Pursuant to Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the state of California, there is adopted by reference by the city council, for the purpose of establishing minimum regulations for the construction of buildings utilizing concepts that encourage energy efficiency, water efficiency and conservation, material conservation and resource efficiency, and environmental air quality, that certain primary code known as the “California Green Building Code, 2025 Edition,” published by the International Code Council. This code is adopted by reference and incorporated as though fully set forth in the chapter and shall be designated and referred to as the “Green Building Code” of the city. Should there be a conflict between the California Green Building Code as adopted and other municipal requirements, the more restrictive shall govern.
(Ord. 1517 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1536 § 7, 2010; Ord. 1581 § 7, 2013; Ord. 1620 § 6, 2016; Ord. 1641 § 6, 2019; Ord. 1681, § 6, 2023; Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)
Subsection 4.106.4.5 of the California Green Building Code is added to read:
4.106.4.5. New One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Townhouses with Attached Private Garages. For each new dwelling unit and each existing dwelling unit approved for a major remodel, must install a listed raceway to accommodate a dedicated 208/240 branch circuit. The raceway shall not be less than trade size 1 (nominal one-inch inside diameter). The raceway shall originate at the main service or subpanel and shall terminate into a listed cabinet, box or other enclosure in close proximity to the proposed location of an EV charger. Raceways are required to be continuous at enclosed, inaccessible, or concealed areas and spaces. The service panel and/or subpanel shall provide capacity to install a 40-ampere 208/240-volt minimum dedicated branch circuit and space(s) reserved to permit installation of a branch circuit overcurrent protective device.
(Ord. 1681, § 6, 2023; Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)
Subsection 4.304.2 of the California Green, Building Code is added to read:
4.304.2 Irrigation controllers. Automatic irrigation system controllers for landscaping provided by the builder and installed at the time of final inspection shall comply with the following:
1. 
Controllers shall be weather-or soil moisture-based controllers that automatically adjust irrigation in response to changes in plants’ needs as weather conditions change.
2. 
Weather-based controllers without integral rain sensors or communication systems that account for local rainfall shall have a separate wired or wireless rain sensor which connects or communicates with the controller(s). Soil moisture-based controllers are not required to have rain sensor input.
(Ord. 1681, § 6, 2023; Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)
Subsection 4.503 of the California Green Building Code is amended to read as follows:
4.503.1. General. Any installed gas fireplace shall be a direct-vent sealed-combustion type. Any installed woodstove or pellet stove shall comply with U.S. EPA Phase II emission limits where applicable. Woodstoves, pellet stoves and fireplaces shall also comply with local ordinances.
4.503.2. Wood-burning fireplaces. Any “major remodel” to a single-family residence as defined in Section 25.08.024 of Title 25 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code, will require retrofit of any existing wood-burning fireplace to comply with U.S. EPA Phase II emission limits by using a qualified retrofit insert, converting the existing wood-burning fireplace to gas-only use or other approved device.
(Ord. 1587 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1620 § 6, 2016; Ord. 1641 § 6, 2019; Ord. 1681, § 6, 2023; Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)