Council introduces ordinance to adopt 2025 California building codes and HUD permanent foundation guide; sets public hearing

The council heard a staff presentation from Building Official David Fredborg on the city’s proposed adoption of the 2025 editions of California’s building codes and related reference standards. Fredborg asked the council to adopt the HUD permanent foundation guide for manufactured housing as a local reference standard to address manufactured and modular units that come under local jurisdiction.

Why it matters: California updates its model building codes every three years. Local adoption of the 2025 code updates and an official local reference for manufactured-housing foundations will alter plan-check and inspection standards the city enforces and will clarify local requirements for accessory dwelling units and manufactured homes.

What staff said: Fredborg said the review found mainly minor clarifying language changes, and that the HUD permanent-foundation guide would supply a reference standard where local officials need criteria for manufactured homes placed on private property. He noted a typographical correction he would make before second reading (a sentence that should read "no greater than 48 inches" will be corrected). Fredborg advised that the public hearing and second reading will occur at the next meeting.

Council action: The council introduced ordinance number 415 by title only and set a public hearing and second reading for 2025-08-18. The introduction motion passed on the recorded voice vote at the meeting; the transcript records the motion introduction, a second, and an affirmative vote.

Next steps: Staff will correct the noted typographical error, publish the ordinance language for public review, and present the item at the scheduled public hearing and second reading so the council may adopt the local code amendments if it chooses.