REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Action to Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2079 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.
Report
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 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. At the October 7, 2025 Council meeting, proposed Ordinance No. 2079 was passed for the purpose of publication, along with adoption of a Resolution making the necessary findings of fact to support the modifications to the City’s local modifications to the 2025 California Fire Code.
Notice of this Public Hearing along with a summary of the Ordinance were published in the Santa Clara Weekly on October 8, 2025 and October 15, 2025, and copies were posted in three public places.
DISCUSSION
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.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines 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. Furthermore, the action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Lastly, the action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in 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 notice of public hearing containing a summary of proposed Ordinance No. 2079 was published in the Santa Clara Weekly on October 8, 2025 and October 15, 2025, and copies were posted in three public places and made available for public inspection at the City Clerk’s Office.
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
Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2079 amending Chapter 15.60 of the Santa Clara City Code (“Santa Clara Municipal Fire and Environmental Code”) to adopt the 2025 California Fire Code with local amendments in accordance with the findings set forth in Resolution No. 25-9493 adopted by City Council on October 7, 2025).
Staff
Reviewed by: Ruben Torres, Fire Chief
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance No. 2079 (Intro)