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Long Beach advances triennial building-code update, council adopts 2025 editions and related CEQA findings
Summary
Council received and advanced an ordinance adopting the 2025 California Building Standards Code (and other referenced codes), approved a resolution on local amendments and found the action categorically exempt under CEQA; staff said amendments are largely administrative and in compliance with AB 130.
Long Beach — The City Council voted Tuesday to advance a triannual update of the city’s building and housing code, adopting the 2025 editions of the California Building Standards Code and related provisions and making required CEQA findings.
Community Development staff explained the city is required to adopt the state’s 2025 codes before January 1, 2026. The staff presentation said the local ordinance would restate Title 18 of the municipal code and adopt limited local amendments; staff emphasized that Assembly Bill 130 restricts new amendments that would affect residential construction, so the proposed changes are largely administrative: updated references, clarifying timelines for plan review and temporary certificates of occupancy, a newly created chapter for the California Wildland‑Urban Interface Code and procedural clarifications for low impact development stormwater rules and permitting timelines.
Staff also presented recommended CEQA findings and said the actions are categorically exempt. The council voted through the three required motions on the ordinance, the resolution adopting the express findings and the CEQA exemption (motions carried). Staff said the updated municipal code and referenced state codes will take effect January 1, 2026 and will apply to permit applications submitted on or after that date.
Why it matters: Municipal adoption of state building codes is a routine but necessary legal and regulatory step; the update ensures Long Beach’s rules reference the latest state technical standards and preserves a limited set of local amendments where legally allowable.
