Building Electrification & EV Infrastructure
Reach Code Initiative

Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE), Santa Clara County and the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability (OOS) are joining together to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within their service territories by developing forward-thinking building and transportation electrification reach codes. If your city is interested in adopting a reach code please see the model reach codes and resources for building electrification and electric vehicle infrastructure below. Once you are ready to adopt a reach code, visit the City Participation section to request support from your respective community choice aggregator (CCA).

Visit us here to stay in touch and for the latest updates on reach code resources and events as we finalize our content.

City Participation & PCE/SVCE/EBCE Support

Cities are encouraged to participate and avail themselves of the technical support by completing the “Stay in Touch” section below. To learn more about PCE & SVCE’s $10,000 incentive, review the letter of intent below. Please contact Blake Herrschaft (PCE), Alero Moju (OOS) or Anthony Eulo (SVCE) for eligibility.

PCE: Download Letter of Intent

SVCE: Letters of Intent were sent to your City Manager’s office. Please reach out to your CCA with specific questions.

Model Reach Codes

The following building electrification reach code language is based on the anticipated Investor-Owned Utilities Codes and Standards Program (IOU’s C&S) cost effectiveness studies. These studies will be listed under Supporting Resources.

Do you have any feedback you would like to share on our model codes or other aspects of our Initiative? We would appreciate your input!

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Building Electrification

Energy Performance Approach
(Source Energy Margin) Model Code

This model reach code was designed to mitigate legal risk by providing compliance pathways for all-electric and mixed-fuel buildings. The amendment is for Title 24 Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations, and can be used for Single Family, Multifamily, and Non-Residential New Construction buildings. It leverages a Design Rating, which is a carbon-based performance metric used to regulate energy performance. San Luis Obispo, San Jose, and Santa Cruz have adopted reach codes similar to this model code.

Energy Performance Approach Model Ordinance
Educational Slides

Updated August 2024


Existing Buildings
Electrification Ordinances

Existing Building Electrification can be more impactful in reaching GHG reduction goals, but it is more complex, higher cost, and has more equitable deployment considerations than new construction electrification. We encourage cities to use the below framework and policy planning tools and reach out to our team for support when they are getting started:

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

This model code was designed to exceed the 2022 CALGreen Intervening Code updates that will go into effect on July 1, 2024. In addition, this code took into account the proposed 2025 CALGreen Code updates to help minimize the amount of reach code updates the jurisdiction will need to conduct in upcoming years.

EVI Model Ordinance
Educational Slides

Updated March 2024


Reach Code Support Resources

Adoption Tools

Cost and Cost Effectiveness

Implementation Tools

What Are Reach Codes?

Every three years, cities and counties across the state can adopt local reach codes in line with the new Building Standards Code (Standards) or Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. Cities and counties may adopt building codes more advanced than those required by the state, which are known as reach codes.

Reach codes aim to update local building codes concurrently with the state-required adoption of the 2022 Standards. The previous adoption cycle with new Standards took effect January 1, 2020. The next reach code adoption cycle, to coincide with the 2022 Title 24 Standards will go into effect January 1, 2023.

Cities may also choose to adopt municipal code amendments that transcend the building code cycle and can be adopted indefinitely.

Why Establish Reach Codes?

The benefits of greenhouse gases (GHG) free electricity can best be realized by electrification of new and existing buildings and transportation vehicles. Electrification transitions buildings and vehicles away from natural gas and gasoline to clean energy provided by PCE, SVCE and EBCE. By developing electrification reach codes, cities can save energy and reduce GHG emissions in San Mateo, Santa Clara County and Alameda County. All-electric buildings are safer and healthier to live in along with being cost effective, especially when adopted at the new construction stage.

It is most efficient for cities to coordinate adoption of reach codes with the adoption of the new 2022 building code, taking effect January 1, 2023.

Video: How Heat Pumps Work 

Video: 5 Benefits of Induction Cooking

Video: Why an Electric Home is Better

Process & Timeline

Contact PCE/SVCE/EBCE to understand resources available*

Conduct community engagement

Draft local amendments

Submit to council for review**

Application to Energy Commission***

File with Building Standards Commission

*Letter of Intent for $10,000 support grant from your local CCA

**Payment of $10,000 support grant from your local CCA

***Only required for Part 6 submissions

Policymaking Resources

Building Electrification Cost Effectiveness

Electric Vehicle Cost Effectiveness

Design Guidelines for Home Electrification

Click here to view the Design Guidelines for Home Electrification

FAQ

View our 2022 Municipal Reach Code Initiative FAQs here.

Upcoming Events

External Events

Past Events

External Events

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