Sierra Madre, California building code

Sierra Madre enforces 2025 CBC, T24 Pt 2 based on 2024 IBC with 2 local amendments on top (Ord. 1487 (building) + Ord. 1486 (fire/WUIC)). The amendments are the part that gets sets corrected. The state edition is only the floor. Sierra Madre 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
DisciplineAdopted codeLocal amendment
Building2025 CBC, T24 Pt 2 based on 2024 IBCSierra Madre local amendments, Ord. 1487 (building) + Ord. 1486 (fire/WUIC)Local text supersedes the state code
Residential2025 CRC, T24 Pt 2.5 based on 2024 IRCn/a
Existing buildings2025 CEBC, T24 Pt 10 based on 2024 IEBCn/a
Fire2025 CFC, T24 Pt 9 based on 2024 IFCn/a
Electrical2025 CEC, T24 Pt 3 based on 2023 NECn/a
Mechanical2025 CMC, T24 Pt 4 based on 2024 UMCn/a
Plumbing2025 CPC, T24 Pt 5 based on 2024 UPCn/a
Energy2025 Energy Code, T24 Pt 6n/a
Green / sustainability2025 CALGreen, T24 Pt 11n/a
Accessibility2025 CBC Ch 11A/11B, T24 Pt 2n/a
Wildland-urban interface2025 CA-WUIC, T24 Pt 7 based on 2024 IWUICn/a
Historical buildings2025 CHBC, T24 Pt 8n/a
Administrative2025 CAC, T24 Pt 1n/a
ZoningNo state-adopted codeLocal zoning ordinance (city or county), subject to state preemptionLocal text supersedes the state code

What Sierra Madre 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.

15.04.050 · Tents and canopies

15.04.050 Tents and canopies. The following provisions shall apply: A. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, put in place or maintain in place, within any portion of the city, any tent, tent-house, canvas-house or structure constructed of canvas, cloth, or other fabric; any canopy or canopy structure constructed of canvas, cloth or other fabric or material within a distance of one hundred feet from the front property line of any lot or subdivision of land within the city, or within twenty feet of any dwelling, house, building or other structure. B. Exceptions. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply as follows: 1. […]

15.04.070 · Stormwater retention

15.04.070 Stormwater retention. A. New development, after January 1, 2010, must incorporate design elements for: 1. Prevention of stormwater runoff onto pavements and other non- permeable areas; 2. Stormwater retention and reuse for irrigation of landscaped areas; and 3. Rooftop designs, rain gutters, and other stormwater retention designs that can be directed towards landscaped areas and thereby reuse the stormwater. B. The building department is authorized to withhold, deny or grant conditional approval to any application for a building permit which involves: 1. […]

15.04.080 · Temporary structure permits

15.04.080 Temporary structure permits. Temporary structure permits involving the construction of a residential structure upon an R-1 lot, upon which there is then located an existing dwelling unit or involving the relocation of a residential structure upon a residential lot upon which there is then located an existing dwelling unit, shall be issued by the building inspector only upon the condition that the applicant file a surety bond in the amount recommended by the city engineer guaranteeing the removal of such existing house within thirty days after occupancy of the dwelling unit to be so constructed or relocated. […]

903.2.1.5 · Group A-5. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group

903.2.1.5 Group A-5. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-5 occupancies in the following areas: concession stands, retail areas, press boxes, and other accessory use areas in accordance with Code section

903.2.3 · Group E. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all

903.2.3 Group E. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group E occupancy in accordance with Code section 15.24.120. (exception: For public school state-funded construction projects see

903.2.10 · Group S-2. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout

903.2.10 Group S-2. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings classified as enclosed parking garages in accordance with Section 406.6 of the California Building Code or where located beneath other groups.

903.2.10.1 · Commercial parking garages. An automatic sprinkler system shall be

903.2.10.1 Commercial parking garages. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings used for storage of commercial motor vehicles in accordance with Code section 15.24.120. 15.04.130 - Permit for landscape project. A. A written permit shall be obtained from the department of public works prior to development of landscapes as specified in Section 15.60.030. B. The director of public works shall issue a permit if the applicant has submitted the landscape documentation package as required by

Source: www.sierramadreca.gov

Overlays that can apply

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

Sources

Common questions

What building code does Sierra Madre use?

Sierra Madre enforces 2025 CBC, T24 Pt 2 based on 2024 IBC, the edition adopted statewide in California, amended locally in 2 disciplines (Ord. 1487 (building) + Ord. 1486 (fire/WUIC)).

Does Sierra Madre 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 Sierra Madre 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.

Nearby jurisdictions in Los Angeles County

Statewide

Check a plan set against Sierra Madre code

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.

Your first check is free, no card required.

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.