To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation and Development
Report Title: 2025 California Building Code Adoption
?Recommendation of the County Administrator ? Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
CONSIDER accepting a report on adoption of the 2025 California Building Code, as presented to the Sustainability Committee and provide direction to staff.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
BACKGROUND:
Triennial Building Code Cycle and Adoption of the 2025 California Building Code
Since 2007, the State of California has adopted a new statewide building code every three years, known as the California Building Standards Code (CBSC). The California Building Standards Commission has now adopted and released the 2025 CBSC, replacing the 2022 CBSC. The 2025 CBSC includes the California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Wildland-Urban Interface, Historical Building, Existing Building and Green Building Standards Codes. These statewide codes will become effective January 1, 2026. The Department of Conservation and Development is responsible for enforcing the CBSC within the unincorporated area of Contra Costa County.
Local agencies are not required to adopt the California Building Code, but must do so by adopting an ordinance if they propose to amend the statewide code (if not amended, the statewide code becomes effective without any action required by the local jurisdiction). Cities and counties have the authority to adopt amendments to the statewide code if such amendments are more restrictive than statewide code requirements and amendments must be accompanied by findings that the changes and modifications to the statewide code are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, topographical, geological or environmental conditions. Local amendments to the California Energy Code must also be approved by the California Energy Commission and must be accompanied by a finding that such amendments are cost effective.
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