Chapter 12.16 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE AMENDMENTS

Chapter 12.16
CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE AMENDMENTS

Sections:

12.16.010 California Energy Code amendments.

12.16.020 Prohibition on conversion to mixed-fuel buildings.

12.16.010 California Energy Code amendments.

The 2022 California Energy Code, Part 6 of the California Building Standards Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24, is amended with the modifications set forth below:

Section 100.0(e), paragraphs (1) and (2) are modified to read as follows:

SECTION 100.0 – Scope.

e) Sections applicable to particular buildings. TABLE 100.0-A and this subsection list the provisions of Part 6 that are applicable to different types of buildings covered by Section 100.0(a).

1. All buildings. Sections 100.0 through 110.12 apply to all buildings.

EXCEPTION to Section 100.0(e) 1: Spaces or requirements not listed in TABLE 100.0-A.

2. Newly constructed buildings.

a) All newly constructed buildings. Sections 110.0 through 110.12 apply to all newly constructed buildings within the scope of Section 100.0(a). In addition, newly constructed buildings shall meet the requirements of Subsections B, C, D or E, as applicable and shall be an All-Electric Building as defined in Section 100.1(b).

Exception 1: Non-Residential Buildings containing a Scientific Laboratory Building, such area may apply for approval to contain a non-electric Space Conditioning System or appliances or laboratory equipment, subject to demonstrating infeasibility or lack of cost-effectiveness in accordance with administrative guidelines as may be established by the Building Official.

To take advantage of this exception applicant shall provide third party verification that All-Electric space heating requirement is not cost effective and feasible.

Exception 2: All Residential buildings may contain non-electric Cooking Appliances and Fireplaces except buildings defined in the Energy Code as "Multifamily buildings" that are four stories or more.

Exception 3: Exemption for public agency owned and operated emergency centers. To take advantage of this exception applicant shall provide third party verification that All-Electric space heating requirement is not cost effective and feasible.

Exception 4: Non-residential buildings containing a for-profit restaurant open to the public or an employee kitchen may apply to the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) for an exception to install gas-fueled cooking appliances. This request must be based on a business-related reason to cook with a flame that cannot be reasonably achieved with an electric fuel source. Examples include barbeque-themed restaurants and pizza ovens. The Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) shall grant this exception if they find the following:

1. There is a business-related reason to cook with a flame;

2. This need cannot be reasonably achieved with an electric fuel source;

3. The applicant has employed reasonable methods to mitigate the greenhouse gas impacts of the gas-fueled appliance;

4. The applicant shall comply with the pre-wiring provision of Note 1 below.

The Environmental Quality Commission’s decision shall be final unless the applicant appeals to the City Council within 15 days of the appointed body’s decision. The City Council’s decision on the appeal shall be final.

Note 1: If natural gas appliances are used in any of the above exceptions 1-4, natural gas appliance locations must also be electrically pre-wired for future electric appliance installation. They shall include the following:

1. A dedicated circuit, phased appropriately, for each appliance, with a minimum amperage requirement for a comparable electric appliance (see manufacturer’s recommendations) with an electrical receptacle or junction box that is connected to the electric panel with conductors of adequate capacity, extending to within 3 feet of the appliance and accessible with no obstructions. Appropriately sized conduit may be installed in lieu of conductors;

2. Both ends of the unused conductor or conduit shall be labeled with the words "For Future Electric appliance" and be electrically isolated;

3. A reserved circuit breaker space shall be installed in the electrical panel adjacent to the circuit breaker for the branch circuit and labeled for each circuit, an example is as follows (i.e., "For Future Electric Range"); and

4. All electrical components, including conductors, receptacles, junction boxes, or blank covers, related to this section shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code.

Note 2: If any of the exceptions 1-4 are granted, the Building Official shall have the authority to approve alternative materials, design and methods of construction or equipment per CBC 104.

Subdivision (b), Definitions, of Section 100.1 — Definitions and Rules of Construction, is modified by adding the following definitions of "All Electric Building" "Scientific Laboratory Building" and replacing the definition of "Shading" as follows:

ALL ELECTRIC BUILDING is a building that 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. All Electric Buildings may include solar thermal pool heating.

SCIENTIFIC LABORATORY BUILDING is a building or area where research, experiments, and measurement in medical, and life sciences are performed and/or stored requiring examination of fine details. The building may include workbenches, countertops, scientific instruments, and supporting offices.

SHADING is the protection from heat gains because of direct solar radiation by permanently attached exterior devices of building elements, interior shading devices, glazing material, adherent materials, including items located outside the building footprint such as heritage trees or Multifamily buildings that may affect shading.

Section 110.2, Mandatory Requirements for Space Conditioning Equipment, is amended for the first paragraph to read as follows:

Certification by Manufacturers. Any space-conditioning equipment listed in this section, may be installed only if the manufacturer has certified to the Commission that the equipment complies with all the applicable requirements of this section and the building will still meet applicable All-Electric Building requirements as set forth in section 100.0(e)2A.

Subdivision (a), Certification by manufacturers, of Section 110.3, Mandatory Requirements for Service Water-Heating Systems and Equipment, is modified for the first sentence to read as follows:

a) Certification by manufacturers. Any service water-heating system or equipment may be installed only if the manufacturer has certified that the system or equipment complies with all of the requirements of this subsection for that system or equipment, and the building will still meet applicable All-Electric Building requirements as set forth in section 100.0(e)2A.

Subdivision (a), Certification by manufacturers, of Section 110.4, Mandatory Requirements for Pool and Spa Systems and Equipment, is modified to read as follows:

a) Certification by Manufacturers. Any pool or spa heating system or equipment, may be installed only if the manufacturer has certified that the system or equipment has all of the following, and the building will still meet applicable All-Electric Building requirements as set forth in section 100.0(e)2A;

1. Efficiency. For equipment subject to state or federal appliance efficiency standards, listings in the commissions directory of certified equipment showing compliance with applicable standards; and

2. On-off Switch. A readily accessible on-off switch, mounted on the outside of the heater that allows shutting off the heater without adjusting the thermostat setting; and

3. Instructions. A permanent, easily readable and weatherproof plate or card that gives instruction for the energy efficient operation of the pool or spa heater and for the proper care of pool or spa water when a cover is used; and

4. Electric resistance heating. No electric resistance heating.

Exception 1 to section 110.4(a) 4: Listed package units with fully insulated enclosures, and with tight-fitting covers that are insulated to at least R-6.

Exception 2 to section 110.4 (a) 4: Pools or spas deriving at least 60 percent of the annual heating energy from site solar energy or recovered energy.

b) Installation. Any pool or spa system or equipment shall be installed between with all of the following:

1. Piping. At least 36 inches of pipe shall be installed between the filter and the heater or dedicated suction and return lines, or built-in or built-up connection shall be installed to allow for the future addition of solar heating equipment;

2. Covers. A cover for outdoor pools or outdoor spas that have a heat pump or gas heater; and

3. Directional inlets and time switches for pools. If the system or equipment is for a pool:

i. The pool shall have directional inlets the adequately mix the pool water; and

ii. A time switch or similar control mechanism shall be installed as part of a pool water circulation control system the will allow all pumps to be set or programmed to run only during off-peak electric demand periods, and for the minimum time necessary to maintain the water the condition required by applicable public health standards.

Subdivision (a), Certification by manufacturers, of Section 110.5, Natural Gas Central Furnaces, Cooking Equipment, Pool and Spa Heaters, is modified for the first sentence to read as follows:

Any natural gas system or equipment listed below may be installed only if it does not have a continuously burning pilot light, and the building will still meet applicable All-Electric Building requirements as set forth in section 100.0 (e)2A:

a. Fan-type central furnaces.

b. Household cooking appliances.

Exception to Section 110.5(b): Household cooking appliances without an electrical supply voltage connection and in which each pilot consumes less than 150 Btu/hr.

c. Pool Heaters.

d. Spa Heaters.

e. Indoor and outdoor fireplaces.

Section 110.10, Mandatory Requirements for Solar Readiness, is amended to read as follows:

SECTION 110.10 – Mandatory Requirements for Solar Readiness.

a) Covered Occupancies.

1. Single Family Residences. Single family residences located in subdivisions with ten or more single family residences and where the application for a tentative subdivision map for the residences has been deemed complete approved by the enforcement agency, which do not have a photovoltaic system installed, shall comply with the requirements of Section 110.10(b) through 110.10(e).

2. Low-rise multifamily buildings. Residential buildings, other than single family, with less than 4 stories that do not have a photovoltaic system installed shall comply with the requirements of Section 110.10(b) through 110.10(d).

3. Hotel/motel occupancies and high rise multifamily buildings that do not have a photovoltaic system installed shall comply with the requirements of Section 110.10(b) through 110.10(d) and Table 2.

4. Nonresidential buildings with three habitable stories or fewer, other than I-2 and I-2.1 buildings, that do not have a photovoltaic system installed, shall comply with the requirements of Sections 110.10(b) through 110.10(d) and Table 2.

Table 2: Solar Panel Requirements for All New Nonresidential and High-Rise Residential Buildings
Square Footage of Building	Size of Panel
Less than 10,000 sq. ft.	Minimum of 3-kilowatt PV systems
Greater than or equal to 10,000 sq. ft.	Minimum of 5-kilowatt PV systems
EXCEPTION: As an alternative to a solar PV system, the building type may provide a solar hot water system (solar thermal) with a minimum collector area of 40 square feet, additional to any other solar thermal equipment otherwise required for compliance with Part 6.

b) Solar Zone.

1. Minimum Solar Zone Area. The solar zone shall have a minimum total area as described below. The solar zone shall comply with access, pathway, smoke ventilation, and spacing requirements as specified in Title 24, Part 9 or other Parts of Title 24 or in any requirements adopted by a local jurisdiction. The solar zone total area shall be comprised of areas that have no dimension less than five feet and are no less than 80 square feet each for buildings with roof areas less than or equal to 10,000 square feet or no less than 160 square feet each for buildings with roof areas greater than 10,000 square feet.

A. Single Family Residences. The solar zone shall be located on the roof or overhang of the building and have a total area no less than 250 square feet.

EXCEPTION 1 to Section 110.10(b)1A: Single family residences with a permanently installed domestic solar water-heating system meeting the installation criteria specified in the Reference Residential Appendix RA4 and with a minimum solar savings fraction of 0.50.

EXCEPTION 2 to Section 110.10(b)1A: Single family residences with three habitable stories or more and with a total floor area less than or equal to 2000 square feet and having a solar zone total area no less than 150 square feet.

EXCEPTION 3 to Section 110.10(b)1A: Single family residences located in the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area as defined in Title 24, Part 2 and having a whole house fan and having a solar zone total area no less than 150 square feet.

EXCEPTION 4 to Section 110.10(b)1A: Buildings with a designated solar zone area that is no less than 50 percent of the potential solar zone area. The potential solar zone area is the total area of any low-sloped roofs where the annual solar access is 70 percent or greater and any steep-sloped roofs oriented between 90 degrees and 300 degrees of true north where the annual solar access is 70 percent or greater. Solar access is the ratio of solar insolation including shade to the solar insolation without shade. Shading from obstructions located on the roof or any other part of the building shall not be included in the determination of annual solar access.

EXCEPTION 5 to Section 110.10(b)1A: Single family residences having a solar zone total area no less than 150 square feet and where all thermostats are demand responsive controls and comply with Section 110.12(a), and are capable of receiving and responding to Demand Response Signals prior to granting of an occupancy permit by the enforcing agency.

EXCEPTION 6 to Section 110.10(b)1A: Single family residences meeting the following conditions:

A. All thermostats are demand responsive controls that comply with Section 110.12(a), and are capable of receiving and responding to Demand Response Signals prior to granting of an occupancy permit by the enforcing agency.

B. Comply with one of the following measures:

i. Install a dishwasher that meets or exceeds the ENERGY STAR Program requirements with a refrigerator that meets or exceeds the ENERGY STAR Program requirements, a whole house fan driven by an electronically commutated motor, or an SAE J1772 Level 2 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE or EV Charger) with a minimum of 40 amperes; or

ii. Install a home automation system capable of, at a minimum, controlling the appliances and lighting of the dwelling and responding to demand response signals; or

iii. Install alternative plumbing piping to permit the discharge from the clothes washer and all showers and bathtubs to be used for an irrigation system in compliance with the California Plumbing Code and any applicable local ordinances; or

iv. Install a rainwater catchment system designed to comply with the California Plumbing Code and any applicable local ordinances, and that uses rainwater flowing from at least 65 percent of the available roof area.

B. Low-rise and High-rise Multifamily Buildings, Hotel/Motel Occupancies, and Nonresidential Buildings. The solar zone shall be located on the roof or overhang of the building or on the roof or overhang of another structure located within 250 feet of the building or on covered parking installed with the building project, and shall have a total area no less than 15 percent of the total roof area of the building excluding any skylight area. The solar zone requirement is applicable to the entire building, including mixed occupancy.

EXCEPTION 1 to Section 110.10(b)1B: High-rise Multifamily Buildings, Hotel/Motel Occupancies, and Nonresidential Buildings with a permanently installed solar electric system having a nameplate DC power rating, measured under Standard Test Conditions, of no less than one watt per square foot of roof area.

EXCEPTION 2 to Section 110.10(b)1B: High-rise multifamily buildings, hotel/motel occupancies with a permanently installed domestic solar water-heating system complying with Section 150.1(c)8Biii and an additional collector area of 40 square feet.

EXCEPTION 3 to Section 110.10(b)1B: Buildings with a designated solar zone area that is no less than 50 percent of the potential solar zone area. The potential solar zone area is the total area of any low-sloped roofs where the annual solar access is 70 percent or greater and any steep-sloped roofs oriented between 90 degrees and 300 degrees of true north where the annual solar access is 70 percent or greater. Solar access is the ratio of solar insolation including shade to the solar insolation without shade. Shading from obstructions located on the roof or any other part of the building shall not be included in the determination of annual solar access.

EXCEPTION 4 to Section 110.10(b)1B: Low-rise and high-rise multifamily buildings with all thermostats in each dwelling unit are demand response controls that comply with Section 110.12(a), and are capable of receiving and responding to Demand Response Signals prior to granting of an occupancy permit by the enforcing agency. In addition, either A or B below:

A. In each dwelling unit, comply with one of the following measures:

i. Install a dishwasher that meets or exceeds the ENERGY STAR Program requirements with either a refrigerator that meets or exceeds the ENERGY STAR Program requirements or a whole house fan driven by an electronically commutated motor; or

ii. Install a home automation system that complies with Section 110.12(a) and is capable of, at a minimum, controlling the appliances and lighting of the dwelling and responding to demand response signals; or

B. Meet the Title 24, Part 11, Section A4.106.8.2 requirements for electric vehicle charging spaces.

EXCEPTION 5 to Section 110.10(b)1B: Buildings where the roof is designed and approved to be used for vehicular traffic or parking or for a heliport.

EXCEPTION 6 to section 110.10(b)1B: Performance equivalency approved by the building official.

2. Azimuth. All sections of the solar zone located on steep-sloped roofs shall have an azmuth range and be oriented between 90 degrees and 300 degrees of true north.

3. Shading.

A. No obstructions, including but not limited to, vents, chimneys, architectural features, and roof mounted equipment, shall be located in the solar zone.

B. Any obstruction, located on the roof or any other part of the building that projects above a solar zone shall be located at least twice the distance, measured in the horizontal plane, of the height difference between the highest point of the obstruction and the horizontal projection of the nearest point of the solar zone, measured in the vertical plane.

EXCEPTION to Section 110.10(b)3: Any roof obstruction, located on the roof or any other part of the building, that is oriented north of all points on the solar zone.

C. The solar zone needs to account for shading from obstructions that may impact the area required in 110.10(b)1B. When determined by the Building Official that conditions exist where excessive shading occurs and solar zones cannot be met, a performance equivalency approved by the Building Official may be used as an alternative.

4. Structural Design Loads on Construction Documents. For areas of the roof designated as solar zone, the structural design loads for roof dead load and roof live load shall be clearly indicated on the construction documents.

NOTE: Section 110.10(b)4 does not require the inclusion of any collateral loads for future solar energy systems.

c) Interconnection Pathways.

1. The construction documents shall indicate a location reserved for inverters and metering equipment and a pathway reserved for routing of conduit from the solar zone to the point of interconnection with the electrical service.

2. For single family residences and central water-heating systems, the construction documents shall indicate a pathway for routing of plumbing from the solar zone to the water-heating system.

d) Documentation. A copy of the construction documents or a comparable document indicating the information from Sections 110.10(b) through 110.10(c) shall be provided to the occupant.

e) Main Electrical Service Panel.

1. The main electrical service panel shall have a minimum busbar rating of 200 amps.

2. The main electrical service panel shall have a reserved space to allow for the installation of a double pole circuit breaker for a future solar electric installation. The reserved space shall be permanently marked as "For Future Solar Electric".

(Ord. 1093 § 7, 2022).

12.16.020 Prohibition on conversion to mixed-fuel buildings.

No building that is required to be constructed as an all-electric building, or that currently uses electricity as its sole fuel source for appliances, space conditioning systems, water heating systems, pool and spa systems, or any other building systems, shall be altered or modified to use any fuel source other than electricity for appliances, space conditioning systems, water heating systems, pool and spa systems, or any other building systems. (Ord. 1093 § 7, 2022).