An all-electric building has no natural gas or propane plumbing installed within the building, and that uses electricity as the source of energy for its space heating, water heating, cooking appliances, and clothes drying appliances. An all-electric building does not include any gas infrastructure and gas-fired amenities such as outdoor kitchens, grills, pools, spas, fireplaces, firepits and outdoor heaters are not allowed.

An all-electric building is required for all new construction and newly constructed buildings.

A newly constructed building is a new building constructed from the ground up. It also refers to additions, alterations and additions that include alterations to existing buildings for which building permit(s) have been issued within any 12-month period that collectively exceeds more than 50 percent of the existing floor area, 50 percent of the existing wall area or when the combination of the percentages of affected floor area and affected wall area exceeds 50 percent – the “50 Percent Rule.”

Yes, a new ADU is required to be constructed as an all-electric building. An ADU is considered the same as a single-family home and is subject to all Building code requirements unless specified otherwise.

If an applicant believes that circumstances exist that make it a hardship or infeasible to meet the requirements of the adopted CalGreen Code amendments, the applicant may request an exemption in writing at the time of application. In applying for an exemption, the burden is on the applicant to show hardship or infeasibility.

If the new pool is being built in conjunction with the a newly constructed primary building (such as single-family home, townhomes, office building, ADU, etc.), then a heat pump water heater is required for the pool. If the pool is being built on a site with an existing primary building, then the pool heater is not required to be a heat pump water heater though that is encouraged. 

If the new outdoor kitchen is being built in conjunction with the a newly constructed primary building (such as single-family home, townhomes, office building, ADU, etc.), then gas stove and barbeque is not allowed. If the new outdoor kitchen is being built on a site with an existing primary building, then a gas stove and barbeque is allowed.

No, as long as there have not been building permit(s) issued within the previous 12-month period to the Building permit application that would exceed the 50 Percent Rule.

Heat pump water heaters use electricity and refrigerant to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly. While a refrigerator pulls heat from inside a box and sends it into the surrounding room, a stand-alone heat pump water heater pulls heat from the surrounding air and transfers it -- at a higher temperature -- to heat water in a storage tank.

No, you can replace existing equipment like for like but heat pump equipment is encouraged.

Heat pumps transfer heat from one place to another. A heat pump absorbs heat energy from the outside air (even in cold temperatures) and transfers it to the indoor air. When in cooling mode a heat pump and an air conditioner are functionally identical, absorbing heat from the indoor air and releasing it through the outdoor unit.

The installation of a heat pump when replacing or installing a new AC condenser maintains the current buildings heating (gas fired furnace) and cooling configuration while providing for an easy conversion to a heat pumped based space heating and cooling system when the existing gas fired furnace reaches the end of its life.

An EV Ready parking space is a space with an electrical branch circuit, and necessary raceway and wiring to accommodate EV charging terminating in a receptacle or a charger. The branch circuit is required to be a minimum 40-ampere 208/240 branch circuit to accommodate a level 3 EV charger.

A Level 2 EV charging station delivers an electrical current from an outlet or hardwired unit to the vehicle via the connector, similar to a standard-issue charger.

The panel is required to be able to accommodate:

1. The electrical capacity for and reservation of breaker space in the panel to accommodate the existing single-family electrical load and the future electrification of:
   • An electric stove and oven if the current stove and/or oven are gas:
   • An electric clothes dryer if the current clothes dryer is gas;
   • One level 2 electric vehicle charging equipment (EVCE);
   • Photovoltaic panels (PV); and
   • For a 240-volt circuit capable of providing electricity to operate a HPWH of comparable size to the existing gas fired water heater but a minimum of 30 amps per water heater.
2. All reserved breaker spaces shall be permanently marked as “For Future EVCE, PV and HPWH use”.
3. A dedicated 240-volt branch circuit shall be installed within three (3) feet from the existing water heater location and shall be rated at 30 amps minimum. Both ends of the unused conductor shall be labeled with the word “spare”, be identified as 240 V ready.

Remember to check with the Planning & Building Department about utility undergrounding requirements. 

Yes. The intent it to prepare the existing house for future electrification by taking advantage of the opportunity presented when the new main electric panel is being replaced.

Yes. The change made to the code was to ensure a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is not installed in the living space of the house. The garage has a rated wall/ceiling between it and the living area which provides the life safety protection needed in the event of a fire.

Yes. The systems you are talking about are portable systems and not governed by the Building codes. The installation of the transfer switch will require a Building permit.

Prior to final inspections and occupancy for the project, a qualified Green Building Specialist shall provide documentation verifying that the project complies with all CalGreen Code measures. Upon receipt of this documentation, the Building Division will review the documentation and once approved, the final inspection may be scheduled.