Except as provided in this chapter, those certain building codes known and designated as the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, and only Appendix CI, based on the 2024 International Residential Code as published by the International Code Council, shall become the Residential Code of the city for regulating the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area and maintenance of residential buildings and/or structures in the city. The California Residential Code and Appendix CI will be on file for public examination in the office of the building official.
(Ord. 2629, 11/12/2025)
Chapter 2 Definitions is adopted in its entirety with the following amendment:
Section 202 Definitions is hereby revised by adding "OCFA" and "Spark Arrester" as follows:
OCFA:
Orange County Fire Authority, authority having jurisdiction.
SPARK ARRESTER.
A listed device constructed of noncombustible material specifically for the purpose of meeting one of the following conditions:
A. 
Removing and retaining carbon and other flammable particles/debris from the exhaust flow of an internal combustion engine in accordance with California Vehicle Code Section 38366.
B. 
Fireplaces that burn solid fuel in accordance with California Building Code Chapter 28.
(Ord. 2629, 11/12/2025)
Table R301.2 climatic and geographic design criteria is revised to read:
TABLE R301.2 CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA
Ground snow loado
WIND DESIGN
Seismic design categoryf
SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM
Ice barrier under-layment requiredh
Flood hazardsg
Air freezing indexi
Mean annual tempj
Speedd
(mph)
Topo. effectsk
Special wind regionl
Windborne debris zonem
Weatheringa
Frost line depthb
Termitec
Zero
95
No
No
No
D2 or E
Negligible
12-24"
Very Heavy
No
Yes/No
0
60
MANUAL J DESIGN CRITERIAn
Elevation
Altitude correction factore
Coincident wet bulb
Indoor winter design dry-bulb temperature
Indoor winter design dry-bulb temperature
Outdoor winter design dry-bulb temperature
Heating temperature difference
305
70
75
—
34
Latitude
Daily range
Indoor summer design relative humidity
Indoor summer design relative humidity
Indoor summer design dry-bulb temperature
Outdoor summer design dry-bulb temperature
Cooling temperature difference
34
27
—
—
89
For SI: 1 pound per square foot = 0.0479 kPa, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s.
a.
Where weathering requires a higher strength concrete or grade of masonry than necessary to satisfy the structural requirements of this code, the frost line depth strength required for wreathing shall govern. The weathering column shall be filled in with the weathering index, "negligible," "moderate" or "severe" for concrete as determined from Figure R301.2(1). The grade of masonry units shall be determined from ASTM C34, ASTM C55, ASTM C62, ASTM C73, ASTM C90, ASTM C129, ASTM C145, ASTM C216 or ASTM C652.
b.
Where the frost line depth requires deeper footings than indicated in Figure R403.1(1), the frost line depth strength required for weathering shall govern. The jurisdiction shall fill in the frost line depth column with the minimum depth of footing below finish grade.
c.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table to indicate the need for protection depending on whether there has been a history of local subterranean termite damage.
d.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the wind speed from the ultimate design wind speed map [Figure R301.2(2)]. Wind exposure category shall be determined on a site-specific basis in accordance with Section R301.2.1.4.
e.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this section of the table to establish the design criteria using Table 10A from ACCA Manual J or established criteria determined by the jurisdiction.
f.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the seismic design category determined from Section R301.2.2.1.
g.
See City's FIRM maps for Flood Hazard Locations.
h.
In accordance with Sections R905.1.2, R905.4.3.1, R905.5.3.1, R905.6.3.1, R905.7.3.1 and R905.8.3.1, where there has been a history of local damage from the effects of ice damming, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "YES." Otherwise, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "NO."
i.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the 100-year return period air freezing index (BF-days) from Figure R403.3(2) or from the 100-year (99 percent) value on the National Climatic Data Center data table "Air Freezing Index-USA Method (Base 32°F)."
j.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the mean annual temperature from the National Climatic Data Center data table "Air Freezing Index-USA Method (Base 32°F)."
k.
In accordance with Section R301.2.1.5, where there is local historical data documenting structural damage to buildings due to topographic wind speed-up effects, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "YES." Otherwise, the jurisdiction shall indicate "NO" in this part of the table.
l.
In accordance with Figure R301.2(2), where there is local historical data documenting unusual wind conditions, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "YES" and identify any specific requirements. Otherwise, the jurisdiction shall indicate "NO" in this part of the table.
m.
In accordance with Section R301.2.1.2 the jurisdiction shall indicate the wind-borne debris wind zone(s). Otherwise, the jurisdiction shall indicate "NO" in this part of the table.
n.
The jurisdiction shall fill in these sections of the table to establish the design criteria using Table 1a or 1b from ACCA Manual J or established criteria determined by the jurisdiction.
o.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this section of the allowable stress design table using the Ground Snow Loads in Figure R301.2(3).
Section R308 Site Address is hereby revised to read as follows:
R308.1 Address Identification. New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification. The address identification shall be legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address identification characters shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be not less than 4 inches in height with a stroke width of not less than 0.5 inch. Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road and the building address cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained.
Section R309.3.6.2.2 Calculation procedure is hereby revised to read as follows:
Section R309.3.6.2.2 Calculation procedure. Determination of the required size for water distribution piping shall be in accordance with the following procedure and California Fire Code Section 903.3.5.3.
(The remainder of the section is unchanged)
(Ord. 2629, 11/12/2025)
Section R405.1 Concrete or masonry foundations is modified by deleting the exception to read as follows:
. . . not less than one sieve size larger than the tile joint opening or perforation and covered with not less than 6 inches of the same material.
(Ord. 2629, 11/12/2025)
Section R902.1 is amended by revising it to allow only class A or B roofs as follows:
R902.1 Roofing assemblies. Roof decks shall be covered with materials as set forth in Sections R904 or with roof coverings as set forth in section R905. A minimum Class A or B roofing shall be installed in areas designated by this section or where the edge of the roof deck is less than 3 feet (914 mm) from a lot line. Where classes A or B roof assemblies are required, they shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E108 or UL 790. Where required, the roof assembly shall be listed and identified as to class by an approved testing agency.
Exceptions:
1.
Class A roof assemblies include those with coverings of brick, masonry and exposed concrete roof deck.
2.
Class A roof assemblies also include ferrous or copper shingles or sheets, metal sheets and shingles, clay or concrete roof tile, or slate installed on non-combustible roof decks or ferrous, copper or metal sheets installed without a roof deck on noncombustible framing.
Section R902.1.2 is amended by revising it to require a minimum Class B roof as follows:
R902.1.2 Roof coverings in all other areas other than Fire Hazard Severity Zones or a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) area. The entire roof covering of every existing structure where more than 50 percent 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 fire classification.
Section R902.2, first paragraph is amended by revising it to allow only Class A or B treated wood roofs as follows:
R902.2 Fire-retardant-treated shingles and shakes. Fire-retardant-treated wood shakes and shingles are wood shakes and shingles complying with UBC Standard 15-3 or 15-4 which are impregnated by the full-cell vacuum-pressure process with fire-retardant chemicals, and which have been qualified by UBC Standard 15-2 or ASTM E108 or UL790 for use on Class A or B roofs.
(Ord. 2629, 11/12/2025)
Chimneys and Fireplaces is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:
Section R1001.14 Outdoor Fireplaces, Fire Pits, Fire Rings, or similar devices is hereby added as follows:
R1001.14 Outdoor Fireplaces, Fire Pits, Fire Rings, or similar devices. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings, or similar exterior devices shall comply with this section.
Exception: Barbeques, grills, and other portable devices intended solely for cooking
Section R1001.14.1 Gas-fueled devices is hereby added as follows:
R1001.14.1 Gas-fueled devices. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and similar devices fueled by natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas are allowed when approved by the Building Department and the device is designed to only burn a gas flame and not wood or other solid fuel. At R-3 occupancies, combustible construction shall not be located within three feet of an atmospheric column that extends vertically from the perimeter of the device. Where a permanent Building Department approved hood and vent is installed, combustible construction may encroach upon this column between the bottom of the hood and the vent opening. Where chimneys or vents are installed, they shall have a spark arrester in accordance with Section R1003.9.2.
Section R1001.14.2 Devices using wood or fuels other than natural gas or liquefied- petroleum gas is hereby added as follows:
R1001.14.2 Devices using wood or fuels other than natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas. Fireplaces burning wood or other solid fuel shall be constructed in accordance with Section R1001. Fires in a fireplace shall be contained within a firebox with an attached chimney. The opening in the face of the firebox shall have an installed and maintained method of arresting sparks. The burning of wood or other solid fuel in a device is not allowed within 15 feet of combustible structures, unless within a permanent or portable fireplace. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure or to vegetation shall be eliminated prior to ignition. Fires in devices burning wood or solid fuel shall be in accordance with CFC Sections 305, 307, and 308.
Section R1001.14.3 Devices using wood or fuels other than natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas is hereby added as follows:
R1001.14.3 Where prohibited. The burning of wood and other solid fuels shall not be conducted within a fuel modification zone, Wildfire Risk Areas (WRA), Wildland Urban Interface Area (WUI), or in locations where conditions could cause the spread of fire to the WRA or WUI.
Exceptions:
1.
Permanent fireplaces that are not located in a fuel modification zone
2.
Where determined by the Fire Code Official that the location or design of the device should reasonably prevent the start of a wildfire.
(Ord. 2629, 11/12/2025)
Chapter 44 Referenced Standards is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:
NFPA 13, 2025 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems is hereby amended as follows:
Section 16.12.3.3 is hereby revised as follows:
16.12.3.3 Fire department connections (FDC) shall be of an approved type. The location shall be approved and be no more than 150 feet from a public hydrant. The FDC may be located within 150 feet of a private fire hydrant when approved by the fire code official. The size of piping and the number of 2 1/2" inlets shall be approved by the fire code official. If acceptable to the water authority, it may be installed on the backflow assembly. Fire department inlet connections shall be painted OSHA safety red or as approved. When the fire sprinkler density design requires more than 500 gpm (including inside hose stream demand), or a standpipe system is included, four 2 1/2" inlets shall be provided.
Section 9.4.3.1 is hereby revised as follows:
9.4.3.1 When fire sprinkler systems are installed in shell buildings of undetermined use (Spec Buildings) other than warehouses (S occupancies), fire sprinklers of the quick-response type shall be used. Use is considered undetermined if a specific tenant/occupant is not identified at the time the fire sprinkler plan is submitted. Sprinklers in light hazard occupancies shall be one of the following:
(2)
Quick-response type as defined in 3.6.4.8
(3)
Residential sprinklers in accordance with the requirements of 8.4.5
(4)
Quick response CMSA sprinklers
(5)
ESFR sprinklers
(6)
Standard-response sprinklers used for modifications or additions to existing light hazard systems equipped with standard-response sprinklers
(7)
Standard-response sprinklers used where individual standard-response sprinklers are replaced in existing light hazard systems
Section 9.2.1.7 is hereby revised as follows:
9.2.1.7 Concealed spaces filled with noncombustible insulation shall not require sprinkler protection when approved by fire code official.
NFPA 13D 2025 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes is hereby amended as follows:
Section 7.1.2 is hereby revised as follows:
7.1.2 The sprinkler system piping shall not have separate control valves installed unless supervised by a central station, proprietary, or remote station alarm service.
(Ord. 2629, 11/12/2025)
Appendix CI, amend Section 115922 (a) as follows:
Except as provided in Section 115925, when a building permit is issued for the construction of a new swimming pool or spa or the remodeling of an existing swimming pool or spa at a private single-family home, the respective swimming pool or spa shall be equipped with item #1 below AND at least one additional following seven drowning prevention features:
Appendix CI, amend Section 115922 (a)(1) as follows:
A. 
An enclosure that meets the requirements of Section 115923 and isolates the swimming pool and spa from the private single-family home. Any walls of the residential structure or accessory structures used to complete the isolation enclosure must have door openings equipped with protection as required in Section 115922(a)(4) or (5). Any such door protection device provided for this purpose may not be used to comply with the second drowning prevention feature requirement.
(Ord. 2629, 11/12/2025)