Body of News Release
11/18 UPDATE: The Board removed the policy item about building code amendment updates from its agenda but approved green building codes on its consent calendar. The Board had approved the introduction of the ordinance amendments during its 11/4 meeting.
Marin County, CA – At its November 4 meeting, the Marin County Board of Supervisors will consider two related items to update local building standards and green building requirements in alignment with the 2025 California Building Standards Code, which was adopted earlier this year and takes effect January 1, 2026.
The first ordinance would adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code – the state’s triennial update regulating construction and safety – along with Marin-specific amendments to Title 19 of the County Code. The updates will maintain local provisions on tiny homes and alternative construction methods such as strawbale, cob, light straw-clay, and 3-D printed structures.
The new Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code is part of this proposed ordinance update, with local amendments that strengthen wildfire safety. These include restrictions on fire-retardant-treated wood and clarification of repair limits for decks and siding in high fire zones.
The second ordinance updates Marin’s Green Building Requirements to reflect local amendments to the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen). Proposed updates expand Marin’s “Flex Path” policy – a local requirement that requires energy efficiency or electrification in home remodels, originally adopted in 2022. The new ordinance would lower the remodel size threshold for the Flex Path from 750 to 500 square feet, and focuses the policy on homes built before 1992.
The updated Green Building Ordinance also incorporates the state’s CALGreen Tier 1 non-energy green building measures. These measures are developed by the state and offered to local jurisdictions as low-cost, high-impact ways to increase vehicle infrastructure, improve indoor air quality, and reduce water use and waste. The proposed Green Building updates are designed to advance Marin’s Climate Action Plan 2030 goals.
The Board will introduce both ordinances on November 4 with final consideration scheduled for November 18. If adopted, the new standards will take effect January 1, 2026, alongside the state’s updated codes.
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