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Cotati introduces ordinance to adopt 2025 California Building Standards Code
Summary
The council introduced an ordinance to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code with carry‑forward local amendments; staff noted AB 130 limits residential amendments and that local fire‑code amendments are being retained for consistency.
The Cotati City Council held the first reading of an ordinance to amend Title 14 of the Cotati Municipal Code to adopt the 2025 edition of the California Building Standards Code with local amendments, and the council introduced the ordinance on a unanimous vote.
Acting building official Eric Seabrook outlined key changes in the triennial code update, including provisions for tiny homes (modified egress rules), emergency housing provisions that streamline temporary housing after disasters, and adoption of the wildland‑urban interface provisions to improve fire resistance. Seabrook said the code “gives persons who are building the opportunity to construct with those standards, fire resistiveness, with a prescriptive match package.” He described tiny‑home egress requirements: “each bedroom needs an egress window... [and for tiny homes it] is modified to even be accessible through a skylight.”
Staff also noted recent state legislation (AB 130) that limits cities’ authority to adopt some residential amendments; the packet carries forward only previously authorized local amendments consistent with current state law. Council members asked clarifying questions about CalGreen tiers and how the city and the fire district coordinate plan checks; staff said the city and the fire district have worked to make local amendments consistent.
The council voted to introduce the ordinance; the updated regulations are slated to go into effect Jan. 1, 2026 after subsequent hearings and adoption steps.
