Title
1) Introduce for First Reading an Ordinance to Amend Articles 1, 3 through 9 and 10A of Title 7 (“Maps, Buildings and Subdivisions”) Chapter 7-5 (“Building Code”) of the Municipal Code in Order to Adopt by Reference the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code and 2018 International Property Maintenance Code, With Local Amendments; and 2) Adopt a Resolution to Find and Determine the Need for Amendments to Provisions in the State-Mandated California Building Standards Code to be Adopted by Reference in the San Leandro Municipal Code
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Quality of Life
SUMMARY
Every three years, the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) establishes a statewide Building Standards Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24) for use by local jurisdictions throughout California. The Building Standards Codes are codified as San Leandro Municipal Code Chapter 7-5 and subsequent revisions become effective by default and without local approval or amendments. The 2025 California Building Standards Code goes into effect on January 1, 2026. Cities and counties may adopt local amendments to strengthen the California Building Standards Code based on local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommend that the City Council consider and introduce for first reading an ordinance to:
a) Amend Municipal Code Chapter 7-5 by repealing and replacing the 2022 editions and adopting the 2025 editions of the California Building Code, Residential Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Energy Code, Fire Code, Existing Building Code, and Green Building Standards Code.
b) Additionally, adopt by reference the International Property Maintenance Code; and
c) Adopt local amendments regarding certain structural design requirements, fire sprinkler regulations, and other building requirements to advance the health, welfare, and safety of the community.
Staff also recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution finding and determining the need for amendments to provisions in the State-mandated California Building Standards Code to be adopted by reference in the San Leandro Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND
The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) is an independent commission within the State Consumer Services Agency responsible for reviewing, adopting, and publishing building standards for the State of California. Every three years, the CBSC adopts a compilation of building regulations referred to as the California Building Standards Code - California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24. On July 1, 2025, the CBSC published the 2025 edition of the California Building Standards Code, which will apply to any project that applies for building permits on or after January 1, 2026.
Local jurisdictions can amend the State-adopted building standards to make them more restrictive (but not less), based on specific geologic, climatic, and topographic conditions to protect public health, welfare, and safety.
Analysis
The proposed Ordinance includes adoption of the following building codes by reference:
• California Building Code - CCR Title 24 Part 2
• California Residential Code - CCR Title 24 Part 3
• California Electrical Code - CCR Title 24 Part 4
• California Mechanical Code - CCR Title 24 Part 5
• California Plumbing Code - CCR Title 24 Part 6
• California Energy Code - CCR Title 24 Part 7
• California Fire Code - CCR Title 24 Part 9
• California Existing Building Code - CCR Title 24 Part 10
• California Green Building Standards Code - CCR Title 24 Part 11
The Property Maintenance Code is separate from the California Building Code adopted by the CBSC. The City currently has adopted the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC). As part of the proposed ordinance, the City would re-adopt the 2018 IPMC. This model code provides the City authority to abate structures that are imminent hazards to the public in a quick and efficient manner. The model code includes definitions of terms for enforcement, the integrity of structural elements of buildings, and specific hazards. These definitions are not included in the other standard codes.
Approving the ordinance will ensure the consistency of the City of San Leandro’s Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Historical Building, and Existing Building Codes with state standards and ensure that the City’s codes provide additional protection for the health, welfare, and safety of local residents due to local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions.
Environmental Review
The proposed action is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in that it is not a Project that has the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment under Title 14 of the CCR, Section 15061(b)(3). No further environmental review is necessary.
Public Notice and Outreach
Because the California Building Standards Code will be adopted by reference, a public hearing must be held following introduction of the Ordinance, which will be held concurrently with the second reading. In accordance with Government Code Sections 50022.3 and 6066, notice of the public hearing has been published twice in a newspaper of general circulation, by a legal ad in the Daily Review on November 7 and November 14, 2025.
Legal Analysis
The City Attorney’s Office reviewed the Building Codes to be adopted tonight and prepared the related ordinances.
Financial Impacts
This Council action will not impact fund balance because there are funds available in the FY2025-2026 and FY2026-2027 adopted budget to adopt and implement the updated Building Codes.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A Ordinance Amending Articles 1, 3 through 9 and 10A of Title 7 (“Maps, Buildings And Subdivisions”) Chapter 7-5 (“Building Code”) of the San Leandro Municipal Code in Order to Adopt by Reference the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code and 2018 International Property Maintenance Code, With Local Amendments
(The ordinance publishes the revised sections of San Leandro Municipal Code Chapter 7-5, as follows per Attachment A, Exhibits 1-9, below.
A, Exh 1. Article 1, Building Code, which adopts the California Building Code with the local amendments described below;
A, Exh 2. Article 3, Property Maintenance Code, which adopts the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) with no local amendments;
A, Exh 3.Article 4, Mechanical Code, with no local amendments;
A, Exh 4. Article 5, Electrical Code, with no local amendments;
A, Exh 5. Article 6, Green Building Code.
A, Exh 6. Article 7, Energy Code, with no local amendments;
A, Exh 7. Article 8, Fire Code, with local amendments described below;
A, Exh 8, Article 9, Plumbing Code, with local amendments described below; and
A, Exh 9, Article 10A, Residential Building Code, with no local amendments.
Attachment B - Resolution Finding and Determining Need for Amendments to State-Mandated Building Standards Codes
B, Exh 1, Findings and Determination that Changes or Modifications to the 2025 California Building Code are Reasonably Necessary
Attachment C - Presentation: 2025 Building Code Adoption
PREPARED BY: Michael Jeffery, Chief Building Official, Building Division, Community Development.