Murrieta council advances 2025 building, fire and wildland urban interface codes to public hearing

The Murrieta City Council on Nov. 4 conducted first readings and introduced ordinances to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards, the 2025 California Fire Code and the 2025 Wildland Urban Interface Code, and scheduled public hearings for the second readings on Nov. 18, 2025. The motions passed unanimously, 5-0.

City building official Andy Crowe and fire staff described the statewide three-year code update that takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. Crowe said the 2025 cycle updates Title 24 and increases baseline electrification and electric-vehicle charger requirements across new construction; the new Wildland Urban Interface code replaces a prior Chapter 7A wildfire-exposure chapter. "The California building standards commission updates and adopts new building codes every three years," Crowe said, noting local amendments are permitted only when justified by local topography, geology or climate.

Fire Marshal Stroh Snyder and staff presented local amendments the city recommends for the 2025 California Fire Code and the Wildland Urban Interface Code, including updated radio-communication alignment with regional PSEC requirements, amended fire-flow requirements in high and very high fire severity zones (staff proposed an additional 500 gallons per minute in certain areas), clarifications on outdoor fireplaces that allow controllable gas or propane devices closer to structures than wood-burning devices, and other technical edits. Snyder said some deletions reflect sections the city does not enforce and that state law currently restricts local amendments to certain residential standards for a multi-year period.

Council members asked about specifics for outdoor gas fireplaces, alternative ways to meet higher fire-flow requirements (tanks, sprinklers, or other water-storage solutions), and whether pools could be used for drafting. Snyder said alternatives such as approved sprinkler systems (e.g., NFPA 13R-style systems) or properly maintained tanks can be considered, but noted long-term maintenance and enforcement present challenges. "We're trying to find a balance," Snyder said, adding staff will work with residents to identify reasonable solutions.

Councilmember Holliday moved and Mayor Pro Tem Lavelle seconded the motions. City Clerk recorded the council vote as unanimous for first readings and to schedule the Nov. 18 public hearings.