Show All Answers

1. 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).  

2. 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.

3. 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).  

4. 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.  

5. Am I allowed to include solar/thermal heating features in my project?

Yes, new construction of all building types included in the all-electric ordinance are allowed to use solar/thermal heating in their project.

6. 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.

7. 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.