Reach Code Paths

BUILDING EFFICIENCY/ RENEWABLES

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Requirement
Pros
Cons
Adopter City

One energy performance requirement for mixed fuel and all-electric

“Fuel-neutral” ordinances require buildings to comply with greater energy performance levels regardless of building power source—electricity and natural gas OR electricity only

  • Easy to communicate and understand
  • No external documents or calculations
  • Likely fewer GHG emission reductions

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


Install efficiency, renewable, or electrification measures in existing building if not included in project scope

Require upgrades beyond work triggered by Title 24 code. Examples include: add attic insulation to vented attic spaces, or apply air sealing to accessible areas

  • Impact on existing homes with greatest savings potential
  • Flexibility to limit maximum incremental cost
  • Often politically challenging to adopt requirements for existing homes

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


One energy performance requirement for mixed-fuel only (no requirement for all-electric designs)

“Electric-preferred” ordinances require mixed-fuel buildings to comply with greater energy performance levels, whereas all-electric buildings must only meet the State energy code

  • Encourages all electric designs
  • No external documents or calculations
  • Retains builder flexibility and choice
  • Uncertain impacts
  • May be challenging to communicate
Your city could be the first to adopt this ordinance

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


CALGreen Tier 1 Performance Requirements -
Residential: Climate-zone dependent EDR1 margin
Nonresidential: 10% compliance margin for most; Hotel/Motel and High-rise Res = 5%

Adopt voluntary efficiency measures in the CA Green Building Standards Code, including increased energy performance requirements and/or prerequisite options

  • Voluntary option in CALGreen (Part 11 of CBC)
  • Adopt energy performance only, or include prerequisites
  • Addresses topics beyond energy
  • May require additional verification
  • Some limitations because of cost-effectiveness for RNC
Your city could be the first to adopt this ordinance

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


Cool roof materials for new and at re-roofing

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


Require photovoltaic (PV) System on all single family residential additions

Examples include: install a solar PV system according to Title 24, Part 6 requirements for new construction, or based on floor area or projected annual electrical usage

  • Minimum PV system capacity depending on feasibility
  • Min size requirement may encourage installation of more capacity to meet entire load
  • Tax credit
  • Requires external documents and/or calculations
  • Can be a significant incremental cost
  • Challenges regarding compatibility with existing systems

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


Photovoltaic (PV) System on existing high-rise multifamily or nonresidential projects

For example, Specify minimum system capacity based on filling specified percentage of rooftop area

  • Stand-alone or combine with energy efficiency measures for greater savings
  • PV is cost-effective under most major project scenarios
  • Tax credit
  • Can be a considerable incremental cost
  • Highly variable investment requirements
  • Physical constraints on rooftop
  • Sizing may not be optimal for occupancies with different load profiles

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


Require upgrade by “Date-Certain”, a single date or phased schedule) specified in the policy OR at tenant change, or other specified interval

Establish defined dates or events to trigger requirements for energy efficiency improvements that would otherwise not be undertaken unless existing buildings are altered or undergo tenant improvement

  • Likely to cover all properties within scope
  • No impact on unrelated real estate or financial transactions
  • Distribution of benefits to more renters
  • Rental properties often have significant potential
  • Requires internal jurisdiction resources to implement policy and maintain records
  • Potential for owner resistance to investment when tenant reaps utility benefits
Your city could be the first to adopt this ordinance

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


All-Electric (Energy Code Amendment)

Require all-electric new construction projects with no gas appliances or gas plumbing, through amending Part 6 of the Title 24 Building Standards Code

  • Maximum reduction in emissions
  • Uncertainty regarding existing legal challenges
  • Requires cost-effectiveness study and CEC approval
  • Requires more community outreach and education than other structures
  • Technical feasibility for some occupancies

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


All-Electric (CALGreen Amendment)

Require all-electric new construction projects with no gas appliances or gas plumbing, through amending CALGreen Part 11 of the Title 24 Building Standards Code

  • Maximum reduction in emissions
  • No need for cost-effectiveness study or CEC approval
  • Uncertainty regarding existing legal challenges
  • Technical feasibility for some occupancies
  • Requires more community outreach and education than other structures

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


All-Electric (Municipal Code Amendment)

Require all-electric new construction projects with no gas appliances or gas plumbing, through amending the zoning, health and safety, or other municipal code

  • Maximum reduction in emissions
  • Flexibility to adopt outside Title 24, Part 6
  • No need for cost-effectiveness study or CEC approval
  • Requires more community outreach and education than other structures
  • Uncertainty regarding existing legal challenges
  • Technical feasibility for some occupancies

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


Install either heat pump water heater (HPWH) or solar thermal

Decrease water heating-related carbon emissions due to natural gas or propane fueled water heaters by requiring electric heat pumps or increasing the solar thermal contribution

  • Single measure may be more palatable
  • Significantly reduces or eliminates emissions from significant source
  • No savings from avoided gas infrastructure
  • Some projects will not exceed state code

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


There are no resources for this requirement.
Contact us for more information.
Learn more about the Reach Code Process.

New Pools: Require heat pump and/or solar thermal pool heating

Applies to new pools.

  • Significant reduction in GHG emissions
  • Requires some operational changes
  • Spas remain challenging

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


Require cool roof materials for new and at re-roofing

Improve roofing product performance with increased requirements for reflectance and emittance values to reduce solar heat gain through the building envelope into the conditioned space

  • Near-zero cost measure
  • Easy to understand and enforce
  • Reduces urban heat island effect
  • Potentially consumer color preference, but materials are widely available
  • Limited impact
Your city could be the first to adopt this ordinance

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


Sustainable roofs (PV, solar thermal or vegetative roof) for projects 10,000 sf or larger

Require solar PV to offset min. percentage of usage, solar collectors for hot water with min. solar savings fraction, or vegetation to cover min. rooftop area

  • Flexibility for builders
  • If vegetative, is aesthetically pleasing and can become usable space
  • Singular focus
  • Maintenance challenges for vegetative roofs
  • Does not address other features or end-uses
Your city could be the first to adopt this ordinance

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


There are no resources for this requirement.
Contact us for more information.
Learn more about the Reach Code Process.

Third party green building certification

Require green building certification from accredited programs such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or GreenPoint Rated (GPR)

  • Holistic, can meet additional sustainability goals
  • External inspection and verification resources
  • Likely increased cost to builder for non-energy measures
  • Requires additional documentation
  • Structure may not align with CA compliance
  • May require analysis beyond existing studies
Your city could be the first to adopt this ordinance

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


CALGreen Tier 1/ Tier 2 Requirements

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


Photovoltaic (PV) System - Surpassing 2022 Code Requirements for MF and NR

  • Stand-alone or combine with energy efficiency measures for greater savings
  • Sizing system for all-electric appliances
  • Tax credit
  • PV is cost-effective for most project scenarios
  • Requires external documents and/or calculations

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


Electric Only

  • Maximum reduction in emissions
  • Flexibility to adopt outside Title 24, Part 6
  • No external documents or calculations required
  • Uncertainty regarding existing legal challenges
  • Requires more community outreach and education than other structures
  • Technical feasibility for some occupancies
Your city could be the first to adopt this ordinance

View and Download Resources

Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


Weighted menu of efficiency, renewable, or electrification measures required for additions or alterations of an existing building

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Application Package, Internal Staff Resources, Implementation


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  • Southern California Edison - An EDISON INTERNATIONAL® Company
  • PG&E Corporation

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