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Council introduces ordinance to adopt 2025 California Building Standards and sets public hearing for Nov. 12
Summary
The council introduced and waived further reading of an ordinance to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code (and related local amendments), set a public hearing for Nov. 12, 2025, and noted key local amendments including Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) measures and EV infrastructure requirements.
The Agoura Hills City Council voted unanimously to introduce and waive further reading of Ordinance No. 25-480, which would adopt the 2025 edition of the California Building Standards Code and make local amendments. The council set a public hearing on the ordinance for Nov. 12, 2025.
City building official Lucas Quach summarized the state-mandated adoption cycle and new statewide provisions, telling the council, "Local jurisdictions are required to adopt this edition of the state code for local enforcement by 01/01/2026." He also explained limits created by Assembly Bill 130, a recent state law that places a six-year moratorium on many new local residential amendments but allows exceptions for health-and-safety measures, home-hardening, energy efficiency aligned with an approved general plan, and local amendments that were effective before Sept. 30, 2025.
Notable local amendments described in staff materials include continued application of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) standards citywide (transferring ignition-resistant construction provisions into the WUI code), mandatory CalGreen Tier 1 measures for nonresidential projects, updated administrative and permit procedures, a grading permit exemption threshold (less than 50 cubic yards under specified conditions), and expanded EV-charging provisions aligning with state code (for example, at least one EV receptacle per multifamily dwelling unit and a larger fraction of common-use parking equipped for EV charging).
Council questions focused on the scope and impacts of the WUI expansion and existing local requirements such as automatic gas shutoff valves. Council members were told most proposed local amendments are carry-overs from the previous cycle and therefore permissible under AB 130’s exceptions. Staff said adoption of the ordinance would be followed by public outreach, updates to online permitting systems, and guidance materials for contractors and homeowners.
Action taken: City councilman Chris Anstead moved to introduce and waive full reading of Ordinance 25-480 and set the public hearing for Nov. 12, 2025; Council member Anderson seconded. The ordinance introduction passed on a roll-call vote of 4–0.
Next steps: Staff will publish the ordinance materials and hold the public hearing on Nov. 12, 2025. If adopted after the hearing, the new code and local amendments would take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and staff will begin updating permitting processes and public guidance.
