Upland council introduces 2025 California building code, approves consent calendar items

The Upland City Council on Oct. 27 introduced an ordinance to adopt by reference the 2025 edition of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) and set a public hearing for Nov. 24 to consider adoption.

Robert Dahlquist, the city’s development services director, told the council that state law requires the California Building Standards Commission to update the codes every three years and that the 2025 code is scheduled to become effective Jan. 2026. Dahlquist said the 2025 changes are not substantial for the city and focus mainly on energy efficiency, fire and life-safety, and accessibility requirements. He also noted that Assembly Bill 130 places a moratorium on applying new residential building standards from Oct. 25 to June 1, 2031, which limits the effect of some future residential changes.

A motion to hold first reading by title only and introduce an ordinance adopting the 2025 codes was moved by Councilmember Bridal and seconded by Mayor Prochima; the council voted unanimously to proceed and set the Nov. 24 public hearing.

Separately, the council approved the consent calendar — items 10a, b, c, d, e, f, g, i and j — on a motion by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Breitling; the motion passed unanimously. Item 10h was pulled for separate discussion and later taken up and approved (see separate article on the West End Navigation Center MOU).

In presentations preceding the business agenda the council recognized resident Olivia Sasami for youth wrestling achievements and accepted a donation of six preapproved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) construction plan sets from Tom Campbell, which the council said will be posted on the city’s Building and Safety web page to help residents build ADUs at lower cost. Council materials estimate the donated plans are valued at approximately $50,000.

The council had no additional business items and adjourned to its next regular meeting on Nov. 10.