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Cotati council introduces ordinance adopting 2025 California Building Standards Code with local amendments
Summary
Council held the first reading of an ordinance to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 14) with previously adopted local amendments and fire district provisions. Staff noted AB 130 limits on local amendments to residential code sections; the ordinance advances to a second reading.
The Cotati City Council conducted the first reading on Oct. 28 of an ordinance to amend Title 14 of the Cotati Municipal Code to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code and carry forward local amendments.
Eric Seabrook, the city’s contract building official, explained cities are required to adopt the triennial state code and reviewed notable provisions being carried forward: tiny homes provisions (including modified egress definitions), emergency housing procedures to expedite post‑disaster shelter, adoption of the Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) provisions and alignment with the State’s CalGreen energy and green building standards. Seabrook said the code update "is published by the International Code Conference" and that California then amends the base codes for state needs; he noted the cycle "mandates" adoption every three years.
Staff emphasized limitations established by recent state legislation, AB 130, which restricts local governments' ability to make certain local amendments to residential construction provisions. Noah (staff) said the amendments included in the proposed ordinance are ones previously authorized and allowable under AB 130. The city also carried forward local fire code amendments negotiated with the Rancho Adobe Fire District to maintain consistent plan‑check and enforcement standards across jurisdictions.
Council opened and closed the public hearing with no substantive opposition and voted to introduce the ordinance in a single motion. The ordinance will return for a subsequent reading and final adoption.
