MEETING DATE:
NOVEMBER 10, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
ORDINANCE NOS. 2025-1569 & 2025-1570 - AMENDING SAN MARCOS MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 17.64 TO ADOPT THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE AND DECLARING LOCAL CONDITIONS TO AMEND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE SAME, AND ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE AND THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE CODE AND DECLARING LOCAL CONDITIONS TO AMEND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE SAME TO BE THE SAN MARCOS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE CODE
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
1. INTRODUCE (First Reading) an ordinance amending San Marcos Municipal Code Chapter 17.64 to adopt the 2025 California Fire Code, and declaring local conditions to amend the same.
2. INTRODUCE (First Reading) an ordinance adopting the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code and the International Wildland Urban Interface Code ,and declaring local conditions to amend the same to be the San Marcos Fire Protection District Wildland Interface Code
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Board or Commission Action
Not Applicable
Executive Summary
The City of San Marcos is required to adopt and enforce the codes adopted by the State of California, together with other cities and counties in California. The California Health and Safety Code also requires cities and counties to adopt an ordinance when they add local amendments to the codes.
Discussion
The City of San Marcos (City) and San Marcos Fire Protection District (District) periodically amend the San Marcos Municipal Code (SMMC) to adopt the most recent versions of the California Fire Code (Fire Code) and related standards. The State of California issues updates to the California Fire Code every three years; this process was completed on July 1, 2025. Similarly, the California Wildland Urban Interface Code was updated in 2025.
The San Marcos Fire Protection District collaborates with the County of San Diego and the other Fire Protection Districts in the County to determine local amendments to the California Fire Code to address local conditions. The County has proposed the revised 2026 San Diego County Consolidated Fire Code to reflect the changes to the California Fire Code and other minor additional changes. Certain chapters (Building Code Requirements and Defensible Space) of the San Diego County Consolidated Fire Code have now been reorganized into the new 2026 San Diego County Wildland Urban Interface Fire Code, and some minor revisions have been proposed. This item will be heard by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in late January 2026.
To ensure that the regulations of the City and the District are consistent with the proposed 2026 San Diego County Consolidated Fire Code and the 2026 San Diego County Wildland Urban Interface Fire Code, amendments to Chapter 17.64 of the SMMC are needed, as well as the incorporation of factors addressing local conditions. Additionally, the 2025 California Wildland Urban Interface Code and 2024 International Wildland Urban Interface Code with amendments addressing local conditions are proposed for adoption and this will be the San Marcos Fire Protection District Wildland Urban Interface Code.
Approval of the proposed Ordinance amending SMMC Chapter 17.64 will adopt the current 2025 edition of the California Fire Code and related standards for use within the City/District. The last SMMC modification by the City/District was the 2022 edition.
Approval of the other proposed Ordinance would adopt the 2025 California Wildland Urban Interface Code and 2024 International Wildland Urban Interface Code and related standards for use within the City/District.
Environmental Review
The proposed action does not constitute a “project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Sections 15000 - 15387), and is therefore not subject to environmental review pursuant to Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3).
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact involved in the adoption of the proposed Ordinances.
Attachment(s)
1. Ordinance amending Chapter 17.64 of the San Marcos Municipal Code
2. SMMC Chapter 17.64 with Proposed Amendments Reflected in Redline/Strikeout
3. Ordinance adopting the 2025 California Wildland Urban Interface Code and 2024 International Wildland Urban Interface Code with amendments to address local conditions
4. San Marcos Fire Protection District Wildland Urban Interface Code incorporating local amendments
Prepared by: Jason Nailon, Division Chief/Fire Marshal
Submitted by: Heather Todd, Fire/EMS Administrative Services Manager
Reviewed by: Dan Barron, Fire Chief
Approved by: Michelle Bender, City Manager