Local Energy Codes

Electric Only

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

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

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

Cool roof materials for new and at re-roofing

Install efficiency, renewable, or electrification measures in existing home 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

Require photovoltaic (PV) System on all low-rise 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

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

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

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

New Pools: Require either heat pump or solar thermal pool heating (Santa Monica)

Applies to new pools.

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

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

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)

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

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

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

CALGreen Tier 1/ Tier 2 Requirements