San Carlos introduces 2025 building and fire code updates and a retail ban on nitrous‑oxide sales

Late in the Oct. 27 meeting the San Carlos City Council introduced several regulatory measures covering building standards and public health.

Assistant Building Official Robert Lord briefed the council on the coming 2025 California code cycle, which includes new energy and electrification provisions and reflects state legislation (AB130) that limits local governments’ ability to add or keep more restrictive residential standards without state authorization. "The California codes have been evolving rapidly," Lord told council members, noting the city’s existing reach code will need reassessment because many state code changes have become baseline requirements.

On unanimous roll call the council introduced ordinances to adopt the updated building and fire codes (ordinances 1629 and 1630) so the city’s regulations will align with the state’s 2025 cycle. These introductions move the measures toward adoption hearings later in the ordinance process.

City Attorney Greg explained a proposed ban on retail sale and distribution of nitrous oxide canisters (commonly called "whippets") with limited exceptions for legitimate users — food‑service wholesale supply, dentists and medical uses, pharmacies and research. He described health harms that have guided the proposal and noted the county recently adopted a similar ordinance.

"Nitrous oxide has legitimate uses, but it is also being abused for recreational purposes," City Attorney Greg said, summarizing the ordinance’s public‑health rationale. The council introduced the whippet ban (ordinance 1631) on a unanimous vote and directed staff to proceed with the formal ordinance process.

What’s next: The ordinances were introduced (first reading) and will return for adoption on the regular ordinance schedule; staff will prepare final language and implementation details. Councilmembers asked staff to coordinate outreach to retailers and local wholesale suppliers to clarify exceptions and compliance expectations.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 1629 (2025 California building codes): Introduced, roll‑call vote unanimous (5–0). - Ordinance 1630 (2024 Int'l / 2025 CA Fire Code): Introduced, roll‑call vote unanimous (5–0). - Ordinance 1631 (ban on retail nitrous‑oxide sales): Introduced, roll‑call vote unanimous (5–0).

Direct quote - "Nitrous oxide is an odorless, colorless gas with legitimate uses, but it is being abused for recreational purposes," City Attorney Greg said during the council briefing.

Ending note: The building‑code updates set the city to adopt the new state baseline; the nitrous‑oxide ordinance follows a growing trend among Bay Area jurisdictions to curb retail sales used for recreational abuse.