Jan 16 2021

Reach Codes: Council, TUESDAY, Jan. 19, 2021

From the City of Piedmont – 

I am writing today to inform you that Piedmont City Council will receive an informational update on public engagement efforts related to the proposed amendments –Reach Codes– to the state’s Building Standards Code on TUESDAY, January 19th. This will include a presentation of the results of a random-sample survey conducted in November and December 2020, which evaluated residents’ opinions about the draft Reach Codes.

TUESDAY, JAN. 19, AGENDA AND PARTICIPATION INFORMATION HERE.

Unless otherwise directed by the Council, staff intends to bring forward the second reading of the Reach Codes at the February 1st City Council meeting.

To learn more about the proposed Reach Codes, see the “background” section below, or follow the link in the “more information” section. The goal of these amendments is to reduce building natural gas use in accordance with Climate Action Plan goals and to create opportunities for residents to save energy and money.

The TUESDAY, January 19, 2021 City Council meeting agenda is posted on the City website at www.piedmont.ca.gov. Members of the public are encouraged to participate by submitting comments and attending the Council meeting. Comments regarding the proposed code amendments may be sent to the City Council via email to: citycouncil@piedmont.ca.gov.

To send comments via U.S. Mail, please use the following address: Piedmont City Council c/o City Clerk, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611. The City Council meeting, including this issue, will be televised on KCOM-TV, Channel 27, and the City’s government access TV station.

If you have questions about the proposed ordinances and policy, please contact Planning & Building Director Kevin Jackson by email at kjackson@piedmont.ca.gov. Any correspondence sent to the City will be considered a public record.

Best regards,

Alyssa Dykman

Sustainability Program Manager

Reach Codes Background:

Piedmont’s Climate Action Plan 2.0 calls for the community to reduce its in-territory emissions 80% between 2005 and 2050; much of this reduction must come from reduced natural gas use in buildings – by insulating homes better, and by switching out gas appliances for electric appliances powered by renewable energy.

Over the past year, City staff has been developing proposed local amendments to the California Building Standards Code—Reach Codes—that will help the community make progress towards these goals, while creating opportunities for residents to save energy and money. City staff has done extensive public outreach, including public outreach meetings, public opinion surveys, and the development of a frequently asked question (FAQ) page, to ensure the developed proposals are best tailored to Piedmont’s needs. The resulting recommended amendments are as follows:

  • Newly constructed low-rise residential buildings, including new detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs), must use all electric building appliances.
  • Projects proposing an entire new upper level on a low-rise residential building, or that increase a low-rise residential building’s total roof area by 30% or more, are required to install solar panels on their roof.
  • A renovation project on a low-rise residential building that costs $25,000 or more, will require the applicant to choose one item from a list of energy efficient insulation or heating system electrification improvements to include in the renovation. A renovation project on a low-rise residential building that costs $100,000 or more will require the applicant to choose two items.
  • An application for an electrical panel upgrade must include capacity in the panel to accommodate future electrification of all appliances in the residence.
  • An application for a kitchen or laundry area renovation must include electrical outlets for future appliance installation.
  • At point of listing for sale of a property, a report from a Home Energy Audit or Home Energy Score (homeowner’s choice) must be provided to potential buyers and submitted to the City – unless the residential building was constructed in the past 10 years.

For more information, see:

Filed under: *All News, News - Planning/Environ.

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