Bell Gardens council introduces building-code update and adopts interim urgency ordinance

The Bell Gardens City Council and its successor agency opened a public hearing on Jan. 12 and introduced Ordinance No. 962 to amend Title 6 (Buildings and Construction) of the Bell Gardens Municipal Code to adopt by reference Los Angeles County code titles that incorporate the 2025 California Building Standards (Title 24) and the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code.

Manny Acosta, the city’s community development director, told the council that the 2025 California building standards were published July 1, 2025, and that adopting the county titles by reference aligns the city’s code with recent state and county amendments. "The new 2025 California building standards codes are published on July 1, 2025 and went into effect on January 1, 2026," Acosta said, explaining the need for the update. He also noted that the Los Angeles County fire code had been included in the published public hearing materials in error and would not be adopted that night.

Because state and model codes change on a three-year cycle, Acosta said the ordinance would update local permitting and enforcement references so building permits and inspections reflect the most recent standards. Council members sought clarification on timing; staff explained Ordinance 962 was being introduced as a first reading and would return for a second reading and formal adoption under the normal schedule.

To avoid confusion for contractors and applicants while the multi-step adoption process moves forward, staff also recommended — and the council adopted — an interim urgency ordinance, No. 963-U. Acosta described the urgency measure as a short-term step to prevent conflicting interpretations of permit applications and enforcement. "The urgency ordinance is presented as a measure for the immediate protection of the public health and safety and welfare," he said. Under the procedure described to the council, the interim ordinance required a four-fifths vote and would terminate 45 days after Ordinance 962 goes into effect.

On a motion and roll-call vote recorded by the city clerk, the council approved waiving the full reading and introducing Ordinance No. 962 by title and separately adopted Ordinance No. 963-U; both were recorded as passing unanimously. The first-reading introduction of Ordinance 962 starts the formal process of adopting the 2025 state standards locally; the urgency ordinance will remain in effect only until the formal ordinance is adopted and becomes effective.

Why it matters: Adopting the 2025 California building standards by reference updates local technical and safety rules that affect building permits, plan checks, inspections, and construction compliance across Bell Gardens. Contractors, architects and residents who submit permit applications should expect the city to apply the updated technical requirements once the revised local ordinance is adopted.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance No. 962 (introduction by title only): motion to waive reading and introduce passed, roll-call recorded unanimous (5–0). - Urgency Ordinance No. 963-U (interim adoption to avoid conflicts): adopted by roll-call unanimous (5–0). - Consent calendar and other routine motions noted separately (see Votes at a glance section below).

The council did not receive public comments on the item during the hearing. The item will return for any required second reading or additional procedural steps before final local adoption.