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Building inspectors report sharp rise in housing permits and 2025 code changes
Summary
City building inspector Cameron Hepperly told the Twentynine Palms City Council the department processed more than 1,000 permits in 2025 and issued 38 residential permits (53 housing units), highlighted frequent ADU questions, and outlined 2025 code changes such as required permanent foundations for storage containers and electric heat pumps for new pools.
Cameron Hepperly, a Twentynine Palms City building inspector, told the City Council on March 9 that the building department processed over 1,000 permits in 2025 and issued 38 new residential permits (representing 53 housing units because some permits covered multifamily units). Hepperly said the numbers mark a growth from 25 new housing permits in 2022, 14 in 2023 and 13 in 2024.
Hepperly described the department’s staffing and chain of command and said the Building & Safety division is part of Community Development. He identified common topics that residents bring to the counter, including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), shipping-container homes, garage conversions, flood mitigation, and ADA accessibility questions.
On code changes, Hepperly said the city adopted the 2025 building code cycle in December. He called out two specific changes that have surprised applicants: shipping containers used for storage now require permanent foundations (an update that took effect in 2022 and continues under 2025 code) and new pools must use electric heat pumps as the primary heat source, rather than gas or propane.
Council members asked what drove the increase in building activity. Hepperly credited Twentynine Palms’ growing appeal—proximity to the Marine base and Joshua Tree National Park—and encouraged the council to consider making ADU stock plans or other streamlined options available to help residents build affordable, smaller-scale housing.
Hepperly closed by offering direct contact information for permit questions and urging residents to consult the building department early in a project to avoid delays.
The building department presentation preceded other agenda items; no formal council action was taken on the presentation itself.
