2025-058 - REQUIRED AMENDMENTS FOR VARIOUS CALIFORNIA CODES

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E. Further, Assembly Bill 130 ("AB 130"), effective June 30, 2025, placed a moratorium on state and local building standards affecting residential units, beginning October 1, 2025 and ending June 1, 2031. As a result, cities and counties are prohibited from making changes to standards that are applicable to residential units, unless one of several conditions can be met. Section 17958(b)(1) provides that one such condition allows changes or modifications that are substantially equivalent to changes or modifications that were previously filed by the governing body of the city or county and were in effect as of September 30, 2025. Section 2. The Planning and Building Agency and the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) have recommended that changes and modifications be made to the Codes and have advised that certain said changes and modifications to the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, California Existing Building Code, 2025 Edition, California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition, California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, California Existing Building Code, 2025 Edition, California Energy Code, 2025 Edition, California Historical Building Code, 2025 Edition, and the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, are reasonably necessary due to local conditions in the City of Santa Ana. Section 3. Amendments to the 2025 Edition of the California Building Code, the 2025 Edition of the California Existing Building Code, the 2025 Edition of the California Residential Code, and the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code, as recommended by the Planning and Building Agency and the Orange County Fire Authority, are hereby found to be reasonably necessary based upon the following findings: I. Climate Conditions A. The jurisdiction of Santa Ana is located in a semi -arid Mediterranean type climate. It annually experiences extended periods of high temperatures with little or no precipitation. Hot, dry (Santa Ana) winds, which may reach speeds of 70 M.P.H. orgreater, are also common to the area. These climatic conditions cause extreme drying of vegetation and common building materials. Frequent periods of drought and low humidity add to the fire danger. This predisposes the area to large destructive fires (conflagration). In addition to directly damaging or destroying buildings, these fires are also prone to disrupt utility services throughout the County. Obstacles generated by a strong wind, such as fallen trees, street lights and utility poles will greatly impact the response time to reach an incident scene. B. The climate alternates between extended periods of drought and brief flooding conditions. Flood conditions may affect the Orange County Fire Authority's ability to respond to a fire or emergency condition. Floods also disrupt utility services to buildings and facilities within the County. C. Water demand in this densely populated area far exceeds the quantity supplied by natural precipitation; and although the population continues to grow, the already -taxed water supply does not. California is projected to increase in population by nearly 10 million over the next quarter of a century Resolution No. 2025-058 Page 2 of 8