Local Government – Local Energy Ordinance Resources and Toolkit

Local energy ordinances require buildings to be more efficient than the existing statewide standards. In order for an energy reach code to be enforceable, local jurisdictions are required by law to submit an application package that includes the proposed ordinance language and documentation that the ordinance is cost-effective to the Energy Commission for approval prior to filing with the Building Standards Commission (CBSC). The C&S program created the documents posted here to help streamline ordinance adoption.

Performance-Based Ordinances

A “performance-based” ordinance raises the energy efficiency bar above Title 24, Part 6 Energy Standards, and provides project applicants with flexibility about how the bar will be reached. There are several acceptable methods for demonstrating an ordinance is cost effective, such as:

• Customer Cost: Presents the results from a customer perspective, estimating the customer’s savings from reduced energy usage at the site level.
• Time Dependent Valuation (TDV): The Energy Commission’s primary metric for energy savings. TDV accounts for how each unit of energy consumed (particularly electricity) has varying cost to the customer, utility, society, and environment depending on the particular hour of the year it is used.

Click here for more information about Performance-Based Ordinances

Prescriptive (Single-Measure) Ordinance Opportunities 

The Local Ordinance team has identified several cost-effective measures that may present straightforward options for a local ordinance.  These measures may be adopted individually, or in combination with other measures or requirements.  For each option, we present a summary (details the measure, options for a proposed ordinance, potential scope and application, documentation requirements, and implementation considerations); a cost-effectiveness analysis; and model code language.

Click here for more information about Prescriptive Ordinances