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Madera council moves to adopt 2025 California building codes, sets effective local implementation procedures
Summary
The Madera City Council voted to introduce an ordinance adopting the 2025 California Building Standards (Title 24), with staff noting the statewide editions take effect Jan. 1, 2026 and appendices for emergency housing will be available if needed. The motion passed by roll call (six yes, one absent).
The Madera City Council on Oct. 15 voted to introduce an ordinance adopting the 2025 editions of the California Building Standards (Title 24), in a procedural decision staff said is needed to enforce the updated statewide codes locally.
Rafael Magallan, the city’s chief building official, told the council the 2025 editions were published July 20, 2025 and that local jurisdictions have 180 days to act. "Once the ordinance is adopted, the following ... Title 24 California building standard codes go into effect on 01/01/2026," Magallan said, noting the city is not proposing local amendments but will adopt two appendices (CJ and Q) that would apply only to emergency housing.
The presentation explained a state moratorium (assembly bills AB 130 and AB 131) limits residential code amendments for up to six years to address housing affordability; Magallan said that authority means the city can adopt the codes while deferring full residential implementation as needed. He recommended waiving full reading and introducing the ordinance at the meeting.
After the presentation the council moved and conducted a roll-call vote. The motion passed with six yea votes and one council member absent. The staff report and Magallan’s presentation note Title 24’s scope (building, residential, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, energy, wildland‑urban interface, historical, fire and related reference standards).
The ordinance introduction does not itself change local requirements beyond adopting the state code by reference; Magallan said local amendments remain an option later if the council chooses to exercise statutory authority. The council did not receive public comment on the item and closed the hearing after the vote.
The ordinance, if adopted in a future meeting following required steps, will make the 2025 code provisions enforceable by Madera’s building department beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and will allow use of the identified appendices in emergency housing situations.
