South Pasadena adopts 2025 building and fire codes and a short‑term urgency measure

The City Council on Dec. 17 adopted a package of code updates that bring the city's building and fire rules into alignment with the 2025 California codes.

Community Development Director Erica Ramirez presented the second reading and public hearing for Ordinance No. 2407, which adopts by reference the 2025 California Building Code series (including residential, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, energy and green building standards). There were no public speakers on the building code item, and the council approved the ordinance by roll call.

Fire Chief Greg Lloyd presented Ordinance No. 2408, adopting the 2025 California Fire Code and the new Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) code by reference. One in‑person speaker asked how implementation would affect hillside vegetation and inspections; Chief Lloyd said the WUI code consolidates requirements on home hardening and defensible space and staff would work on implementation guidance.

Because the state codes take effect Jan. 1, 2026, staff also brought an urgency ordinance (No. 2410) to bridge a potential gap. The urgency ordinance briefly preserves the city's locally adopted amendments (chiefly square‑foot thresholds tied to certain sprinkler requirements) so they apply during the Jan. 1–Jan. 16 period before the city's standard adoption would take effect. Staff explained the urgency measure was needed because of a timing oversight in the public‑notice schedule; council adopted the short‑term urgency ordinance by roll call.

All three actions were adopted during the meeting; staff said they will publish guidance for property owners and remain available to answer implementation questions early next year.