California Construction News staff writer
Throughout May, the City of Stockton is joining cities across California and the nation in recognizing the 45th annual Building Safety Month, a global campaign led by the International Code Council to raise awareness about the importance of building codes and the role of safety professionals in keeping communities protected.
This year’s theme, “Game On!” highlights the critical connection between building codes and personal safety. The City of Stockton is encouraging residents to get involved and learn how everyday decisions impact the safety of the places where we live, work, and play.
“Construction codes are developed through a rigorous process to establish minimum safety standards for our buildings and facilities,” said Stockton’s Chief Building Official John Schweigerdt. “Coordinating with building safety professionals on all construction projects ensures our community will be safe and resilient, and we’re available to ensure your safety throughout the year.”
The national campaign is divided into five weekly themes:
- Week 1: The Warm Up (May 1–3) focuses on how building safety impacts daily life—from offices and schools to recreational facilities.
- Week 2: Build Your Offense (May 4–10) encourages communities to actively support local building safety programs.
- Week 3: Build Your Defense (May 11–17) urges residents to prepare for natural hazards such as earthquakes, wildfires, and floods using recommended disaster toolkits.
- Week 4: The Starting Lineup (May 18–24) introduces the public to the professionals behind safe construction and promotes careers in building safety.
- Week 5: Going Into Overtime (May 25–31) looks at the future of the industry, including the use of artificial intelligence and emerging global trends.
Stockton is opening the Permit Center at 345 North El Dorado Street throughout May for anyone needing access information on building safety, preparedness, and code compliance.
Here’s what some other cities are doing to mark safety month:
The City of Long Beach is holding a series of outreach events throughout May. City staff are visiting local college and high school campuses to engage with students studying engineering, architecture, and related fields. Also, the city is utilizing social media platforms to share building safety information and encourage community involvement.
Irvine’s Building and Safety Division is raising awareness about safe building practices and the role of building codes in ensuring public health and safety. The city is encouraging residents to become building safety advocates and participate in community discussions about building safety.
Carlsbad’s building division is focusing on energy efficiency and building safety, highlighting the importance of adopting modern building codes and promoting sustainable construction practices to create safe and energy-efficient structures.
Pomona is reinforcing the need for the adoption of modern, regularly updated building codes. The city is collaborating with various professionals from the building construction, design, and safety communities to promote building safety through proclamations, informational events, and legislative briefings.
To learn more about Building Safety Month, visit www.buildingsafetymonth.org.
