Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Building Codes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board adopts ordinance to update local code to 2025 California building standards; energy rules emphasize electrification readiness
Summary
Solano County introduced and adopted an ordinance updating county code to adopt the 2025 California building standards (Title 24) with local amendments. Staff highlighted energy-code changes that encourage electrification, heat-pump water heaters, solar and battery-readiness for commercial sites and WUI reorganization.
The Solano County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Oct. 28 to adopt an ordinance updating County Code chapter 6.3 to incorporate the 2025 California building standards (Title 24) and a set of local amendments.
Zaid Irovani, the county—s chief building official, told the board that the state publishes new building codes every three years. The 2025 edition, based on the 2024 International Building Code, takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, and jurisdictions must adopt local ordinances to apply the codes.
Staff highlighted several notable changes in the 2025 code cycle:
- Energy and electrification: the code increases requirements for electric readiness and encourages heat‑pump technologies, including provisions extending heat‑pump water‑heater requirements to single‑family and multifamily dwellings and new preparation for commercial kitchens where practical.
- Solar and battery storage: solar requirements expand for certain commercial building types (hotels, offices, restaurants) and guidance for battery backup is clarified.
- Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI): the code reorganizes Part 7 to consolidate building, public‑safety and natural‑resources rule sets related to fire hazards and clarifies standards for exterior assembly in high‑risk areas.
Irovani told the board that permits submitted before Dec. 31, 2025, or already issued under the 2022 codes will continue to be processed under the earlier code cycle; newly permitted work after Jan. 1, 2026, must comply with 2025 standards.
The board approved introduction and waiving further reading and then adopted the ordinance by roll call vote 5‑0.
Ending: Staff will publish the local amendment package, begin training for building‑plan reviewers on the 2025 code changes, and work with cities and industry stakeholders on implementation timelines.
