The Hermosa Beach City Council voted Dec. 9 to adopt an urgency ordinance that brings local rules into alignment with the 2025 California Building Standards Code and adopts the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code with local amendments.

Staff told the council the state updates the model codes every three years and local adoption is required to maintain the city's enforcement authority. The ordinance modernizes Title 15, consolidates administrative procedures, clarifies appeals handled by the administrative hearing officer, and carries over previous technical amendments including standards for adjoining property protection, shoring, and plumbing rules. Staff said the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and recommended immediate adoption to avoid an enforcement lapse effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Council asked whether any provisions exceed state requirements; staff said many of the items are carryovers from the prior local code and that separate zoning or REACH-type ordinances would be considered later. Council voted to approve the urgency ordinance.