Planning director: Tiburon taking first reading to adopt 2025 state building code and new energy/EV readiness standards

Yiltoft, the interim planning director, briefed the Design Review Board that at the Nov. 19 city council meeting the council conducted a first reading to adopt the 2025 state building code by reference and to carry forward local amendments that apply to Tiburon ("This year is the 2025 building code, and we're in the process of adopting that code by reference.") (SEG 041–049).

The interim director said the town will maintain some local amendments — including those that preserve heightened review for items that are sometimes exempted under the code — and will adopt new energy/code standards incorporating CalGreen tier‑1 elements and an EV readiness requirement tied to electric panel change‑outs. Staff told the board final adoption is anticipated at the Dec. 3 council meeting, with an effective date shortly thereafter in early January (SEG 070–075).

Planning staff cautioned that ministerial ADU allowances set by state law do not automatically remove floor area from local calculations and that local agencies retain discretion about combining ADU allowances with overall lot floor‑area totals.

Next step: council adoption expected Dec. 3; the town will publish implementing regulations and update building permit checklists to reflect CalGreen and EV readiness requirements.