REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Action on Adoption of a Resolution Establishing the Necessary Findings of Fact for Modifications to the California Energy Code and California Green Building Standards Code; Action to Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2081 amending Chapter 15.05 ("Administrative Code"), Chapter 15.15 ("Building Code"), Chapter 15.17 ("Residential Code"), Chapter 15.18 ("Property Maintenance Code"), Chapter 15.20 ("Electrical Code"), Chapter 15.30 ("Mechanical Code"), Chapter 15.35 ("Plumbing Code"), Chapter 15.36 ("Energy Code"), Chapter 15.37 ("Historical Building Code"), Chapter 15.38 ("Green Building Code"), and Chapter 15.75 ("Existing Building Code") of Title 15 ("Buildings and Construction") of "The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California" for the adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code.
Report
BACKGROUND
At the October 21, 2025 Council meeting, proposed Ordinance No. 2081 was passed for the purpose of publication. Pursuant to City Charter Sections 808 and 812 and Government Code Section 50022.3, a summary of proposed Ordinance No. 2081 was published in the Santa Clara Weekly on October 22, 2025 and October 29, 2025, and copies were posted in three public places.
DISCUSSION
Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, also referred to as the California Building Standards Code, governs the design and construction of buildings, facilities and associated equipment throughout California. The California Building Standards Commission updates the Building Standards Code on a triennial basis to improve safety, sustainability, and resiliency, and to incorporate new technology, design, and construction methods. The 2025 California Building Standards Code will become effective statewide on January 1, 2026.
After each triennial update, local jurisdictions must then adopt the California Building Standards Code to act as the governing Building Standards Code within their jurisdiction. The local adoptio...
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