Feb 21 2021

Approved Reach Codes Information

Photo of interior construction site
On February 1, 2021, the City Council unanimously approved the Reach Codes Ordinances (Ordinance 750 N.S. and Ordinance 751 N.S.)
Ordinance 751 N.S. includes a new requirement for a Home Energy Audit for residential buildings at point of sale. This rule will go into effect city-wide on March 3, 2021. At the point of listing for the sale of a property, a report from a Home Energy Audit or Home Energy Score must be provided to potential buyers and submitted to the City Building Official.
Piedmont Reach Codes will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Piedmont by encouraging energy efficiency upgrades and limiting natural gas usage in new homes.
Ordinance 750 N.S. amends energy efficiency, solar systems, and all-electric construction in new or existing residential buildings. Ordinance 750 N.S. will go into effect on June 1, 2021, or when approved by the California Energy Commission. Some of the key components of the Reach Codes are:
  • Newly constructed low-rise residential buildings and new detached ADU’s must use all electric building appliances. No gas lines can be hooked up to these buildings.
  • Projects that include an entirely new floor level or expand the total roof area by 30% or more, must install solar panels on the roof.
  • A renovation project on a low-rise residential building that costs $25,000 or more must include an energy efficient insulation or heating system electrification improvement in the renovation.
  • A renovation project on a low-rise residential building that costs $100,000 or more must include two energy efficient insulation or heating system electrification improvements in the renovation. (This requirement can be modified with a Home Energy Score of at least a 7 completed in the last five years. This modification is included so homes that have been already pursuing energy efficiency measures can be recognized for their efforts.)
  • Electrical panel upgrades must include capacity in the panel to accommodate future electrification of all appliances in the residence.
  • Kitchen or laundry area renovations must include electrical outlets for future electrical appliance installations.
Details can be found on the City’s website, or you can talk to a member of the Planning and Building Department when you apply for a permit.

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

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