FROM:
Erica Freeman, P.E., R.A., Building Official
SUBJECT:
title
Introduction and first reading of an Amendment to the San Anselmo Municipal Code adding Chapter 24 "All Electric Construction in Newly Constructed Residential Buildings" to Title 9 "Building Regulations"; and Amendment to Chapter 9-19 "Green Building Requirements" for consistency.
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RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
1. That the Town Council hold a public hearing to consider the Ordinance Amendment.
2. Make a motion to introduce the Ordinance by title only and to waive future readings in their entirety.
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BACKGROUND
On March 8, 2022, Council provided direction to staff on the electrification of new residential construction, see Attachment 2. Confronting climate change and promoting environmental sustainability are important goals for the Town of San Anselmo. The Town's Climate Action Plan sets forth the Town's environmental goals and policies. Recently, there has been a growing push to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by requiring all new buildings to be electric-only. Staff proposes an amendment to the Town Code requiring that all new residential construction include electric-only sources of power as one tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and further the use of cleaner electric power.
DISCUSSION
The main provision of the proposed Ordinance Amendment would be to require that all new residential buildings must completely utilize electricity as a permanent source of power. No natural gas or propane infrastructure would be allowed in newly constructed buildings.
The State of California adopts new building standards every three years, codified in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations known as the California Building Standards Code. ("California Building Code." Municipalities adopt the California Building Code by reference into their own local codes. San Anselmo adopted its most recent update in November 2019, Title 9, Chapter 1 "Construction Codes". The California Bu...
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