Renewable Energy and Reduction of GHG Emissions
The latest update to the California Building Code (CBC) was adopted by Ordinance No. 675 and is effective as of January 1st, 2023. The CBC requires new construction be more energy efficient and includes solar requirements for new residential construction. Further demonstrating its leadership in sustainability, through Ordinance 675, the City of Brisbane has chosen to exceed the state’s standards by requiring new residential and non-residential development to be all electric, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and will also need to provide electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The 2022 CBC also requires all new residential and nonresidential building to install a new solar energy and battery storage system.
As set forth in Section 15.04.043 of the Brisbane Municipal Code, for both residential and non-residential buildings, only if an applicant establishes that (1) there is not an all-electric prescriptive pathway for the building under the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards, and (2) the building is not able to achieve the performance compliance standards applicable to the building using commercially available technology and an approved calculation method, may a modification be provided. Because, however, of a recent court decision, at this time, the City is strongly encouraging, but not requiring, that all new development be all electric. Nevertheless, applicants should be prepared to explain why installing natural gas is beneficial to the project and remember that all new construction must be pre-wired for electric appliances. Please refer to our handout on why and how you should go electric!
The provisions of the ordinance does not apply to existing homes or businesses; so remodels and additions to existing structures will not be subject to these requirements, although the City continues to encourage solar installations on existing buildings and has a streamlined permitting process for those applications (see the Residential Rooftop Solar Page). Opportunities to save money and contribute to a more efficient, safe, and comfortable environment in existing structures are available through the Brisbane Building Efficiency Program. An important streamlining ordinance to facilitate solar retrofits on existing building is Ordinance 622, which finds that flush-mounted rooftop solar systems are exempt from building height limits. To be considered flush-mounted, the panels may not extend more than twenty-four (24) inches above the roofline of the structure on which they are mounted, measured from the exterior roofing material to the highest point of the panel. Non-flush mounted panels extending more than 24 inches above the roofline are still subject to compliance with the building height limits of the zoning district in which the building is located.
If you have questions regarding these code provisions, or if you have other questions about building construction requirements, please contact the Community Development Department at (415) 508-2120.
