For City Council Meeting October 28, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Chris Jensen, Acting Fire Chief/ Fire Marshal
Title
Request City Council to Conduct the Public Hearing and Introduce the First Reading of Ordinance No. 1706, entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIALTO, CALIFORNIA, DELETED IN ITS ENTIRETY TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.28, OF THE RIALTO MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT A NEW TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.28 ADOPTING AND AMENDING THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE INCLUDING APPENDIX A, B, C, D, H, I, J, N and P, FEES, FINES, AND PENALTIES, AND THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 19 AND 24 AND OTHER RELATED STANDARDS AS INDICATED IN CHAPTER 80 - REFERENCED STANDARDS.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Request that the City Council introduce the first reading of an Ordinance to Adopt by Reference the 2025 California Fire Code, certain appendices, and certain amendments, deletions, and additions, and deleting Chapter 15.28 of the Rialto Municipal Code and adding a new Chapter 15.28 of the Rialto Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND
On October 14, 2025, the City Council approved the request to set a Public Hearing for October 28, 2025, for a consideration to adopt an Ordinance Adopting by Reference the 2025 California Fire Code and certain appendices, amendments, deletions, and additions, and deleting Chapter 15.28 of the Rialto Municipal Code and adding a new Chapter 15.28 of the Rialto Municipal code.
This is the routine triannual update of the California Fire Code. The proposed Ordinance adopts the latest version of the California Code of Regulations Title 24 Part 9 fire code: specifically, the 2025 California Fire Code with local amendments, and the 2024 International Fire Code. This public hearing is the first reading of the Ordinance adopting the 2025 California Fire Code and the 2024 International Fire Code by reference, per Government Code Sections 50022.1 through 50022.11.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
California Code of Regulations Title 24 Part 9, the California Fire Code, is published on a three-year cycle. The California Building Standards Commission publishes the triannual code and State law mandates that this code become effective throughout California 180 days after the publication date. This is done to foster uniformity in fire prevention and construction standards statewide. Local jurisdictions are permitted to amend the published codes based on local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions. The proposed ordinance contains local amendments, deletions, and additions that have been carried over from previous years. An update to the City Municipal Code contains amendments that reflect revised code sections of the California Fire Code. The proposed Ordinance is included as Attachment 1 of this report.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed actions do not constitute a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(b), a project does not include organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The proposed adoption is consistent with the following goals of the 2010 Rialto General Plan:
Goal 5-3: Increase the City’s fire protection capabilities and implement fire prevention regulations and standards that minimize potential fire hazards and fire losses.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed this staff report and Ordinance and approved them as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
The adoption of the California Fire Code has no impact on the City’s General Fund.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
Approval of this action does not require a Business License application and payment of a Business License tax.
ATTACHMENTS
1. ORDINANCE
2. Attachment A