Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Building Energy Reach Codes
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Building Energy Reach Codes
In August 2024, the City adopted its inaugural Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), a greenprint to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2045. A community greenhouse gas inventory shows that natural gas usage in existing buildings comprises 38% of total community greenhouse gas emissions.
-Measure BE-1 of the CAAP directs electrifying 100% of new construction in the City in 2024
-Measure BE-2 directs the electrification of residential buildings to reduce natural gas consumption by 26% by the year 2030.
-Measure BE-3 directs the electrification of existing commercial and mixed-use buildings to reduce natural gas consumption by 18% by 2030.
A key strategy listed in the CAAP to make progress towards this goal is the adoption of reach codes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from building energy.
A reach code is a local ordinance which adds additional requirements to the state's building code in order to address issues such as greenhouse gas emissions reduction, energy efficiency, air quality, public health, safety, and more. Reach codes are informed by community input and feedback as they apply to residential and non-residential building owners.
At this time, the City is currently considering adoption of reach codes for existing single-family residential buildings, existing and new multifamily buildings, and existing nonresidential buildings. If adopted, potential requirements may include installing electrification measures such as a heat pump space conditioning system when replacing or adding a central air conditioner, with the option still available to keep a gas furnace provided other efficiency measures are installed. Learn about the full list of policies under consideration below.
The City plans to adopt reach codes for other building types in the near future to further align with CAAP goals.
Please participate in the development of these codes to ensure they are a reflection of our community vision.
In August 2024, the City adopted its inaugural Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), a greenprint to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2045. A community greenhouse gas inventory shows that natural gas usage in existing buildings comprises 38% of total community greenhouse gas emissions.
-Measure BE-1 of the CAAP directs electrifying 100% of new construction in the City in 2024
-Measure BE-2 directs the electrification of residential buildings to reduce natural gas consumption by 26% by the year 2030.
-Measure BE-3 directs the electrification of existing commercial and mixed-use buildings to reduce natural gas consumption by 18% by 2030.
A key strategy listed in the CAAP to make progress towards this goal is the adoption of reach codes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from building energy.
A reach code is a local ordinance which adds additional requirements to the state's building code in order to address issues such as greenhouse gas emissions reduction, energy efficiency, air quality, public health, safety, and more. Reach codes are informed by community input and feedback as they apply to residential and non-residential building owners.
At this time, the City is currently considering adoption of reach codes for existing single-family residential buildings, existing and new multifamily buildings, and existing nonresidential buildings. If adopted, potential requirements may include installing electrification measures such as a heat pump space conditioning system when replacing or adding a central air conditioner, with the option still available to keep a gas furnace provided other efficiency measures are installed. Learn about the full list of policies under consideration below.
The City plans to adopt reach codes for other building types in the near future to further align with CAAP goals.
Please participate in the development of these codes to ensure they are a reflection of our community vision.
Events
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Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Building Energy Reach Codes Workshop
For those attending in-person the workshop will be located in the Community Room on the first floor of City Hall. If you're calling in, mute the livestream audio from the event page to prevent echoes and unwanted background noise. Press *1 to listen to the meeting. Press *3 to speak.