Santa Clara enforces 2025 CBC, T24 Pt 2 based on 2024 IBC with 3 local amendments on top (Ord. 2081, Ord. 2079). The amendments are the part that gets sets corrected. The state edition is only the floor. Santa Clara sits in Santa Clara 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
City of Santa Clara 2025 Building Code, Ord. 2081 (adopted 2025-11-04, eff. 2026-01-01; SCCC Title 15 Ch. 15.15; publisher ecode360 SA4626)Stricter of state or local governs
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
City of Santa Clara 2025 Fire Code Amendments, Ord. 2079Stricter of state or local governs
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 Santa Clara 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.
1.2
Where there is evidence suitable to the local enforcing agency substantiating that additional local utility infrastructure
design requirements, directly related to the implementation of
Section 4.106.4, may adversely impact the construction cost
of the project.
2. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling
Units (JADU) without additional parking facilities, and without
electrical panel upgrade or new panel installation. ADUs and
JADUs without additional parking but with electrical panel upgrades
or new panels must have reserved breakers and electrical capacity
according to the requirements of 4.106.4.1.
3. […]
15.60.120 · Section 202 — General definitions
California Fire Code Section 202 definition is hereby added to read:
Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA). The City of Santa Clara Fire
Department has been designated the Certified Program Agency by the State of
California Environmental Protection Agency’s (CalEPA). The CUPA protects
Californians from hazardous waste and hazardous materials by ensuring
consistency throughout the state regarding the implementation of administrative
requirements, permits, inspections, and enforcement at the local regulatory level.
California Fire Code Section 202 definition is hereby amended to read:
Corrosive liquid. Corrosive liquid is:
1. […]
15.60.430 · Appendix D – Minimum specifications
California Fire Code Section D103.3 is hereby amended to read:
D103.3 Turning radius. The required turning radius of a fire apparatus access roads
shall be a minimum of 30 inside, and a minimum of 50 outside.
California Fire Code Section D103.4 is hereby amended to read:
D103.4 Dead ends. Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet (45
720 mm) shall be provided with width and turnaround provisions in accordance
with Table D103.4, as approved by the fire code official. […]
505.1
Address identification. New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification. The illuminated 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 6 inches (153 mm) high
with a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch (12.7 mm). Where required by the fire
code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved
locations to facilitate emergency response. […]
903.2
Where required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new and existing buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in this Section or
Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.12 whichever is the more restrictive and Sections
903.2.14 through 903.2.21.
For the purposes of this section, firewalls and fire barriers used to separate building
areas shall comply with the California Building Code and shall have no openings or
penetrations.
1. New Buildings and Structures: An automatic sprinkler system shall be
installed throughout all new buildings and structures greater than 1,200
square feet. […]
3307.1
Required access. Approved vehicle access for firefighting shall be provided to all construction or demolition sites. Vehicle access shall be provided to within 100
feet (30 480 mm) of temporary or permanent fire department connections. Vehicle
access shall be provided by either temporary or permanent roads, capable of
supporting vehicle loading under all weather conditions. Vehicle access shall be
maintained until permanent fire apparatus access roads are available.
All construction sites shall be accessible by fire department apparatus by means of
roadways having an all-weather driving service of not less than 20ft. of
unobstructed width prior to the beginning of vertical construction. […]
3313.2
Fire protection. All wood frame construction projects exceeding three stories in height, except R-3 occupancies, shall be provided with a listed fire alarm
system during construction. The fire alarm system shall be monitored by a listed
monitoring company. A permit for the installation and subsequent modifications of
the system are required. The design and installation shall comply with the fire
department’s standards.
Ordinance/Adoption of 2025 California Fire Code
Page 34 of 58
Rev: 09-2025
3313.3. Construction site security. […]
5003.2.2.1
Design and Construction. Piping, tubing, valves, fittings and related components used for hazardous materials shall be in accordance with the following:
Ordinance/Adoption of 2025 California Fire Code
Page 39 of 58
Rev: 09-2025
1. Piping, tubing, valves, fittings and related components shall be designed and
fabricated from materials compatible with the material to be contained and shall
be of adequate strength and durability to withstand the pressure, structural and
seismic stress, and exposure to which they are subject.
2. Piping and tubing shall be identified in accordance with ASME A13.1 to indicate
the material conveyed and direction of flow.
3. […]
5003.2.2.2 · Additional Regulation for Supply Piping for Health Hazard Materials
Supply piping and tubing for gases and liquids having a health hazard ranking of 3 or 4
shall be in accordance with ASME B31.3 and the following:
1.
Piping and tubing utilized for the transmission of toxic, highly toxic, or highly
volatile corrosive liquids and gases shall have welded or brazed connections
throughout except for connections within an exhausted enclosure if the material is
a gas, or an approved method of drainage or containment is provided for
connections if the material is a liquid.
2. […]
17958.5 · AND 18941.5 OF THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND
Reach Code Ordinance 2081
City Council October 21, 2025
Page 1 of 17
RESOLUTION NO. 25-9502
AN RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA,
CALIFORNIA, MAKING FINDINGS REQUIRED BY SECTIONS
SAFETY CODE JUSTYFING CERTAIN LOCAL MODIFICATIONS
TO THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE AND THE 2025
CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE TO
INCREASE
BUILDING
EFFICIENCY
AND
INCREASE
REQUIREMENTS
RELATED
TO
ELECTRIC
VEHICLE
CHARGING STATIONS
WHEREAS, Santa Clara's Climate Action Plan, first adopted in 2013, includes strategies to
reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and in 2022 was updated to further strengthen
emissions reductions;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 17922, 17958, 17958.5, 17958.7 and 18941.5 of… […]
Mapped hazard and district overlays stack on top of the adopted code. These are the overlays recorded for Santa Clara 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
Santa Clara enforces 2025 CBC, T24 Pt 2 based on 2024 IBC, the edition adopted statewide in California, amended locally in 3 disciplines (Ord. 2081, Ord. 2079).
Does Santa Clara amend the California code?
Yes: building, fire, zoning. For building, the rule is: stricter of state or local governs.
Where do I confirm the code edition for a Santa Clara 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.