Sonoma council introduces ordinance to adopt 2025 California building code, schedules Dec. 3 hearing

The Sonoma City Council on Nov. 19 introduced an ordinance to repeal and reenact chapter 14.1 of the Sonoma Municipal Code and adopt parts 1–12 of the 2025 California Building Standards Code with local amendments, and set a public hearing for Dec. 3. Mayor Ferrer Rivas moved the introduction after a staff presentation and a round of council questions; a roll‑call vote recorded unanimous approval for introduction.

Jennifer Gates, the city’s community development director, told the council the triennial statewide code update consolidates a new Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) chapter and carries forward many local amendments while identifying a small number of genuinely new items in brackets in the staff exhibit. Gates said the update includes updated accessibility provisions, expanded EV‑ready infrastructure requirements for new development and clarifying administrative edits to the fire and plumbing codes. She also noted the state’s AB 130-related restrictions that limit local governments from adopting certain new residential reach codes without specific findings.

Gates said the building official recommended adding an earthquake‑actuated gas shutoff valve requirement for any new nonresidential construction and for nonresidential additions or modifications to gas lines. "The building official thought this was important to add in this round," Gates said, adding staff would provide additional cost information at the Dec. 3 hearing.

Council members asked whether previously adopted local amendments had been carried forward, what kinds of local conditions justified deviations from the state model, and whether cost‑impact analyses would be required for any local 'reach' provisions. Vice Mayor Wallander noted the update folded prior local amendments into the new code. Gates and Fire Marshal Trevor Smith explained that many items are administrative or reflect past local practice; reach codes that would impose higher standards (for example, mandatory all‑electric construction) require a specific cost‑effectiveness analysis and separate findings.

Tom Collin, a member of the Climate Action Commission, urged the council to consider fence materials near buildings and flagged a typo in the packet about effective dates; Julian Mackey, speaking from experience moderating building‑code conversations, asked the council to weigh whether local customizations raise construction costs and frustrate housing production.

Mayor Ferrer Rivas moved the ordinance’s introduction as read and set Dec. 3 for the formal public hearing and possible adoption; the motion passed by roll call with Council member Lowe, Council member Gurney, Vice Mayor Wallander, Council member Dean and the mayor voting yes.

Next steps: the ordinance will return to the council on Dec. 3 for the noticed public hearing; staff indicated they will provide cost and technical clarifications, including more detail on the proposed earthquake gas‑shutoff valve and any specific local amendments described as "new" in exhibit B.