SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: September 8, 2025
Subject: Adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code
Submitted For: John Kopchik || Director | DCD
Department: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT
Presenter: Jason Crapo || Deputy Director | DCD
Contact: Jason Crapo | (925) 655-2800
Referral History:
This subject was referred to the Sustainability Committee by the Board of Supervisors on August 4, 2025.
Referral Update:
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 jurisdictions such as the County have the authority to adopt amendments to the statewide code under conditions specified in State law. Such amendments must be more restrictive than statewide code requirements and 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.
Contra Costa County has a history of adopting a limited number of amendments to the CBSC in past code cycles. Some of the County's local amendments were established decades ...
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