Lindsay council approves first reading of 2025 building code, adds wildland-urban section

The Lindsay City Council on Monday approved the first reading of an ordinance to adopt the 2025 building code for the city, moving forward code updates that include wildland-urban interface protections, new electrical readiness for residential battery storage and electric-vehicle infrastructure, and lower plumbing flow rates.

City staff member Castle, who reintroduced the item during the public hearing, said the code updates reflect the triennial statewide changes: "Every 3 years, the code for construction we usually adopt — we update the adoption by the state to meet new guidelines," Castle told the council, describing requirements such as installing conduit for future solar and battery hookups, EV-ready circuits and a reduction in plumbing flow from 0.5 to 0.4 gallons per minute.

The changes noted by staff also include slightly higher insulation R-values in some climate zones and requirements for DDC controls in new nonresidential buildings under 100 feet. Castle explained the code package also adds a wildland-urban section intended to address fire-safety concerns in at-risk areas.

The council opened and closed the public hearing with no members of the public speaking and then approved the first reading by motion; the action was recorded in the meeting as carrying 5-0. The first-reading approval advances the ordinance to a subsequent reading and formal adoption process.

Adoption of the updated code aligns Lindsay with statewide building standards that the city said will support energy efficiency, electric-vehicle readiness and fire-safety improvements. The council did not change the package in the hearing; staff will bring the ordinance back for the next required reading and any additional formal adoption steps.

The meeting record notes the update was presented as a recommendation and that the public notice and required procedures for a code adoption were observed.