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Torrance adopts 2025 California Building Standards Code with local amendments
Summary
The City Council adopted an urgency ordinance and companion ordinance to incorporate the 2025 California Building Standards Code with local amendments; action is effective immediately as an urgency ordinance and enforcement is scheduled per state timelines, including operative dates in early 2026
The Torrance City Council voted unanimously to adopt the 2025 edition of the California Building Standards Code with local amendments, approving an urgency ordinance and a regular ordinance to incorporate state updates and locally tailored provisions.
Yoo Ken Kyo, Torrance building official, summarized the package and the reason for an urgency ordinance: the state’s three-year code update cycle and recent Assembly Bill 130 changes prompted staff to present both an urgency ordinance (which requires a supermajority for immediate effect) and a standard ordinance. Kyo said the 2025 code includes expanded wildland-urban-interface measures, updated seismic and structural requirements, and new energy and solar standards for commercial buildings.
Kyo told the council the city’s local amendments focus on more restrictive fire-sprinkler requirements for new commercial buildings and large residential additions, modified exiting and foundation rules, and other adjustments permitted by state law to reflect local geologic and topographic conditions. The council adopted Resolution No. 2025-55 declaring the city’s unique local conditions and approved Urgency Ordinance No. 3956 and Ordinance No. 3957 incorporating the 2025 codes with Torrance amendments.
Staff noted the urgency ordinance becomes effective immediately upon approval by the required vote, but several statewide operative or enforcement dates are determined by state law; staff said specific enforcement of some provisions will begin Jan. 1, 2026, consistent with California Health and Safety Code timelines. The council also determined the adoption was exempt from CEQA under the cited CEQA guidelines.
Council members asked questions about wildfire- and seismic-related measures and were told the amendments were crafted to address Torrance’s local conditions. The motion to adopt the resolution and ordinances carried unanimously.
