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 ("Buildings and Construction") of "The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California" for the Adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code, Including Updates to the City's "Reach Code"; and Setting October 21, 2025 for a Public Hearing on Adoption of such Ordinance
Report
BACKGROUND
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 City of Santa Clara adopted the current 2022 Building Standards Code, with modifications including "Reach Code" provisions, in November of 2022, and those standards have been in effect since January 1, 2023.
Every three years, the local adoption process provides an opportunity for each jurisdiction to make modifications to the Building Standards Code to align with local concerns, by making findings that local climatic, geographical, or topographical conditions justify making the modifications. Local modifications are commonly made to address local context and concerns that may not be applicable statewide. This ordinance is the typical process to adopt the new 2025 California Building Standards Code with local amendments as noted below, and will be effective January 1, 2026.
In Santa Clara, the local modifications will allow the City to continue implementing the Santa Clara "Reach Code," which makes local amendments to the California Energy Code and California Green Building Standards Code to support sustainability g...
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