To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Molly Rattigan, Community Resources and Development Director
Prepared By: Bill Collins, Chief Building Official
TITLE:
Title
Adoption of the 2025 Building Code Standards
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Approve the first reading and introduction of an ordinance amending Napa Municipal Code Sections 15.04.010, 15.04.030, 15.04.040, 15.04.050, 15.04.060, 15.04.070, 15.04.080, and 15.04.090, adopting by reference the 2025 California Building Code; the 2025 California Residential Code; the 2025 California Electrical Code; the 2025 California Plumbing Code; the 2025 California Mechanical Code; the 2025 California Energy Code, the 2025 California Administrative Code; the 2025 California Wildlands Urban-Interface Code; the 2025 California Historical Building Code; the 2025 California Fire Code; the 2025 California Existing Building Code; the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code; the 2025 California Referenced Standards Code, including appendices identified herein; together with certain amendments, additions, deletions, and penalties; and determining that the actions authorized by this ordinance are exempt from CEQA.
Body
DISCUSSION:
Building Codes are regulations governing the design, construction, alteration, and maintenance of all residential and commercial structures, including accessory structures. The Codes specify the minimum requirements to adequately safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants.
The California Health and Safety Code Section 17958 mandates that the California Building Standards Commission adopt and publish the State Code (Title 24, California Code of Regulations) every three years. The 2025 State Code, which incorporates the below-listed codes, becomes effective statewide on January 1, 2026. If approved, the proposed Ordinance would amend Napa Municipal Code Sections 15.04.010, 15.04.030, 15.04.040, 15.04.050, 15.04.060, 15.04.070, 15.04.080, and 15.04.090 to adopt by reference the 2025 State Code and local amendments to the California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code, California Green Building Code, California Fire Code and California Energy Code.
The specific parts of the 2025 State Code proposed for adoption by reference include the following:
2025 California Administrative Code
2025 California Building Code
2025 California Residential Code
2025 California Plumbing Code
2025 California Mechanical Code
2025 California Electrical Code
2025 California Existing Building Code
2025 California Green Building Code
2025 California Fire Code
2025 California Historic Building Code
2025 California Referenced Standards Code
2025 California Energy Code
2025 California Wildland- Urban Interface Code
Staff has analyzed the 2025 State Code and, as has been recommended by staff and approved by City Council in the past, proposes local amendments to the 2025 State Code tailored to meet the specific climatic, geographical and topographical conditions in the City of Napa, which are described in the recitals of the proposed Ordinance. The Building Division of the Community Resources and Development Department and Fire Department recommend that local amendments be made to the 2025 Building, Residential, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), Green Building, and Fire Codes.
The proposed local amendments are all reasonably necessary due to local conditions in the City of Napa and include modifications of an administrative or procedural nature, and subjects that are not adequately covered by the Codes that are necessary to safeguard life and property within the City.
Examples include photovoltaic installation standards; fire-rated roofing materials; and fire protection sprinkler systems. The proposed Ordinance includes the findings required by State law for the City to enforce the local amendments to the 2025 Codes.
The Notice of Public Hearing that was published in the Napa Valley Register also stated the intention to consider an amendment to the Napa Municipal Code to add Section 15.04.130. Staff will facilitate a meeting with local contractors prior to presenting this amendment for consideration by City Council.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
Existing City fees approved by the City Council, as assembled in the City’s Master Fee Schedule, include for plan check, permit, and inspection fees for the Building Division and Fire Prevention Division. The proposed Ordinance does not address or recommend any changes to existing fees at this time.
CEQA:
City staff recommends that the City Council determine that the Recommended Action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section15061(b)(3) which exempts activities that do not have the potential for having a significant effect on the environment.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1- Ordinance
NOTIFICATION:
Legal notice of the public hearing was published in the Napa Valley Register at least 10 days prior to the public hearing.