Folsom council introduces update to local code to adopt 2025 state building rules and wildfire provisions

FOLSOM — The City Council on Oct. 28 conducted the introduction and first reading of Ordinance 13‑58, a package of code updates that would adopt the 2025 Title 24 California Code of Regulations and add local wildfire‑prevention language to the municipal code.

Allison Lisonbee Konwinski, Folsom’s chief building official, told the council the state updates arrive every three years and jurisdictions must adopt Title 24 to maintain building‑permit enforcement. The ordinance would add section 9.37.0.035 on wildfire prevention, re‑locate certain Wildland‑Urban Interface provisions previously in the fire code, and adopt Appendix D of the California Fire Code to clarify requirements such as road widths, dead ends and access near taller buildings.

Konwinski said the changes reflect statewide model codes (the International Building Code and the 2025 California building code) and are limited to amendments based on climatic, geological or topographical findings; she noted the ordinance includes several staff corrections described in a revised transmittal to council.

During debate Councilmember Raffel and others voiced concern about the cumulative effect of state code cycles on housing costs. "Every three years we make it harder and harder to build housing in this state," Raffel said, urging broader state action on affordability. Councilmember Kozlowski said he supported the concept but would vote no on the introduction in protest of state processes; other councilmembers said the city has limited discretion on mandatory state adoptions.

The council voted to introduce the ordinance on first reading; Kozlowski recorded the lone no vote. Konwinski said the second reading is scheduled for Nov. 12 and the local amendments would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026 if adopted on final reading.

The ordinance, as introduced, preserves the fire chief’s authority to identify and restrict access to natural spaces that pose higher wildfire risk and aligns local standards with current technologies and statewide best practices. The council did not make substantive changes to the introduction package during the first reading; staff will return for final adoption and any technical edits at the Nov. 12 meeting.