HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-058 - Required Modifications For Various California CodesRESOLUTION NO. 2025-058
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA SETTING FORTH FINDINGS WITH RESPECT
TO LOCAL CONDITIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF SANTA
ANA THAT JUSTIFY CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS AND
CHANGES TO THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE,
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, CALIFORNIA GREEN
BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, CALIFORNIA
ELECTRICAL CODE, CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE,
CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, CALIFORNIA ENERGY
CODE, CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, CALIFORNIA EXISTING
BUILDING CODE, CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING
CODE, AND INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY
MAINTENANCE CODE, AS AMENDED BY THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS
FOLLOWS;
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds, determines, and
declares as follows:
A. Health and Safety Code Section 17958 provides that the City of Santa Ana shall
adopt Ordinances and regulations imposing the same or modified or changed
requirements as are contained in the regulations adopted by the State pursuant to
Health and Safety Code Section 17922.
B. The State of California is mandated by Health and Safety Code Section 17922 to
impose the same requirements as are contained in the most recent edition of the
California Building Code, California Existing Building Code, California Plumbing
Code, California Mechanical Code, California Electrical Code, California
Residential Code, California Fire Code, California Green Building Standards Code,
California Historical Building Code, and the California Energy Code (hereinafter
referred to collectively as "Codes").
C. Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5 permits the City to make modifications or
changes to the Codes, which are reasonably necessary because of local climatic,
geological or topographical conditions.
D. Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires that the City Council, before
making any modifications or changes to the Codes, shall make an express finding
that such changes or modifications are reasonably necessary because of local
climatic, geological or topographical conditions.
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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
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with 50 percent of that growth centered in Southern California. Due to
storage capacities and consumption, and a limited amount of rainfall, future
water allocation is not fully dependable. This necessitates the need for
additional and on -site fire protection features.
D. These dry climatic conditions and winds contribute to the rapid spread of even
small fires originating in high -density housing or vegetation. These fires
spread very quickly and create a need for increased levels of fire protection.
The added protection of fire sprinkler systems and other fire protection
features will supplement normal fire department response by providing
immediate protection for the building occupants and by containing and
controlling the fire spread to the area of origin. Fire sprinkler systems will also
reduce the use of water for firefighting by as much as 50 to 75 percent.
Topographical Conditions
A. Natural; slopes of 15 percent or greater generally occur throughout the
foothills of Orange County. The elevation change cause by the hills creates
the geological foundation on which communities within Orange County are
built and will continue to build. With much of the populated flatlands already
built upon, future growth will occur on steeper slopes and with greater
constraints in terrain.
B. Traffic and circulation congestion is an artificially created, obstructive
topographical condition, which is common throughout Orange County.
C. These topographical conditions combine to create a situation, which places
fire department response time to fire occurrences at risk, and makes it
necessary to provide automatic on -site fire -extinguishing systems and other
protection measures to protect occupants and property.
III. Geological Conditions
The Orange County region is a densely populated area that has buildings
constructed over and near a vast and complex network of faults that are believed
to be capable of producing future earthquakes similar or greater in size than the
1994 Northridge and the 1971 Sylmar earthquakes. Earthquake faults run along
the northeast and southwest boundaries of Orange County. The Newport -
Inglewood Fault, located within Orange County, was the source of the destructive
1933 Long Beach earthquake (8.3 magnitude) which took 120 lives and
damaged buildings in an area from Laguna Beach to Marina Del Rey to Whittier.
In December 1989, another earthquake occurred in the jurisdiction of Irvine at an
unknown fault line. Regional planning for reoccurrence of earthquakes is
recommended by the State of California, Department of Conservation.
A. Previous earthquakes have been accompanied by disruption of traffic
flow and fires. A severe seismic event has the potential to negatively
impact any rescue or fire suppression activities because it is likely to
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create obstacles similar to those indicated under the high wind section
above. With the probability of strong aftershocks, there exists a need
to provide increased protection for anyone on upper floors of buildings.
The October 17, 1989, Santa Cruz earthquake resulted in one major
fire in the Marina District (San Francisco). When combined with the
34 other fires locally and over 500 responses, the department was
taxed to its fullest capabilities. The Marina fire was difficult to contain
because mains supplying water to the district burst during the
earthquake. This situation creates the need for both additional fire
protection and automatic on -site fire protection for building occupants.
State Department of Conservation noted in their 1988 report (Planning
Scenario on a Major Earthquake on the Newport -Inglewood Fault
Zone, page 59): "unfortunately, barely meeting the minimum
earthquake standards of building codes places a building on the verge
of being legally unsafe."
B. Road circulation features located throughout the County also make
amendments reasonably necessary. Located through the County are
major roadways, highways and flood control channels that create
barriers and slow response times. Hills, slopes, street and storm drain
design accompanied with occasional heavy rainfall, cause roadway
flooding and landslides and at times may make an emergency access
route impassable. There are areas in Orange County that naturally
have extended emergency response times exceeding the 5 minute
goal.
C. Soils throughout the County possess corrosive properties that reduce
the expected usable life of water services when metallic pipes in
contact with soils are utilized.
Due to the topographical conditions of sprawling development separated by
waterways and narrow and congested streets and the expected infrastructure
damage inherent in seismic zone described above, it is prudent to rely on
automatic fire sprinkler systems to mitigate extended fire department response
time and keep fires manageable with reduced fire flow (water) requirements for
a given structure. Additional fire protection is also justified to match the current
resources of firefighting equipment and personnel within the Orange County Fire
Authority.
Section 4. The following specific amendments to the sections of the 2025 Edition of
the California Building Code, as recommended by the Planning and Building Agency and the
Orange County Fire Authority, are reasonably necessary based upon the corresponding
findings in Section 3 of this Resolution:
BUILDING CODE
SECTION
TITLE (Clarification)
FINDINGS I,II,III
101.1
Title
Administrative
103.1
Enforcement Agency
Administrative
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105.3.2
Time Limitation of Application
Administrative
903.2
Where required (Sprinklers)
II & III-B
903.2.8
Group R (Sprinklers)
II & III-B
903.3.5.3
Hydraulically calculated systems
I & II
506.5.3 (CEBC)
Seismic Loads (California Existing Building Code)
II & III
1006.3 (CEBC)
Seismic Loads (California Existing Building Code)
II & III
Appendix I
Patio Covers
Admin, I, II & III
AppendixJ
Grading
Admin, 1, 11 & III
Section 5. The following specific amendments to the sections of the 2025 Edition of
the California Residential Code, as recommended by the Planning and Building Agency and
the Orange County Fire Authority, are reasonably necessary based upon the corresponding
findings in Section 3 of this Resolution:
RESIDENTIAL
CODE SECTION
TITLE (Clarification)
FINDINGS I,II,III
Table R301.2
Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria
Admin, I, II & III
Appendix H
Patio Covers
Admin, I, II & III
Section 6. The following specific amendments to the sections of the 2025 Edition of
the California Residential Code, as recommended by the Planning and Building Agency and
the Orange County Fire Authority, are reasonably necessary based upon the corresponding
findings in Section 3 of this Resolution:
FIRE CODE
SECTION
TITLE (Clarification)
FINDINGS I,II,III
113.4
Violation penalties
Administrative
113.4.2
Infraction and misdemeanor
Administrative
202
General definitions
Administrative
304.1.3
OCFA vegetation management
1
305.6
Hazardous conditions outdoor fires
I & II
305.7
Disposal of rubbish
I & II
307
Open burning, recreational fires, fire pits, fire
rings, and outdoor fireplaces
Administrative
307.6
Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings
Administrative
307.6.1
Gas -fueled devices (outdoor fires)
I & 11
307.6.2
Devices using wood or fuels other than
natural gas or LPG
I & 11
307.6.2.1
Where prohibited(burning of solid fuels
I & 11
324.1
Fuel modification requirements for new
construction
I
325.1
Clearance of brush or vegetation growth from
roadways
I
326.1
Unusual circumstances (vegetation
management)
Administrative
327.1
Use of equipment (IC engines and spark
arresters
I
327.2
Use of equipment and devices generating
I
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heat, sparks or open flames
327.3
Spark arresters
1
407.5
Hazardous material inventory statement
I & II
501.1
Scope fire service features
Administrative, 1, II & Ill
510.1
Emergency responder radio coverage
Administrative
903.2
Where required sprinklers
I, II & III
903.2.8
Group R (sprinklers)
I, II & III
903.3.5.3
Hydraulically calculated s stems
I, II & III
2801.2
Permit biomass storage and handling)
Administrative
2808.2
Storage site
Administrative
2808.3
Size of piles
1
2808.4
Pile separation
1
2808.7
Pile fire protection
I
2808.9
Material -handling equipment
I
2808.11
Temperature control
1
2808.11.1
Pile temperature control
1
2808.11.2
New material temperature control
2808.12
Water availability for piles
2808.13
Tipping area
1
2808.14
Emergency contact information
Administrative
2808.15
Maximum grid of piles and rows
Administrative, 1
2808.16
Push -out f clear area
Administrative, 1
5001.5.2
Hazardous materials inventory statement
Administrative
50011.1.1
Extremely hazardous substances
1, II & III
5608.2
Firing commercial fireworks
Administrative
5608.3
Application for permit (commercial fireworks)
Administrative
Chapter 80
Reference Standards
NIA
2025 NFPA 13 (commercial sprinkler
systems)
Administrative, 11 & III
2025 NFPA 13D (single family sprinkler
systems)
I & 11
2025 NFPA 24 (underground water supply
systems)
Administrative & III
Section 7. The aforementioned amendments have been incorporated in detail in
Ordinance NS-3088.
Section 8. Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17958(b)(1), the City finds
that any changes or modifications affecting residential units contained in Ordinance NS-3088
are substantially equivalent to changes or modifications that were previously filed by the City
of Santa Ana and were in effect as of September 30, 2025.
Section 9. Additional amendments have been made to the relevant California
Building Code, California Existing Building Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code,
Plumbing Code, Energy Code, Existing Building Code, Residential Code, Green Building
Standards Code, Fire Code, and International Property Maintenance Code. On the
recommendation of the Planning and Building Agency and the Orange County Fire Authority,
such amendments are hereby found to be either administrative or procedural in nature or
concern themselves with subjects not covered in the aforementioned Codes. The changes
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made include provisions making each of said Codes compatible with other Codes enforced
by the City
Section 10. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby approves and
authorizes the Planning and Building Agency to file copies of Resolution 2025-058 and
Ordinance NS-3088 with the California Building Standards Commission, as required by
Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7.
Section 11. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the
City Council, and the City Clerk shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this Resolution.
ADOPTED this 2nd day of December, 2025.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, ity At rney
1
By:
Melissa M. Crosthwaite
Senior Assistant City Attorney
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN
ABSENT:
Councilmembers Amezcua, Bacerra, Hernandez, Lopez
Penaloza, Phan, Vazquez (7)
Councilmembers None (0
Councilmembers None (0
Councilmembers None (0)
Resolution No. 2025-058
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CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, JENNIFER L. HALL, City Clerk, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution
No. 2025-058 to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa
Ana on December 2 2025.
Date:
1`tt�
Jennifer L. H li
City Clerk
Resolution No. 2025-058
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