REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Adoption of a Resolution Establishing the Necessary Findings of Fact for Modifications to the California Building Standards; Action on Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Title 15 (“Municipal Fire and Environmental Code”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” for the Adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code; and Setting October 21, 2025, for a Public Hearing on Adoption of such Ordinance
Report
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Deliver and Enhance High Quality, Efficient Services and Infrastructure
Promote Sustainability and Environmental Protection
BACKGROUND
Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, also referred to as the California Building Standards Code, governs the design, construction, and regulation of buildings, facilities, and associated processes throughout California. The California Building Standards Commission updates the Building Standards Code on a triennial basis to improve safety, sustainability, resiliency, and incorporate new technologies, designs, and construction methods. Throughout each code adoption cycle, amendments to the fire code are developed through a lengthy public participation process. State Code Advisory Committees provide recommendations to the California Building Standards Commission on the various proposed amendments to the Building Standards. Following this process, the California Building Standards Commission adopted the 2025 California Building Standards Code and published it on July 1, 2025. The 2025 California Building Standards Code, including Part 9 (the California Fire Code), will take effect statewide on January 1, 2026.
Local jurisdictions are encouraged to participate in the development of the California Building Standards Code, to be adopted throughout the State, establishing a common level of standards that are universally applicable. Local jurisdictions may then adopt the California Building Standards Code to act as the governing Building Standards Code within their jurisdiction. The local adoption process allows for each jurisdiction to make modify to the Building Standards Code to address local concerns, based on findings that local climatic, geographical, or topographical conditions warrant the changes. Local modifications are commonly made to address local context and concerns that may not be applicable on a statewide level. The City of Santa Clara adopted the current 2022 California Fire Code, with amendments, in November 2022. These standards have been in effect since January 1, 2023. This Ordinance is the typical process for adopting the new 2025 California Fire Code, along with local amendments, to take effect January 1, 2026.
Title 15 (“Municipal Fire and Environmental Code”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” provides regulations pertaining to the design and construction of buildings and regulated processes within the City. For Santa Clara to adopt the 2025 California Fire Code, Chapter 15.60 in Title 15 will need to be amended accordingly in the proposed Ordinance (Attachment 1). Local modifications are also incorporated into the proposed Ordinance, accompanied by a Resolution of Findings (Attachment 2), which details the local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions justifying these modifications. Following adoption by the City, the Fire Code Official will file a copy of the Ordinance and Resolution with the California Building Standards Commission.
DISCUSSION
As part of the triennial code adoption cycle, and pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958 and 18941.5, staff recommends that the City Council adopt the 2025 California Fire Code, Part 9 of the 2025 California Building Standards Code.
These amendments were developed collaboratively through the Santa Clara County Fire Marshal’s Fire Code Work Group, a subcommittee of the Santa Clara County Fire Chiefs’ Association. This regional process promotes uniform application of local amendments to the extent possible across Santa Clara County. The collaborative approach also reduces duplication of effort, strengthens coordination among agencies, and provides greater clarity for developers, businesses, and contractors who operate in multiple jurisdictions. The California Fire Code is developed as a set of statewide minimum standards. To be effective, however, it must be adapted to reflect the diverse conditions faced by individual communities. Variations in climate, topography, geology, firefighting tactics, staffing capabilities, and available resources often require additional local protections. These conditions, coupled with the City’s high concentration of technology and industrial facilities, necessitate additional safeguards for the storage and management of hazardous materials.
The adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code, together with the proposed local amendments detailed in Exhibit 1 (Attachment 2), advances the City’s General Plan goals and policies related to the adoption of the California Building Standards Code, Part 9. This action enhances fire and life safety provisions and reinforces the use of modern codes and the Fire Permit process as key tools to reduce safety risks for both new and existing development, thereby promoting a resilient and well-protected community.
5.9.3-G1: “A safe and secure environment for people and property in the community.”
5.9.3-P1: “Encourage design techniques that promote public and property safety in new development and public spaces.”
5.9.3‐P2: “Provide police and fire services that respond to community goals for a safe and secure environment for people and property.”
5.9.3‐P7: “Encourage property maintenance and pursue appropriate code enforcement to reduce crime associated with blight.”
5.10.5‐G1: “Protection of life, the environment and property from natural catastrophes and man‐made hazards.”
5.10.5‐G4: “City codes and regulations that are consistent with applicable regional, State and federal regulations for safety.”
5.10.5-P6: “Require that new development is designed to meet current safety standards and implement appropriate building codes to reduce risks associated with geologic conditions.”
The updated Fire Code emphasizes the importance of utilizing modern codes and the fire permit process as essential tools for safeguarding life, property, and the community. It ensures that new development is designed and constructed to current safety standards, while also requiring existing facilities to maintain compliance with critical fire and life safety requirements. By aligning local regulations with the General Plan’s emphasis on minimizing risks associated with fire hazards, geological, climatic, and topographic conditions, as well as other safety concerns, the adoption of the updated code supports a safe, resilient, and sustainable built environment for residents, businesses, and visitors.
In the event local amendments are not adopted/approved by the city Council, the unmodified 2025 Fire Code shall go into effect for the City of Santa Clara as of January 1, 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15305 in that it is a minor alteration in land use limitations that will not result in any changes in land use or density, and section 15308 in that it is an action taken by a regulatory agency as authorized by California law to assure maintenance or protection of the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no additional costs to the City beyond administrative staff time and related expenses, which are already included in the current budget.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the Community Development Department, Finance Department, City Attorney’s Office, and the City Manager’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
A public notice for the public hearing to be held on October 21, 2025, will be advertised in the Santa Clara Weekly publication on October 8 and October 15, 2025.
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Waive first reading and approve the introduction of an Ordinance amending Chapter 15.60 of the Santa Clara City Code (“Santa Clara Municipal Fire and Environmental Code”) for the adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code;
2. Adopt a Resolution Making Findings of Fact Necessary for the Specific Modification to 2025 California Fire Code Reflected in the Proposed Ordinance, and
3. Set a public hearing on October 21, 2025, pursuant to the California Government Code Section 50022.3 for adoption of the Ordinance.
Staff
Reviewed by: Ruben Torres, Fire Chief
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025 CFC Amendments - Ordinance - Muni-Fire-Environmental Code
2. 2025 CFC Amendments - Resolution - Muni-Fire-Environmental Code