General FAQs about the All-Electric Building Ordinance

What are the benefits of adopting an all-electric new construction ordinance?

• Reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced in Contra Costa County and will contribute to reducing the overall and local impact of climate change and associated risks  
• Reduce new building construction costs since natural gas infrastructure (plumbing, metering, and venting) are not needed
• Help meet the County’s Climate Action Plan greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals
• Carry out the County Board of Supervisor’s Climate Emergency Resolutions (Resolution No. 2020/256)
• Improve indoor air quality and safety 

What building types would the ordinance apply to?

This ordinance requires new construction of the following building types to be an all-electric building:

• All residential buildings (including single-family and multi-family buildings)
• Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)
• Hotel
• Office
• Retail

What is an all-electric building?

The Ordinance defines an all-electric building as a building that has no natural gas or propane plumbing installed within the building, and that uses electricity as the sole source of energy for its space heating (including heating of all indoor and outdoor spaces of the building), water heating (including heating of indoor and outdoor pools and spas), cooking appliances, and clothes drying appliances. An all-electric building may utilize solar thermal pool heating.

Do all-electric buildings cost more?

Generally, for most building types, all-electric buildings are less costly to build. The service and piping for natural gas infrastructure is often more expensive than installing a building with all-electric equipment.

The California Statewide Reach Code Program has prepared cost effectiveness reports. View the reports on the California Reach Code website

Is Contra Costa County the only jurisdiction that’s adopted an all-electric building ordinance like this?

No, Contra Costa County is part of an ever-growing list of over 50 jurisdictions across that State that have adopted similar ordinances to phase out fossil fuels from new buildings.

Is there enough electricity supply to support new all-electric buildings?

State policy already indicates a shifting away from fossil fuels as a source of power towards greater use of renewable energy. While County staff are not involved in managing the State’s energy supply or grid infrastructure, multiple State agencies are deeply involved in planning for the State’s future energy needs. These agencies are dedicating tremendous resources and attention to address these concerns. 

Won’t all-electric buildings be more vulnerable to Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events?

The State continues to work with utilities to reduce the need for PSPS events. However, such events will likely occur again in the future, subject to weather conditions. Property owners can mitigate their risk of losing power during PSPS events by installing a source of backup power, such as a generator or battery storage.  

FAQs for Building Developers

I am currently filing for a building permit. How does it affect my building project?

The ordinance only applies to new construction of buildings that are residential (single-family, multi-family, or detached accessory dwelling units), Hotel, Office, or Retail.  

 Any permits issued on or after June 1, 2022, for New Construction of all Residential, Retail, Office, and Hotel buildings are required to be All-Electric (no natural gas allowed).  Beginning April 1, 2022, building permit applications subject to the ordinance must be designed to be all-electric (no natural gas allowed).  

Does this ordinance apply to building remodel activities?

The ordinance does not pertain to any additions, alterations or tenant improvements to any existing buildings, including any attached accessory dwelling units. Additionally, it does not preclude anyone from installing natural gas for any existing buildings, including other allowed ancillary uses to existing buildings, such as pools, spas, or other similar outdoor equipment.

Is my project subject to the all-electric ordinance requirement if my project has both retail and restaurant uses proposed?

Any proposed development approved for restaurant use would be allowed to install natural gas.  However, any retail uses in a proposed commercial development would be subject to the all-electric requirement (no natural gas allowed).  This means that in some commercial projects natural gas may be allowed for some uses in the commercial building (i.e., restaurants).  

My project is proposing to include emergency backup power.  Is the backup power required to be all-electric?  

No, emergency backup power can be fossil-fuel operated, if its sole purpose is for emergency backup power.  

Are there exemptions to the All-Electric Building Ordinance?

Yes, the following are not subject to the All-Electric Requirements

• Existing Buildings Not Subject to All-Electric Requirement
  The ordinance does not pertain to any additions, alterations or tenant improvements to any existing buildings, including any attached accessory dwelling units.  Additionally, it does not preclude anyone from installing natural gas for any existing buildings, including other allowed ancillary uses to existing buildings, such as pools, spas, or other similar outdoor equipment.
• Backup Power
  The ordinance does not prohibit the use of emergency backup power sources, such as generators, that may be fossil-fuel operated. 
• Vested Rights
  The ordinance exempts some development projects that have obtained an approved vesting tentative map, development agreement, or other vested right pursuant to applicable law, prior to the operative date (June 1, 2022) of the ordinance.

My project proposal includes a pool. Does the pool need to be all-electric?

If the project applicant proposes a new residential home or multi-family building that includes a pool, spa, or other similar outdoor ancillary uses, the project would be required to be all-electric. Under this circumstance, the pool may utilize solar thermal pool heating. 

Proposed pools, spas, or other such ancillary uses to any existing residential buildings, including existing residential buildings that were subject to the all-electric ordinance when they were initially constructed, are not subject to the all-electric ordinance.

January 18, 2022 - Board of Supervisors Adopts Ordinance

Board of Supervisors adopts Ordinance No. 2022-02, with an operative date of June 1, 2022, requiring new construction of all residential, hotel, office and retail buildings to be all-electric.  
View Board Order
View January 18, 2022 Board Agenda

December 14, 2021 - Ordinance is Introduced

Introduction of Ordinance No. 2022-02, adopting and amending the 2019 California Energy Code to require certain newly constructed buildings be all-electric.
View Board Order
View December 14, 2021 Board Agenda

August 3, 2021 - Board of Supervisors Approved recommendation to develop an all-electric ordinance

BOS Sustainability Committee recommendation approved by Board of Supervisors to develop an all-electric ordinance for new construction for certain building types.   
View Board Order
View August 3, 2021 Board Agenda

May 24, 2021 - Report to Sustainability Committee 

Report to the Sustainability Committee to discuss options for potential building electrification ordinance.
View Report to Sustainability Committee
View May 25, 2021 Sustainability Committee Agenda

September 22, 2020 - Board of Supervisors Adopts a Climate Emergency Resolution

The Board of Supervisors adopted a Climate Emergency Resolution declaring a climate emergency in the County that states the County should develop policies to require all new construction to be fully electric through the adoption of reach building codes.
View Board Order 
View September 22, 2020 Board Agenda

December 9, 2019 - Report to the Sustainability Committee on building electrification

Staff provided report to the BOS Sustainability Committee on building electrification and its benefits.
View Building Electrification Staff Report to Sustainability Committee
View December 9, 2019 Sustainability Committee Agenda

September 23, 2019 -Sustainability Committee directs staff to research building electrification

Staff received direction from the Board of Supervisors (BOS) Sustainability Committee to research the status of new building electrification ordinances for new construction adopted by various jurisdictions throughout the Bay Area.
View Minutes from September 23, 2019 Sustainability Committee