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Murrieta council adopts 2025 California building and fire codes, including new WUI rules
Summary
On Nov. 18 the Murrieta City Council unanimously adopted the 2025 California Building Standards Code and the 2025 California Fire Code including the new Wildland‑Urban Interface code; staff said local amendments are limited and general adoption is required by state law effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Murrieta City Council on Nov. 18 unanimously approved two ordinances on second reading: adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code and adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code together with the newly established 2025 California Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) Code. Staff emphasized that the state code becomes effective Jan. 1, 2026 and that local jurisdictions may adopt limited, justified amendments.
Fire Marshal Doug Stroessnyder and Fire Chief Bernie Malloy explained the WUI code will apply to properties located in state‑determined high and very‑high fire severity zones, mapped and adopted by council earlier (effective 07/04/2025). Malloy and staff described amendments clarifying code language, updating requirements for outdoor fireplaces and amplification requirements for new county radio standards (PSAP / signal enhancement in large facilities).
Council asked technical questions about whether increased fire‑flow requirements (an additional 500 gallons per minute referenced in earlier discussions) apply to single‑family lots or only to large subdivision projects; the fire staff clarified the higher fire‑flow threshold applies to larger subdivision projects, not individual single‑family lots.
There was no public testimony on either item. Both ordinances passed on second reading with unanimous 4‑0 votes.
What was decided: Council adopted ordinance No. 625‑25 (2025 Building Standards Code) and ordinance No. 627‑25 (2025 Fire Code and WUI code) on second reading. Staff said that, where the city desires a local amendment it must make findings that the amendment is reasonably necessary due to local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions; Assembly Bill 130 also places a six‑year moratorium on certain residential local amendments to parts of the code.
Next steps: The new statewide codes become effective Jan. 1, 2026; staff will proceed to integrate any locally approved amendments and coordinate with Murrieta Fire and Rescue on WUI implementation, including mapping and project‑level requirements.
Vote record: Motion and second recorded; motions carried unanimously (4 yes, 0 no) on both second‑reading ordinances.
