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TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 15, CHAPTER 24, SECTION 15.24.030 OF THE STOCKTON MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING SECTION 15.24.030.I AND ADDING SECTION 15.24.030.QQ AND SECTION 15.24.030.RR WITH RESPECT TO THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE AS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt an ordinance:
1. Amending Title 15, Chapter 15.24, Section 15.24.030.I of the Stockton Municipal Code to properly reflect a code section of the International Property Maintenance Code that was improperly codified in the original adoption of this Section;
2. Amending Title 15, Chapter 15.24, Section 15.24.030 of the Stockton Municipal Code by adding Section 15.24.030.QQ to amend a provision of the International Property Maintenance Code as previously adopted to properly align with the existing records retention policy of the City of Stockton; and
3. Amending Title 15, Chapter 15.24, Section 15.24.030 of the Stockton Municipal Code by adding Section 15.24.030.RR to amend a provision of the International Property Maintenance Code as previously adopted to clarify the height of overgrown vegetation constituting a violation.
It is further recommended that the City Manager, or designee, be authorized to take all appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this ordinance.
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Summary
This ordinance amends Chapter 15.24 of the Stockton Municipal Code (“SMC”) to correct a technical codification error in the City’s adoption of the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code (“IPMC”), align record-retention requirements with the City’s existing records retention policies, and establish a local standard prohibiting weeds and plant growth exceeding six inches in height. These amendments are administrative and technical in nature and are intended to improve clarity, consistency, and enforceability of Chapter 15.24, “Property Maintenance Code.” (Attachment A)
DISCUSSION
Background
In 2025, the Stockton City Council undertook a comprehensive update to the City’s regulatory framework by repealing SMC Chapter 15.24 (“Housing Code”) and Chapter 15.28 (“Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings”). In their place, the City Council adopted a newly consolidated SMC Chapter 15.24, titled the "Property Maintenance Code."
The primary objective of this legislative overhaul was to eliminate outdated “model” codes and transition to modern, unified standards. By adopting the 2024 Edition of the IPMC and incorporating it by reference with specific local amendments, the City successfully aligned the code enforcement mechanisms used by Neighborhood Services with the modern systems utilized by the Community Development and Fire Departments. This transition has significantly improved inter-departmental communication, inspection coordination, and overall procedural efficiency.
Following the implementation and practical application of the newly adopted Property Maintenance Code, staff identified one technical codification error and two regulatory gaps within the adopting ordinance. Specifically, these items involve an incorrectly cited IPMC section regarding emergency measures, an inconsistency between IPMC language and the City's established records retention schedules, and a missing localized standard regarding overgrown vegetation heights. The proposed ordinance amendments seek to rectify these minor administrative and technical oversight issues to ensure the SMC remains accurate, legally enforceable, and aligned with City operational policies.
Present Situation
Since the adoption of SMC Chapter 15.24 ‘Property Maintenance Code’, the City has successfully replaced antiquated codes previously used by Neighborhood Services with the same modern code framework utilized by other departments. The adoption of the new code has enabled Neighborhood Services, the Building and Planning Divisions, and the Fire Department to better communicate and coordinate inspections and procedural matters. However, during the practical implementation of the new code, it became obvious some revisions were needed.
When the original ordinance was drafted, the amendment contained in SMC 15.24.030.I was incorrectly labeled. The current amendment references Chapter 1, Section 109.5, when it should instead reference Chapter 1, Section 109.1.5. Amending the Code, as proposed, will rectify this misidentification.
Additionally, Neighborhood Services Sections’ document retention policy requires the retention of case documents for three years following the resolution of the case. The IPMC, as currently adopted by the City, requires retention for not less than five years or for as long as the building or structure to which such records relate remains in existence, unless otherwise provided by other regulations. These inconsistent retention requirements should be reconciled through the addition of SMC Section 15.24.030.QQ, which will align the IPMC with the City's existing records retention policy.
Finally, Section 302.4 of the IPMC does not establish a maximum height for weeds or plant growth because the code is intended to allow local jurisdictions to adopt their own standards. Unfortunately, this section was not amended with the original adoption of the IPMC. This oversight will be remedied through the addition of SMC Section 15.24.030.RR, which prohibits weeds or plant growth from exceeding six inches.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Adoption of the amendment of the Stockton Municipal Code and provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code will have no negative fiscal impact.
Attachment A - Proposed IPMC Ordinance Redlined Version