TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Carrie Tai, AICP, Community Development Director
Dana Murray, Environmental Sustainability Manager
SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and Provide Direction on Potential Requirements for Increased Energy Efficiency of New Buildings (Community Development Director Tai).
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council discuss and provide direction to staff regarding potential requirements to increase energy efficiency of new buildings beyond state requirements.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There is no fiscal implication with conducting this discussion. Should City Council direct staff to develop new requirements, costs related to staff time and implementation will be incurred. Energy performance amendments parallel the structure and terms of the State code and as such, increases in plan check and inspection time are commensurate with the amendments. While this is not expected to significantly increase staff time, upfront costs associated with training and reference materials are expected. Any added costs of administering amendments may be reviewed when next updating permit fees.
BACKGROUND:
In 2019, City Council directed staff and the Sustainability Task Force to discuss options and provide recommendations for increasing energy efficiency of new buildings through a "reach code." A reach code is a local building energy code that "reaches" beyond the state minimum requirements for energy use in building design and construction, creating opportunities for local governments to lead beyond State requirements. Reach codes help encourage development of energy efficient sustainable buildings. California cities are rapidly implementing plans to cut pollution from homes and buildings to meet the State's energy targets for new construction. Targets aim to achieve zero net energy (ZNE) for all new residential...
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