Council reviews proposed Riverside code updates tied to California Title 24; hearing held

Riverside fire department staff and other city personnel presented proposed amendments to multiple chapters of the Riverside Municipal Code that would implement statewide changes published in California’s Title 24 (model building codes).

Presenters described changes across chapters referenced in staff slides (including chapters 16.32, 16.23, 16.24 and 16.36) and said most changes are administrative, reflect state updates and are intended to preserve or enhance life‑safety standards. The staff presentation noted the state publishes new codes on July 1 and that, per the normal adoption cycle, local ordinance changes would take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Councilmembers and the fire representative discussed the scope of technical adjustments and noted that some local amendments require specific findings (for example, where stricter local requirements are imposed because of geological or fire‑risk conditions). Staff said they removed duplicative provisions that are now governed under the California Fire Code to avoid overlap.

The public hearing was opened for the Title 24‑related ordinances; no substantive public opposition was recorded in the transcript. Staff indicated the ordinances were introduced previously (first reading Oct. 21) and recommended adoption so the local code aligns with the state code effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Next steps: staff will return with final ordinance adoption language and implementation procedures; council will consider formal adoption consistent with hearing procedures and any required findings.