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Menlo Park adopts 2025 California Building Standards Code with local amendments; effective Jan. 1, 2026
Summary
Council voted to waive second reading and adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code, including local amendments and an associated cost-effectiveness study; the motion passed with Mayor Drew Combs dissenting.
Menlo Park's City Council unanimously waived the second reading and adopted an ordinance to incorporate the 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24) into the Menlo Park Municipal Code with specified local amendments to Parts 2, 2.5, 5, 6 and 11. Assistant Community Development Director Ron LaFrance explained the triennial code update, local amendment process and staff's recommendation to adopt the code and accept a cost-effectiveness study for energy efficiency amendments. The ordinance will take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The motion to adopt was made by Vice Mayor Betsy Nash and seconded by Councilmember Jennifer Wise; the motion passed with Mayor Drew Combs dissenting.
Staff indicated that the proposed ordinance includes local amendments adopted in 2022 and additional amendments from February and August 2025, and that cities adopting local amendments must base them on local geologic, topographic or climatic findings. No public commenters spoke during the hearing on this item.
The action aligns Menlo Park with the statewide 2025 standards while formalizing locally tailored modifications. The Council will implement the ordinance and enforce the updated code beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
