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Porterville council adopts 2025 state building and fire codes, asks state to raise container exemption
Summary
Council voted to adopt the 2025 California building and fire codes and directed staff to send a letter asking the California Building Standards Commission to consider increasing the storage-container exemption from 120 to 210 square feet; staff said the codes take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Porterville’s City Council on Nov. 20 approved the city’s adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards and the 2025 California Fire Code and instructed staff to seek a state amendment on intermodal shipping-container exemptions.
Director Sanchez told the council the 2025 codes include updates on energy efficiency, life-safety standards, wildfire and WUI provisions and seismic resiliency. He said the new code chapter on intermodal shipping containers clarifies when a container is treated as a building and noted a state exemption for containers of 120 square feet or less and a 180-day limit for temporary use.
The public hearing drew developer support. Brian Ennis, speaking for the Building Industry Association of Tulare and Kings County, said the association “is in favor of the adoption” and offered to work with staff on implementation.
Council members raised one focused request: whether Porterville could seek a higher exemption for storage-oriented containers. Council member Beltran asked whether builders would get a grace period to submit plans under the new standard; Ennis and staff said jurisdictions commonly provide short grace periods to reduce plan-check backlogs. Council members and staff agreed the city could adopt the statewide codes and separately pursue an amendment.
Mayor Meister moved to adopt staff recommendations and to request the California Building Standards Commission consider an amendment to extend the exemption threshold for storage containers to 210 square feet; the motion was seconded and approved by the council.
The council also gave final approval to the 2025 California Fire Code by second reading later in the meeting. City Attorney read Ordinance No. 19-20 into the record and the council passed the ordinance 5-0.
What happens next: the 2025 codes are state law effective Jan. 1, 2026; local staff said they will work with builders during the transition and proceed with the letter to the California Building Standards Commission asking its review of the square-footage limit for storage containers.
