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<br />BACKGROUND
<br />Building codes are updated every three years by the various model code-making
<br />organizations, such as the International Code Council (ICC), the International Association of
<br />Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), and the National Fire Protection Association
<br />(NFPA). The State of California modifies and adopts these updated codes in the California
<br />Code of Regulations, Title 24. Title 24, also known as the California Building Standards Code
<br />(CBSC), is a broad set of requirements for “energy conservation, green design, construction
<br />and maintenance, fire and life safety, and accessibility” that apply to the “structural,
<br />mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems” in a building.
<br />
<br />All jurisdictions in the state are required to adopt the CBSC for local enforcement within 180
<br />days after Title 24 is published, with an effective date of January 1, 2026, for this 2025 edition.
<br />In adopting Title 24 for local enforcement, jurisdictions may amend building standards if such
<br />amendments are necessary to address local geologic, topographic, climatic, or environmental
<br />conditions. When the State last adopted the revised California Building Standards Code, the
<br />City adopted by reference those revised codes along with local amendments in 2022 by
<br />Ordinance No. 2241. No additional local amendments are proposed for inclusion in this current
<br />update.
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<br />DISCUSSION
<br />Overview
<br />This proposed ordinance adopts the State’s new California Building Standards Codes and
<br />carries forward the City’s current local amendments relating to local conditions included in
<br />Exhibit B, based upon the specific findings set forth in Exhibit A of the Ordinance.
<br />
<br />The Pleasanton Building and Construction Code consists of 16 distinct Chapters of the
<br />Pleasanton Municipal Code (PMC) Title 20. Specifically, the proposed ordinance would amend
<br />Chapters 20.04 (Pleasanton Building Administrative Code), Chapter 20.06 (Existing Building
<br />Code), 20.08 (Building Code), 20.10 (Residential Code), 20.12 (Plumbing Code), 20.16
<br />(Mechanical Code), 20.20 (Electrical Code), 20.22 (Wildland-Urban Interface Code), 20.24
<br />(Fire Code), 20.26 (Green Building Code), 20.36 (Security Regulations), 20.55 (Swimming
<br />Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code) and 20.65 (Property Maintenance Code) of the PMC, adopting
<br />by reference and amending the 2024 Editions of the International Building, Existing Building,
<br />Residential, Fire, Property Maintenance, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes; the 2023 Edition
<br />of the National Electrical Code and the 2025 CALGreen Code. The remaining Chapters of
<br />PMC Title 20 do not reference specific editions of these codes and are not amended at this
<br />time.
<br />
<br />Local Amendments:
<br />Local amendments typically address localized geographic, seismic, topographic, and climatic
<br />conditions that warrant special or more protective building standards.
<br />
<br />As noted, 2025’s Assembly Bill 130 does not allow new local amendments to be adopted as
<br />part of building codes for the next six years, through 2031. However, it allows existing code
<br />amendments to move forward as long as they are “substantially equivalent” to previously
<br />adopted amendments. While the City proposes no new local amendments, existing local
<br />amendments, and minor revisions to clarify and better align with the new building codes are
<br />outlined below.
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