HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2025-2552 - Chapter 15.79 Amendment - 2025 California Residential Code AdoptionORDINANCE NO. 2025 - 2552
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, AMENDING
CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THAT CODE, AND AMENDING CHAPTER 15.79 OF THE
NATIONAL CITY MUNICIPAL CODE.
WHEREAS, the ordinance updates the locally adopted building and construction codes
(last updated in 2023) to incorporate the 2025 California Building Code; 2025 California
Residential Code; 2025 California Existing Building Code; 2025 California Electrical Code and
2023 National Eclectic Code; 2025 California Mechanical Code; 2025 California Plumbing Code;
2025 California Energy Code; 2025 California Green Building Code; and all appendices related
to these codes with minor modifications to reflect local conditions; and
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Section 17958 requires that cities adopt
building regulations that are substantially the same as those adopted by the California Building
Standards Commission and contained in the California Building Standards; and
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code section 17958.5 permits local jurisdictions
to make changes or modifications to the California Building Standards Code as are reasonably
necessary due to local climatic, geological or topographical conditions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the minor modifications and changes to the
California Building Standards Code are reasonably necessary to ensure consistent application of
the codes throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to a published 10-day notice of the adoption of said ordinance, a
public hearing was held by the City Council on November 4, 2025, and at said public hearing, all
persons interested were given the opportunity to appear and be heard before the City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY DOES
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the City Council of the City of National City hereby adopts the 2025
California Residential Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2.5 except as
amended in Chapter 15.79 of the National City Municipal Code.
Section 2. That the City Council of the City of National City hereby deletes, adds, or
modifies certain provisions of the 2025 California Residential Code.
Section 3. That the City Council of the City of National City hereby amends Chapter
15.79 of the National City Municipal Code to read as follows:
CHAPTER 15.79
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE
Sections:
15.79.010 2025 California Residential Code - Adopted.
15.79.025 Chapter 1, Division 11, Section R104 "Duties and Powers of the
Building Official", Subsection R104.6 "Right of entry" - Amended.
15.79.030 Chapter 1, Division 11, Section R105 "Permits", Subsection
R105.2 "Work Exempt From Permit - Building" - Amended.
15.79.040 Chapter 1, Division 11, Section R105 "Permits", Subsection R105.5
"Expiration" - Amended.
15.79.045 Chapter 1, Division II, Section R105 "Permits", Subsection R105.7
"Placement of Permit" - Amended.
15.79.050 Chapter 1, Division 11, Section R105 "Permits", Subsection
R105.8.1 "Permit Denial" — Added.
15.79.055 Chapter 1, Division 11, Section R108 "Fees", Subsection R108.2
"Schedule of Permit Fees" - Amended.
15.79.060 Chapter 1, Division 11, Section R108 "Fees", Subsection
R108.6 "Work Commencing Before Permit Issuance" —
Amended
15.79.065 Chapter 1, Division 11, Section R109 "Inspections",
Subsection 109.3.1 "Reinspections" - Added.
15.79.070 Chapter 1, Division 11, Section R110 "Certificate of Occupancy",
Subsection R110.4 "Temporary Occupancy" - Amended.
15.79.075 Chapter 1, Division 11, Section R112 "Board of Appeals", Subsection R112.1
"General" - Amended.
15.79.076 Chapter 1, Division 11, Section 112 "Board of Appeals," Subsection R112.4
"Administration" — Added
15.79.080 Chapter 1, Division 11, Section R113 "Violations ", Subsection R113.1 "Unlawful
acts" - Amended.
15.79.082 Section 202 Definitions "Building Existing" - Amended.
15.79.085 Chapter 1, Division 11, Section R319 "Site Addresses ", Subsection R319.1
"Address identification" - Amended.
15.72.090 Chapter 1, Division II, Section R902 "Fire Classification", Subsection R902.1.3
"Roofing coverings in all other areas" - Amended.
15.79.095 Plan review fees.
15.79.010 2025 California Residential Code - Adopted. The City Council adopts, for
the purpose of prescribing regulations governing the erection, construction, enlargement,
alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, use, height, area, fire
resistance and maintenance of one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than
three stories above grade, the 2025 California Residential Code, published by the California
Building Standards Commission based on the International Residential Code 2024 Edition,
including specified Appendices, including Administration Divisions I and II, California Code of
Regulations Title 24, and Part 2.5 of the California Health and Safety Code beginning with
Section 18901, save and except such portions as are deleted, added, or amended by this
chapter. The City Council does specifically and expressly find and declare specific changes in
variation for local amendments to the administrative provisions of the 2025 California
Residential Code. Copies of the codes are filed in the office of the Building Official, and are
adopted and incorporated as fully set out in this chapter, and the provisions thereof shall be
controlling within the city limits.
15.79.025 Chapter 1, Division II, Section R-104 "Duties and powers of the "Building
Official", Subsection R104.6 "Right of entry" - Amended. Subsection R104.6 of the 2025
California Residential Code is amended to read as follows:
R104.6 Right of Entry. When necessary to make an inspection to enforce any
of the provision of this code, or when the Authority Having Jurisdiction has reasonable
cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises a condition or
code violation which make such building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous,
the Authority Having Jurisdiction, or designee, may request entry as specified in
Chapter 1.12 of the National City Municipal Code
15.79.30 Chapter 1. Division II, Section R105 "Permits", Subsection R105.2 "Work
exempt from permit - Building" - Amended. Chapter 1, Division II, Subsection R105.2 of the
2025 California Residential Code is amended by adding the following Subsections 11 through
14:
11. Playground, gymnastic and similar equipment and structures used for
recreation and athletic activities accessory to Group R Division 3 structures. Repairs to
lawfully existing Group R Division 3 structures and Group U occupancy structures accessory
to Group R Division 3 structures constructed pursuant to a building permit which involves only
the replacement of component parts or existing work completed with similar materials only for
the purpose of maintenance and do not affect any structural components or plumbing,
mechanical or electrical installations. Repairs exempt from permit requirements shall not
include any addition, change, ormodification in construction, exitfacilities or permanent fixtures
or equipment. Specifically exempt from permit requirements are:
A. Painting and decorating including refinishing of exterior stucco
finishes.
B. Installation of floor covering.
C. Cabinet work.
D. Outside paving on private property not within the public right-of-
r5M
12. Ground mounted satellite antennas not exceeding ten feet in diameter
and roof mounted satellite antennas not exceeding eight feet in
diameter.
13. Painted wall signs and Styrofoam or other foam mounted wall signs.
15.79.40 Chapter 1, Division II, Section R105 "Permits", Subsection R105.5 "Expiration"
_- Amended. Subsection R105.5 of the 2025 California Residential Code is amended to read
as follows:
R105.5 Expiration. Every permit issued by the Building Official under the
provisions of this code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the building
or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within twelve calendar months
from the date of such permit issuance, or if the building or work authorized by such
permit is stopped at any time after the work has commenced for a period of six calendar
months, or if the building or work authorized by such permit exceeds three calendar
years from the issuance date of the permit. Work shall be presumed to have
commenced if the permittee has obtained a required inspection approval of work
authorized by the permit by the Building Official within twelve calendar months of the
date of permit issuance. Work shall be presumed to be stopped if the permittee has
not obtained a required inspection approval of work by the Building Official within each
six- month period upon the initial commencement of work authorized by such permit.
In order for work to be recommenced, a Permit Extension Request must be
submitted in writing and approved by the Building Official. Eligibility for a permit
extension is specified below.
For permits for which work has not commenced in the first twelve
calendar months from the date of issuance, a permit extension may be
obtained provided that:
A. No changes have been made or will be made in the original
plans and specifications for such work;
B. The expiration has not exceeded three years from the original
issuance date;
C. The same edition of the California codes is in effect as used in
the initial plan check;
D. A fee equal to one-half the amount required for a new permit is
paid; and
E. The renewal permit shall expire three calendar years from the
date of initial permit issuance.
2. For permits where work was commenced and was subsequently
stopped as defined herein, a permit extension may be obtained
provided that:
A. No changes have been made or will be made in the original
plans and specifications for such work;
B. The expiration has not exceeded three years from the original
issuance date;
C. A fee equal to one-half the amount required for a new permit is
paid, except that where construction has progressed and has
been approved to the point of requiring only a final inspection, a
fee equal to one quarter the amount required for a new permit
shall be paid;
D. A renewal permit shall expire three calendar years from the date
of initial permit issuance.
3. For an extension of an unexpired permit, the permittee may apply for
an extension of the time within which work under that permit may be
continued when for good and satisfactory reasons, as determined by
the Building Official in his or her sole discretion, the permittee is unable
to continue work within the time required by section 15.79.040. The
Building Official may extend the time for action by the permittee for a
period not exceeding six calendar months beyond the expiration date
in effect at the time of the extension application, upon written request
by the permittee showing that circumstances beyond the control of the
permittee have prevented action from being taken.
4. Permits issued where the permittee has been deployed to a foreign
country, may be held in abeyance until six months after the return of
the permittee from his/her deployment, if necessary, upon application
for such relief by the permittee.
15.79.045 Chapter 1, Division II. Section R105 "Permits". Subsection R105.7
"Placement of permit" - Amended. Subsection R105.7 of the 2025 California Residential Code
is amended to read as follows:
R105.7 Placement of permit. The building permit or a copy, the inspection
record, and the approved plans shall all be kept on site until the completion of the
project. The inspection record is to be kept on the job unless removed by the Building
Official.
15.79.050 Chapter 1. Division II, Section R105 "Permits", Subsection R105.8.1 "Permit
denial" - Added. Subsection R105.8.1 is added to the 2025 California Residential Code to
read as follows:
R105.8.1 Permit denial. The Building Official may deny the issuance of a
building permit on any property where there exists an unsafe or a substandard building
as provided in the Chapters 15.10 and 15.16 of the National City Municipal Code, or
where there exists unlawful construction, or where there exists a violation of the
National City Municipal Code.
15.79.055 Chapter 1. Division 11. Section R108 "Fees". Subsection R108.2 - "Schedule
of permit fees" - Amended. Subsection R108.2 of the 2025 California Residential Code is
amended to read as follows:
R108.2 Schedule of permit fees. Permit fees, including plan review fees, shall be
assessed in accordance with the current City of National City Fee Schedule.
15.79.060 Chapter 1. Division II. Section R108 "Fees". Subsection R108.6 "Work
commencing before permit issuance" - Amended. Subsection R108.6 of the 2025 California
Residential Code is amended to read as follows:
R108.6 Work commencing before permit issuance. Any person who
commences any work on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing
system before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to an administrative
penalty equal to the inspection fee portion of the permit fee that would be required by
this code if a permit were to be issued. The administrative penalty is in addition to a
permitfee.
When a plan review is required for issuance of such permit, the plan review fee
portion will not be subject to said penalty. The payment of such administrative penalty
shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this code or
from any penalty prescribed by law.
15.79.65 Chapter 1. Division II, Section R109 "Inspections", Subsection 109.3.1
"Reinspections" - Added. Subsection R109.3.1 is added to the 2025 California Residential
Code to read as follows:
R109.3.1 Reinspections. A reinspection fee may be assessed for each
inspection or reinspection when any of the following occurs:
1. The portion of work for which the inspection was called is not complete or
the corrections previously required and called for are not made;
2. Calling for an inspection before the job is ready for such inspection or
reinspection;
3. The inspection record card or the approved plans are not posted or
otherwise available to the inspector;
4. Failure to provide access on the date for which the inspection is requested;
or,
5. Deviating from the approved plans when such deviation or change
required approval of the building official.
To obtain a reinspection, the permittee shall pay the reinspection fee
in accordance with the current City of National City Fee Schedule. In
instances where a reinspection fee has been assessed, no further
inspections shall be performed until the fees have been paid.
15.79.70 Chapter 1. Division II, Section R110 "Certificate of Occupancy",
Subsection R110.4 'Temporary occupancy" - Amended. Subsection R110.4 of the 2025
California Residential Code is amended to read as follows:
R110.4. Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. Where a project or a major
portion thereof is substantially complete and can be safely occupied, but practical
difficulties delay completion of work, the Building Official may issue a Temporary
Certificate of Occupancy for the use of a portion or portions of the building or structure
prior to the completion of the entire project.
Prior to issuance of a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, the premises shall be
inspected by all affected city departments who shall prepare a list of work required to be
completed and shall forward the list along with a recommendation for approval or disapproval
of the issuance of a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy to the Building Official.
Upon receipt of a recommendation for approval from all affected City departments.
The Building Official may prepare a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy granting temporary
occupancy that shall include the following:
1. Work yet to be completed;
2. Maximum time allotted for completion of said work;
3. Property owner's signature and the signature of the contractor agreeing to
complete the work within the prescribed time or vacate the premises upon
order of the Building Official until such work is completed;
4. Evidence that a faithful performance bond has been posted if required by
any affected City department; and
5. A copy of the Temporary Certificate of Occupancy granting temporary
occupancy shall be provided to all affected city departments.
15.79.75 Chapter 1. Division II. Section R112 "Board of Appeals ". Subsection
R112.1 "General" - Amended. Subsection R112.1 of the 2025 California Residential Code is
amended to read as follows:
R112.1 General. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions, or
determinations of the Building Official relative to the application and interpretation of
this code, the City Council shall appoint an ad hoc Board of Appeals comprised of
three (3) members who are qualified by experience and training to pass upon matters
pertaining to building construction and who are not employees of the City. Board
members shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council. The board shall comply with
Rosenberg's Rules of Order in conducting their business, and shall render written
decisions and findings to the appellant with a copy to the Building Official. Decisions
of the Board may be appealed to the City Council by the appellant or by the Building
Official within thirty (30) days of the decision of the Board, by the filing of a written
notice of appeal with the Director of Community Development stating the reasons for
the appeal. The person filing the appeal and the opposing party shall be given at least
ten (10) days' written notice of the time and place of the hearing on the appeal.
15.79.76 Chapter 1, Division II, Section 112 "Board of Appeals." Subsection
R112.4 "Administration" - Added. Subsection R112.4 of the 2025 California Residential Code
is added to read as follows
R112.4 Administration. The Building Official shall take immediate action in
accordance with the decision of the board, unless such decision is appealed to the
City Council.
15.79.080 Chapter 1. Division II, Section R113 "Violations ", Subsection R113.1 "Unlawful acts"
_- Amended. Subsection R113.1 of the 2022 California Residential Code is amended to read
as follows:
R113.1 Unlawful acts. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to
erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish,
equip, use occupy or maintain any building or structure or cause or permit the same to
be done in violation of this code.
Violation of any provision of this code shall be punishable as a misdemeanor
and shall carry the penalties as prescribed in Chapter 1.20 of the National City
Municipal Code.
15.79.082 Section R202 "Definitions," "Building Existing" -Amended.
Section R202 Definitions "Building, Existing" of the 2025 California Residential Code
is amended to read:
R202 Building, Existing. An "existing building" is a building erected prior to the
adoption of the 2025 California Residential Code, or one for which a legal building
permit has been issued. If more than fifty -percent of a structural roof or more than fifty -
percent of all exterior walls are removed as part of a project, the building is not an
existing building.
15.79.085 Chapter 1, Division II, Section R319 "Site Addresses ", Subsection R319.1
"Address Identification" - Amended. Subsection R319.1 of the 2025 California
Residential Code is amended to read as follows:
R319.1 Address Identification. Every principal building or structure within the
incorporated limits of the City of National City shall be identified by a designated street
number as issued by the National City Fire Department.
Approved numbers or addresses shall be placed on all new and existing
buildings, adjacent to the principal entrance to the premises or at a point that is highly
visible and legible from the street. If necessary, directional signs shall be posted
showing proper access to the given address from a point where the Fire Department
access roadway leaves the dedicated street to the entrance of each addressed
building. All such numbers shall be Arabic numerals or alphabetical letters and shall
be a minimum of 4 inches (102mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inches
(12.7mm), and shall be placed on a contrasting background.
15.72.090 Chapter 1, Division II, Section R902 "Fire Classification", Subsection
R902.1.3 "Roof Coverings in all other areas" - Amended. Subsection R902.1.3 of the 2025
California Residential Code is amended to read as follows:
R902.1.3 Roof Coverings in all other areas. The entire roof covering of every
existing structure where more than fifty percent (50%) of the total roof area is replaced
within any one- year period, the entire roof covering of every new structure, and any
roof covering applied in the alteration, repair or replacement of the roof of every
existing structure, shall be a fire -retardant roof covering that is at least Class B.
15.79.095 Plan review fees. Where a plan or other data is required to be submitted in
accordance with Section 104.3.2, a plan review fee shall be paid at the time of submitting
construction documents for review. The plan review fees shall be assessed in accordance
with the current City of National City Fee Schedule. The plan review fees specified in this
subsection are separate fees from the permit fees.
Where plans are incomplete or changes so as to require additional plan review, an
additional plan review fee shall be charged in accordance with the current City of national City
Fee Schedule.
Section 4. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days from the
date of its passage, and before the expiration of fifteen (15) days after its passage, it or a
summary of it, shall be published once, with the names of the members of the City Council
voting for and against the same in the Star News, a newspaper of general circulation published
in the County of San Diego, California.
INTRODUCED this 4th day of November, 2025.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 18th day of November, 2025.
Ron Morrison, Mayor
ATTEST:
r
/ heIIey el, MMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Barry J. z, City Attorney
Passed and adopted by the Council of the City of National City, California, on November
18, 2025 by the following vote, to -wit:
Ayes: Molina, Rodriguez, Yamane, Bush, Morrison
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
AUTHENTICATED BY: Ron Morrison
Mayor of the City of National City, California
Shelley Chapel
City Clerk of the
City of National City, California
By: / ,
City er
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance was not finally adopted until seven
calendar days had elapsed between the day of its introduction and the day of its final
passage, to wit, on November 4, 2025 and on November 18, 2025.
I FURTHER CERTIFY THAT said Ordinance was read in full prior to its final passage or
that the reading of said Ordinance in full was dispensed with by a vote of not less than a
majority of the members elected to the Council and that there was available for the
consideration of each member of the Council and the public prior to the day of its
passage a written or printed copy of said Ordinance.
I FURTHER CERTIFY that the above and foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-2552 of the City Council of the City of National City, passed
and adopted by the Council of said City on November 18, 2025.
Shelley Chapel
City Clerk of the
City of National City, California
By
City C r