REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Introduction of Ordinance: 1) Amending Chapter 16.52 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code to Adopt by Reference the 2025 California Fire Code with Local Amendments and Related Findings; 2) Amending Chapter 20.10 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code with Local Amendments and Related Findings; and 3) Finding that the Action is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
Report
BACKGROUND
The International Fire Code (IFC) is a model fire code that regulates minimum fire safety requirements for new and existing buildings, facilities, storage and processes. The IFC is in use or adopted in 42 states and is published every three years by the International Code Council. In California, the California Building Standards Commission adopts the IFC with new statewide amendments every three years. This adopted code is known as the California Fire Code (CFC) and is found in Part 9 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. Title 24 is commonly referred to as the California Building Standards Code.
The State of California adopted the 2025 California Fire Code which will be effective in January 2026 and published the documents on July 1, 2025. All local jurisdictions are required to adopt this code with appropriate amendments by January 1, 2026 or accept by default the version adopted by the State. Local amendments to the CFC must be supported with findings that are based on unique local climatic, geologic and topographic conditions.
The amendments and revisions set forth here establish the requirements of the 2025 Fire Code for the City of Sunnyvale.
EXISTING POLICY
Sunnyvale General Plan - Safety and Noise Sub-Element
Goal SN-1, Acceptable Levels of Risk for Natural and Human-caused Hazards
Ensure that natural and human-caused hazards are recognized and considered in decisions affecting the community and that land uses reflect acceptable levels of risk based on identified hazards and occupancy.
Goal SN-3, Safe and Secure City
En...
Click here for full text