Temple City council adopts 2025 California building standards by reference

The Temple City Council voted unanimously Dec. 2 to adopt Ordinance 25-1085, updating the city—uilding code by reference to the 2025 California Building Standards (Title 24) with a set of local administrative amendments.

Community Development Director Mr. Reamers told the council that the state updates the Building Standards every three years and that the changes are intended "to improve safety, to improve sustainability, and to improve building performance across the state." He recommended adopting the state codes and applying narrow local amendments that govern how the city administers the code (for example, which work requires a permit and certain administrative procedures).

Council members asked for clarification about AB130, recent state legislation that temporarily prevents cities from adopting residential code changes stricter than the state—ode. Mr. Reamers said AB130 limits new local residential amendments designed to be more stringent than the state standard and that any existing local amendments enacted before AB130 may have exceptions. He described the city mendments before the council as primarily administrative (permit thresholds, refunds and procedural tweaks) rather than technical changes to the state—onstruction requirements.

Council discussion also addressed Los Angeles County mendments geared toward hillside, high-wind and wildland conditions; Mr. Reamers said those county-specific sections do not generally apply to Temple City and that Temple City is following the statewide requirements adopted by most nearby cities. Council members asked whether wood-frame construction provisions and historical building standards were being incorporated; staff said county provisions on certain elevated wood-frame hold-down requirements were not being adopted and that Temple City does not currently have an active historic-preservation ordinance or Mills Act program to trigger use of the historical building code.

After opening and closing the public hearing with no speakers, the council proceeded with a motion and roll-call vote. The ordinance passed unanimously: Council members Chavez, Chen and Yu and Mayor Pro Man and Mayor Sternquist all voted yes.

Next steps: the council authorized second reading by title only, waived further reading, and adopted Ordinance 25-1085. Staff said they will return as needed with any subsequent implementing details or further amendments tied to administrative processes.