Saint Helena council adopts 2025 California building standards; debates wildfire access and directs staff to seek exceptions

The Saint Helena City Council unanimously voted to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards (state triannual code) and local amendments after a lengthy discussion about state-mandated energy requirements and local fire-access language.

Jim McCann, acting community development director, and Philip Henry, the city’s chief building official, explained that the California Energy Code includes tighter energy metrics and effectively requires heat pumps and solar panels in many new buildings. "As of January 1, by state law, the 2025 building codes went into effect," Henry said, adding that the energy code "has pretty much mandated heat pumps, solar panels." He also noted that some local amendments cannot be changed during a state-imposed freeze on residential amendments through mid-2031 under AB 130.

Council members raised concerns about a local amendment that had required two apparatus access points for larger developments; staff and the fire department explained the rule’s history and said some language had been removed to avoid confusion because state code exceptions for sprinklered buildings often apply. Fire staff described the exception and noted that modern multifamily construction typically includes sprinklers, which affects how access requirements apply.

Vice Mayor Deasy and other members said they are worried about wildfire evacuation and suggested pursuing clearer language or a state exception for more stringent local access requirements. The council directed staff to explore whether an exception or emergency standard under state rules could be sought and to report back.

Separately, the council approved a staff proposal to reclassify an engineering technician position to an assistant engineer and authorize recruitment to address project workload. The proposal was introduced after vice mayor questions about timing for an ongoing efficiency study; staff said recruitment is needed because work is piling up and that recruitment typically takes about four months.

Other actions at the meeting included formal acceptance of a sewer-district annexation (APN 009-391-035) and closeout of a CDBG-funded mental-health program (ALDEA Children and Family Services subrecipient). The annexation was adopted by roll-call vote; staff said $374,281 of a $498,281 CDBG award was spent, with roughly $124,000 returned to the program pool as the grant closed out.

The council asked staff to consult the state building standards commission and city attorney about potential pathways to pursue fire-safety exceptions or clearer local language, and asked that staff return with options.