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2022 Building Reach Codes Update
California leads the country in energy and resource conservation through the adoption of building codes. Every three years, the California Energy Commission (CEC) along with the Building Standards Commission (BSC) makes edits to the International Building Code series to create the California Building Code series, inclusive of separate codes for each construction discipline: Building, Residential, Fire, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Energy, and Cal Green. Benefits to the restrictive measures put into these codes allows the CEC to: reduce carbon outgas, conserve water and energy, ensure clean water and air, limit environmental degradation. Efforts continue each year to increase performance efficiencies of buildings we construct.
The CEC and the BSC writes one building code for the entire state and encourages each city or county to adopt more restrictive Reach Codes that will further protect human life and conserve state resources specific to each region regarding: population, potential disaster, climate, available resources and energy.
What are Reach Codes?
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 the way on clear air, climate solutions, and the renewable energy economy. while creating roadmaps for other local governments to take action as well.
How often does California update their 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.
What are some examples of Reach Codes?
| THE FOLLOWING REACH CODE EXAMPLES CAN BE REQUIRED IN NEW DEVELOPMENTS: (Examples from 2016 Code Cycle in Bay Area cities) |
| Requiring solar panels on one or more types of new buildings |
| Requiring reduced outdoor lighting |
| Requiring cool roofs |
| THE FOLLOWING REACH CODES EXAMPLES ARE MORE COMPLICATED REACH CODES BUT ALSO ALLOW GREATER FLEXIBILITY: (Examples from 2016 Code Cycle in Bay Area cities) |
| Exceeding minimum building energy performance by 15% |
| Exceeding minimum building energy performance if solar panels are not installed, by different amounts for different types of development |
| THE FOLLOWING REACH CODE EXAMPLE CAN ALSO TAKE A PRESCRIPTIVE AND PERFORMANCE APPROACH: |
| Having different solar panels and performance requires for different sizes of residential buildings, but a home which is all-electric or which is Passive House certified does not need to meet these. |
Upcoming Meetings
City Council Meeting (Consider Adoption) [Tentative]
Date: November 1, 2022
Time: 7:30 PM
Meeting Materials: Coming soon!
Meeting Link: Coming soon!
Presentation Materials: Coming soon!
Community Meeting (Gathering Community Input)
Date: October 17, 2022
Time: 6:00pm
Meeting (Through Zoom Link Only): 2022 Building Reach Code Updates (Zoom)
Presentation Materials: Coming soon!
Past Meetings
City Council Meeting
Date: October 4, 2022
Meeting Materials: Click here
Meeting Link: Click here
Where Can I Learn More?
More information about the project will be provided periodically on this page. You may join upcoming webinars/public workshops for the latest information on Reach Code Update status and published documents.