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Newark to consider local amendments as California's 2025 building standards take effect
Summary
The council introduced an ordinance to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24) with locally tailored modifications and set an October 23 public hearing; the city's chief building official highlighted EV‑charging and energy changes as major shifts.
The City Council introduced an ordinance on Sept. 23 to repeal and replace sections of Newark’s municipal code and adopt with modifications the 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24). Chief Building Official Matthew Farrell summarized the triennial adoption process and told the council that state law limits how much local jurisdictions can deviate from the state code. The council set a public hearing for Oct. 23 to consider final adoption.
Why it matters: the state’s 2025 code will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026, for new permits; local amendments must be justified by findings showing unique climatic, geographic or topographic conditions. Farrell said adopting the state code with appropriate local modifications will keep Newark’s permitting and enforcement aligned with statewide standards while addressing local needs.
What staff told the council: Farrell said the California Building Standards Code is the adopted set of model regulations (Title 24) updated every three years and that the Building Standards Commission adopted the 2025 code on Jan. 1, 2025. He noted staff can carry forward prior local findings where state code or state legislation does not preclude those modifications. Farrell highlighted a notable change in the new code cycle: an approximate 40% increase in EV‑charging requirements for commercial developments, a push to expand EV infrastructure in shopping centers and other large parking areas. He also described how energy code changes make electrification and efficiency standards more restrictive for new construction and called out ongoing discussions about retrofit and natural‑gas limitations.
Council discussion: members asked which code changes most affect Newark. Farrell pointed to the EV standards and energy provisions that can increase upfront building costs while producing longer‑term efficiency gains. Councilmember Grundahl asked about restrictions on natural‑gas heating for new construction and retrofits; Farrell said model energy provisions push toward electric heating for primary systems but that prescriptive versus performance pathways and state legislation such as AB 130 influence what can be required for existing buildings.
Next steps: staff will return with a formal staff report and findings for the Oct. 23 public hearing and recommended ordinance. The council approved introduction to set the hearing date.
