Reach Codes (2020-2022)

Below is information about mandatory local green building and energy code amendments otherwise known as reach codes, that were effective for the 2019 Code Cycle (Jan. 1, 2020 - Dec. 31, 2022).

Building Electrification

All-electric buildings or "building electrification" refers to buildings that have no natural gas service. All-electric buildings have electric appliances for space and water heating, clothes drying, cooking, and more. By avoiding the use of natural gas, a fossil fuel, an all-electric building has a smaller carbon footprint. This local amendment encourages building electrification by allowing for two options for the construction of new buildings, either constructing an all-electric building or constructing a mixed-fuel building that meets higher efficiency standards that exceed the State’s requirements.

Effective January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020

Building Type	Reach Code
New Single Family and Duplex buildings	Two compliance pathways: 1) Mixed fuel: Proposed Design Building shall be 2.5 EDR points less than the Efficiency EDR (roughly 15% above State Code) 2) All-electric: 0% above State Code
New Buildings with Office Use (including mixed-use buildings)	Two compliance pathways: 1) Mixed fuel: 10% above State Energy Code 2) All-electric: 0% above State Energy Code
All other building types including Accessory Dwelling Units	No local amendment

Effective January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022

On October 5, 2020 the City Council adopted new reach codes requiring residential buildings and office buildings be constructed all-electric.

Building Type	Reach Code
New Residential Buildings (including single family and duplex homes, multifamily buildings and Accessory Dwelling Units)	Required to be constructed all-electric
New Buildings with Office Use (including mixed-use buildings	Required to be constructed all-electric
New Residential Buildings with 100% affordable units	Two compliance pathways: 1) Mixed fuel: must exceed State Energy Code 2) All-electric: 0% above State Energy Code See ordinance for details

Solar Installation

The 2019 Edition of the Building Standards Code will require solar installation on new construction of low-rise residential projects. The City’s reach code mandates minimum size solar photovoltaic installations on all other types of new construction. As an alternative, all projects may provide a solar hot water (solar thermal) system with a minimum collector area of 40 square feet.

Building Type	Reach Code
New Multifamily Buildings	Minimum 3 kilowatt photovoltaic system
New non-residential buildings of less than 10,000 square feet	Minimum 3 kilowatt photovoltaic system
New non-residential buildings 10,000 square feet or larger	Minimum 5 kilowatt photovoltaic system

Electric Vehicle Readiness

The City’s amendment will require a higher number of electric vehicle (EV) Capable parking spaces than what is required by the State for new construction projects. An EV Capable space contains electrical capacity and raceway; however it is not required to contain the actual electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) installed. In addition, the City’s amendment requires new non-residential projects to install EVSE in a portion of their parking spaces.

Building Type	Reach Code
New One- and Two-family dwellings and Town-houses	Require complete circuit and receptacle (outlet)
New Multifamily Buildings	15% EV Capable spaces
New Non-residential Buildings	10% EV Capable spaces and 5% EVSE installed spaces