the Orange Municipal Code (OMC) was last updated in 2022 to adopt updated State Building Codes. In January 2025, the California Building Standards Commission adopted new Building Codes. All local jurisdictions in California are required to update their local Building Codes by adopting the State Codes to become effective January 1, 2026.
The State of California Building Standards Commission adopts and publishes the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 California Code of Regulations) every three years, which consists of: the California Administrative, Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Wildland Urban Interface, Historical Building, Existing Building, Green Building Standards and Referenced Standards Code.
Discussion
The proposed Ordinance amends Title 15 of the OMC to reflect the State Code, with local amendments specific to the City of Orange.
The 2025 Edition of the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, incorporates the below-listed model codes.
California Building Standards Code Reference Model Code
2025 California Building Code 2024 International Building Code (ICC)
2025 California Residential Code 2024 International Residential Code (ICC)
2025 California Electrical Code 2023 National Electrical Code (NFPA)
2025 California Mechanical Code 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code (IAPMO)
2025 California Plumbing Code 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (IAPMO)
2025 California Existing Building Code 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
The State Codes proposed for adoption by reference with local amendments include the following:
2025 California Administrative Code
2025 California Building Code
2025 California Residential Code
2025 California Electrical Code
2025 California Mechanical Code
2025 California Plumbing Code
2025 California Energy Code
2025 California Historical Building Code
2025 California Existing Building Code
2025 California Green Building Standards Code
2025 California Referenced Standards
2024 International Property Maintenance Code
The most significant changes to the current version of the State Building Codes are the addition of Part 7 titled “Wildland-Urban Interface Code”, along with more stringent energy efficiency requirements.
The Community Development Department is recommending minor changes and modifications be made along with adoption of the State Codes related to Ordinance 16-25 because the changes and modifications are reasonably necessary due to local conditions in the City of Orange. Other minor modifications are of an administrative or procedural nature and pertain to subjects that are not covered by the State Codes or are reasonably necessary to safeguard life and property within the City of Orange.
State law requires any changes or modifications to the California Building Standards Code be supported by findings related to local conditions. Resolution No. 11637 contains the appropriate and necessary findings to support the recommended changes to the 2025 California Building Standards Codes found in Ordinance 16-25.
The State also requires printed copies of the Building Code to be available to the public. Therefore, the purchase of printed copies is necessary in conjunction with Building Code adoption.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution No. 11637
• Ordinance No. 16-25
• Ordinance No. 16-25 (redline)