Every three years, the State of California updates its building codes and jurisdictions routinely adopt them. Prior to the November 5, 2025, Fairfax last adopted building codes in 2022. Included in both the 2022 and 2025 updates were “Reach Codes and Flex Compliance Pathway (FlexPath)”, which require a higher level of energy efficiency with the “FlexPath” providing some flexibility with how to achieve energy efficiency goals. With the adoption of these codes, the Town stays current with the minimum requirements of the State of California building standards as determined by the California Building Standards Commission.
Also adopted on November 5, 2025 were amendments to the Town Code to adopt the 2025 California Fire Code, and portions of the 2024 International Fire Code with certain local adjustments. In a cooperative effort, the Marin County Fire Prevention Officers met and reviewed the model code and developed standard ordinance language. While some minor changes occur between jurisdictions, the end result is a more consistent and cooperative approach to fire safety issues, making it easier for contractors and developers to work with each jurisdiction. The local amendments included in the 2025 ordinance do not represent any significant changes from the current Code, but do include additional clearance requirements around buildings, radio communication requirements and minor changes to fire apparatus access road standards.
Since Fairfax is adjacent to large natural open space areas, the Town also adopted the 2025 Edition of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code and 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code) with certain local amendments and additions. The Wildland-Urban Interface Code is arranged and organized to follow sequential steps that generally occur during plan review or inspection to ensure that life and property can be protected as much as possible in the events of a wildland fire.