Pasadena enforces 2025 CBC, T24 Pt 2 based on 2024 IBC with 2 local amendments on top (Ord. 7461). The amendments are the part that gets sets corrected. The state edition is only the floor. Pasadena sits in Los Angeles County.
Current edition
2025 Title 24
Prior edition
2022 Title 24
Edition changeover: Projects with a complete application on or before 2025-12-31 may still be reviewed under the 2022 Title 24.
Adopted code and local amendments by discipline
Adopted code editions and local amendments by discipline
Discipline
Adopted code
Local amendment
Building
2025 CBC, T24 Pt 2 based on 2024 IBC
Pasadena local amendments, Ord. 7461Local text supersedes the state code
Residential
2025 CRC, T24 Pt 2.5 based on 2024 IRC
n/a
Existing buildings
2025 CEBC, T24 Pt 10 based on 2024 IEBC
n/a
Fire
2025 CFC, T24 Pt 9 based on 2024 IFC
n/a
Electrical
2025 CEC, T24 Pt 3 based on 2023 NEC
n/a
Mechanical
2025 CMC, T24 Pt 4 based on 2024 UMC
n/a
Plumbing
2025 CPC, T24 Pt 5 based on 2024 UPC
n/a
Energy
2025 Energy Code, T24 Pt 6
n/a
Green / sustainability
2025 CALGreen, T24 Pt 11
n/a
Accessibility
2025 CBC Ch 11A/11B, T24 Pt 2
n/a
Wildland-urban interface
2025 CA-WUIC, T24 Pt 7 based on 2024 IWUIC
n/a
Historical buildings
2025 CHBC, T24 Pt 8
n/a
Administrative
2025 CAC, T24 Pt 1
n/a
Zoning
No state-adopted code
Local zoning ordinance (city or county), subject to state preemptionLocal text supersedes the state code
What Pasadena actually amended
Quoted from the adopted ordinance. These are the provisions that differ from the state code, which is where most correction lists come from. Excerpts, not the whole ordinance. Follow the source link for the full text.
14.03.160 · Connection to Service Utilities
A. Energy Connections: Persons shall not make connections from a utility, source of
energy, fuel or power to any building, structure, or system service equipment that
is regulated by this code and for which a permit is required by this code, until
approved in writing by the building official.
B. Temporary Connection: The building official shall have the authority to authorize
the temporary connection of the building or system service equipment to the
utility source of energy for the purpose of testing building service equipment, or
for use under a temporary certificate of occupancy, provided a cash performance
deposit is made. […]
14.04.024 · Construction Site Fencing
Whenever a building permit is issued to construct, add or alter to a building or site,
the installation of perimeter temporary fencing shall be required.
The installation of temporary fencing shall be required for the following projects:
1.
Project involve grading, trenching or excavation activities.
2.
The construction area is visible from the public right-of-way with the exception
of roof replacement, window change-outs with no framing work.
3.
There is outside storage of building materials, equipment, construction
materials or equipment stored at the front of the property.
4.
The property is vacant during the duration of the construction.
5.
As determined by the Building Official. […]
14.04.110
Section 1505.1 of the 2022 Edition of the California Building Code is amended to read as follows.
General. Roof assemblies shall be divided into the classes defined in this section.
Class A, B and C roof assemblies and roof coverings required to be listed by this
section shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E108 or UL 790. In addition, fire-
retardant-treated wood roof coverings shall be tested in accordance with ASTM D 2898.
The minimum roof coverings installed on buildings shall comply with Table 1505.1
based on the type of construction of the building. All roof assemblies and roof coverings
shall be of not less than Class B. […]
14.28.010 · California Fire Code adopted
Except as otherwise provided for in the chapter by specific provision, the minimum
standards, provisions, and requirements for the safe construction and maintenance of
property, facilities, conditions, materials, equipment, fire prevention and alarms
systems, and the general supervision thereof for the purpose of combating and control
of fire and fire hazard and abatement same within the corporate limits of the city shall be
in accordance with the provisions and in the manner prescribed by the California Fire.
Code, 2022 edition (California Fire Code) in its entirety, as published by the
International Code Council. […]
14.28.470 · Section B105.2 of Appendix B of the 2022 California Fire Code titled
"Buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings, Group R-3 and R-4
buildings and townhouses" is amended to read as follows.
B105.2 Buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings, Group R-3 and R-4
buildings and townhouses. The minimum fire-flow and flow duration for buildings other
than one- and two-family dwellings, Group R-3 and R-4 buildings and townhouses shall
be as specified in Tables B105.2 and B105.1(2).
Exception: [SFM] Group B, S-2 and U occupancies having a floor area not
exceeding 1,000 square feet, primarily constructed of noncombustible exterior walls with
wood or steel roof framing, having a Class A roof assembly, with uses limited to the
following or similar uses:
1. […]
903.2.18
Group U detached and attached private garages, carports, and similar structures accessory to Group R-3 occupancies.
Carports with habitable space above and attached garages, accessory to Group
R-3 occupancies, shall be protected by residential fire sprinklers in accordance
with this section. When an automatic fire sprinkler system is required in
accordance with sections 903.1.2 and 903.2, carports without habitable space
above, detached garages, and similar attached and detached structures,
accessory to R-3 occupancies, shall be protected by residential fire sprinklers in
accordance with this section. […]
907.2
Where required - buildings and structures. An approved fire alarm system installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72 shall be provided
in new buildings and structures in accordance with Sections 907.2.1 through 907.2.29
and provide occupant notification in accordance with Section 907.5, unless other
requirements are provided by another section of this code.
Not fewer than one manual fire alarm box shall be provided in an approved location to
initiate a fire alarm signal for fire alarm systems employing automatic fire detectors or
waterflow detection devices. […]
1809.7 · Prescriptive footings for light-frame construction
[OSHPD 1R, 2 & 5] Not permitted by OSHPD. Where a specific design is not
provided, concrete or masonry-unit footings supporting walls of light-frame
construction shall be permitted to be designed in accordance with Table 1809.7.
Light-frame construction using prescriptive footings in Table 1809.7 shall not
exceed one story above grade plane for structures assigned to Seismic Design
Category D, E or F.
TABLE 1809.7
PRESCRIPTIVE FOOTINGS SUPPORTING WALLS OF
LIGHT-FRAME CONSTRUCTION a, b, c, d, e
NUMBER OF FLOORS SUPPORTED
BY THE FOOTING f
WIDTH OF FOOTING
(inches)
THICKNESS OF
FOOTING (inches)
1
12
6
2
15
6
3
18
8
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm
a. […]
1905.1.7
ACI 318, Section 14.1.4. Delete ACI 318, Section 14.1.4, and replace with the following:
14.1.4 - Plain concrete in structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E
or F.
14.1.4.1 - Structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F shall not
have elements of structural plain concrete, except as follows:
(a) Concrete used for fill with a minimum cement content of two (2) sacks of
Portland cement or cementious material per cubic yard.
(b) Isolated footings of plain concrete supporting pedestals or columns are
permitted, provided the projection of the footing beyond the face of the
supported member does not exceed the footing thickness. […]
3115.8.5.3
Allowable shear value. The allowable shear values for the profiled steel panel side walls (longitudinal) and end walls (transverse) for wind design and seismic
design using the coefficients of Section 3115.8.5.2 shall be in accordance with Table
3115.8.5.3, provided that all of the following conditions are met:
1.
The total linear length of all openings in any individual side walls or end walls
shall be limited to not more than 50 percent of the length of that side walls or
end walls, as shown in Figure 3115.8.5.3(1).
2. […]
Mapped hazard and district overlays stack on top of the adopted code. These are the overlays recorded for Los Angeles County. They apply by parcel, not jurisdiction-wide, so confirm the parcel before assuming one is in play. Check CAL FIRE's fire hazard severity viewer and FEMA's flood map service.
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
FEMA mapped flood hazard area
State law that overrides local zoning here
When one of these applies, the state statute governs over a conflicting local standard. This is the most common reason a local rule someone quotes you turns out not to be enforceable against a project.
Gov. Code 66310 et seq.
State ADU law preempts local zoning that would preclude a conforming ADU/JADU.
Applies when: project includes an ADU or JADU
Gov. Code 65915
State Density Bonus Law concessions/waivers override local development standards.
Applies when: project requests a density bonus
Gov. Code 65852.21 / 66411.7
SB 9 urban lot split / two-unit ministerial approval preempts conflicting local standards.
Applies when: project is an SB 9 lot split or two-unit development
Pasadena enforces 2025 CBC, T24 Pt 2 based on 2024 IBC, the edition adopted statewide in California, amended locally in 2 disciplines (Ord. 7461).
Does Pasadena amend the California code?
Yes: building, zoning. For building, the rule is: local text supersedes the state code.
Where do I confirm the code edition for a Pasadena permit?
With the city building department that will review the permit. Adoption ordinances are amended on a local schedule, and a set submitted days apart can fall under different editions during a changeover.
Knowing the adopted edition is the easy half. Architechtura reads your drawings, resolves which of these provisions actually apply to the project, and returns the corrections a plan checker would write up, each one cited to the section it came from.
Compiled from published state and municipal adoption ordinances. Local governments amend their codes on their own schedule, and a pending ordinance can change what applies to your permit. Confirm the governing edition with the building department before you submit. This page is reference information, not a code determination.