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Council introduces 2025 California Fire Code ordinance; public hearing set for Nov. 3
Summary
San Rafael council introduced an ordinance to adopt the 2025 California Fire Code (including Wildland-Urban Interface provisions) with existing local amendments and set a public hearing for Nov. 3; council cited need to adopt by Dec. 1 if local amendments are desired.
The San Rafael City Council on Oct. 20 introduced an ordinance to adopt the 2025 California Fire Code, including the new California Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code, and set a public hearing for Nov. 3. The council voted 5-0 to introduce the ordinance, waive further reading and set the hearing.
Fire Chief Senate (presenting) told the council the California Fire Marshal had updated the state code cycle and cities may adopt the model codes and apply uniform local amendments. The staff report said the 2025 code becomes law statewide on Jan. 1, 2026; to retain local amendments the city must act 30 days before that date. The staff recommendation was to adopt the codes by reference with the city’s existing local amendments, consistent with other Marin jurisdictions, to maintain consistency for property owners, contractors and developers.
Councilmember Kurtz asked whether the WUI content was new. The chief clarified that the WUI content was not substantively new but reorganized into a single code book.
Next steps The council set a Nov. 3 public hearing for final adoption. If adopted after the hearing, the ordinance must be filed within the statutory timeline for local code amendments to remain effective on Jan. 1, 2026.
