Arroyo Grande introduces 2025 California Building Standards Code, including new WUI provisions

The Arroyo Grande City Council on Oct. 28 unanimously introduced an ordinance to amend municipal code Titles 8 and 15 and adopt by reference the 2025 California Building Standards Code, commonly known as Title 24. The council set a public hearing for Nov. 25 on the proposed ordinance.

Community Development Director Brian Pedrati briefed the council on the triannual state code update and highlighted a new part addressing the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). “The state mandates that building and construction codes are updated every 3 years,” Pedrati said, noting that the 2025 code includes a new WUI chapter intended to reduce structure ignition from embers and flames by specifying ignition-resistant exterior materials, ember-resistant openings, and fire-resistant roofs.

Pedrati told the council the city has no very-high severity WUI zone within its boundaries but does have high-severity areas to the north and east. Staff recommended adopting the state code with local amendments where permitted, and noted that AB 130, signed in June 2025, limits local jurisdictions’ ability to make local amendments affecting residential building standards for the next six years; the bill still permits home-hardening measures related to fire safety.

Council members asked clarifying questions about local amendments the city currently maintains, including a local amendment that requires a hammerhead turnaround for driveways longer than 200 feet. Pedrati said that 200-foot driveway requirement is a local amendment and that the city’s fire chief and building official were available to answer detailed technical questions.

The council voted to introduce the ordinance, set the Nov. 25 public hearing, and found the action exempt from CEQA. No adoption occurred on Oct. 28; the formal adoption vote will occur after the public hearing and any additional analysis the council requests.