Laguna Beach council advances building-code update tied to state ‘Zone 0’ wildfire rules

Mayor and council moved the first reading of a broader 2025 building-code update that staff says will align Laguna Beach with new California standards and begin to incorporate the so-called Zone 0 requirements for ember-resistant defensible space. Gabriel (deputy director of community development) told the council that Zone 0 resulted from state legislation and will require no combustible materials within five feet of structures in areas mapped as very high fire hazard severity zones: "Zone 0 was actually a California assembly bill 30 74," he said, and explained the schedule for state rulemaking and local implementation.

Staff said the statewide 2025 building codes go into effect Jan. 1, 2026, and will apply immediately to new construction and major remodels; existing homes will be subject to a phased compliance timeline that staff said is under development at the state level. Gabriel told the council that local amendments will be adopted with the 2025 code and that major remodels would be required to comply with the updated rules. He emphasized that local implementation details — including the three-year phase for existing homes — will be subject to further council discussion and coordination with the fire department.

Council members pressed staff for practical guidance on deadlines and grandfathering. Gabriel confirmed that projects that submit their first plan check prior to Jan. 1, 2026, will generally be allowed to continue under the 2022 code, while new applications after that date are subject to the 2025 requirements and the updated local amendments. Council members asked staff to prepare outreach to applicants who are working on plan sets and to clarify the difference between the state effective date and the council’s local-adoption date (local amendments may follow 30 days after the second reading).

Council also asked about historic buildings and alternate means-and-methods for preservation. Gabriel said the code will allow an alternate means process and reference the historic building code to accommodate preservation while protecting fire and life safety. The council did not make final adoption tonight; following the first reading and related public discussion, the item will return for a second reading and public hearing as required by law. The city manager and planning staff will provide a timeline and outreach plan to help property owners understand the transition to the 2025 codes and Zone 0 implementation.