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Larksburg council adopts 2025 California building code updates, with limited local amendments
Summary
The Larksburg City Council on Feb. 4 adopted Ordinance 1096 to carry the 2025 California Building Standards (Title 24) into the municipal code. Staff emphasized the state code is already effective statewide and explained narrow local amendment options under AB130.
The Larksburg City Council voted Feb. 4 to adopt Ordinance 1096, amending Title 15 of the municipal code to adopt by reference the 2025 edition of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24).
Staff told the council the state-adopted building standards became effective statewide on Jan. 1, 2026, and that the ordinance formalizes those standards locally while carrying forward the city’s existing local amendments. The staff report said the item had been before the council earlier in January but was re-noticed after flooding disrupted publication of the hearing notice.
Council members focused questions on a commonly contested provision relating to the threshold for a “substantial remodel” (the staff report referenced a 50% valuation rule used by other jurisdictions) and on what discretion the city retains to make local amendments. Staff and the city attorney explained that AB130 narrows cities’ ability to adopt local amendments: any amendment must meet AB130’s exceptions (for example, align with the general plan and any required all‑electric construction incentives) or be pursued through a separate ordinance process.
A member of the public who called in, James Holmes of Larkpur, urged that the ordinance require notice to neighbors when developers seek extensions of time to complete construction and argued contractor nonperformance should not justify extensions; staff replied that notice requirements or separate local ordinances could be pursued on a different path if the council desired.
After discussion the council moved, seconded and passed Ordinance 1096 by voice vote. Council members and staff said the state codes are already in force and that the ordinance aligns local code text with state law and preserves the city’s narrowly tailored local provisions where permitted.
The council did not adopt any new local amendments to Title 24 at the meeting; staff said changes beyond what AB130 permits would require additional drafting, findings and two readings before the council. The city will publish the ordinance and staff will follow up on any requests to bring separate notice or permit‑extension items back as standalone ordinances.
