Section 5.106.13 is added to read as follows:
5.106.13 All-electric buildings. New construction buildings and qualifying alteration projects shall comply with Section 5.106.13.1 or 5.106.13.2 so that they do not use combustion equipment or are ready to facilitate future electrification.
5.106.13.1. New construction and qualifying alteration projects. All newly constructed buildings shall be all-electric buildings. Alterations that include replacement of over 50 percent of the existing foundation for purposes other than a repair or reinforcement as defined in California Existing Building Code Section 202; or where over 50 percent of the existing framing above the sill plate is removed or replaced for purposes other than repair, shall be all-electric buildings. If either of these criteria are met within a three-year period, measured from the date of the most recent previously obtained permit final date, the project shall be subject to the all-electric buildings requirements.
Tenant improvements shall not be considered new construction. The final determination whether a project meets the definition of substantial reconstruction/alteration shall be made by the local enforcing agency.
Exceptions: |
1. | Nonresidential buildings containing kitchens located in a place of public accommodation, as defined in the California Building Code Chapter 2, may apply to the local enforcing agency for a modification to install commercial food heat-processing equipment served by fuel gas. The local enforcing agency may grant the modification if they find: |
| a. | A business-related need to cook with combustion equipment; and |
| b. | The need cannot be achieved equivalently with an electric heating appliance; and |
| c. | The applicant has installed energy efficient equipment based on Energy Star or California Energy Wise qualifications, as available. |
| d. | The applicant shall comply with Section 5.106.13.2. |
2. | Nonresidential buildings requiring industrial process heat, as defined in the California Building Code Chapter 2, may apply to the local enforcing agency for a modification to utilize fuel gas infrastructure for equipment requiring industrial process heat. The local enforcing agency may grant the modification if they find: |
| a. | A business-related need to use industrial process heat; and |
| b. | The need cannot be achieved equivalently with an electric heating. |
| c. | The applicant shall comply with Section 5.106.13.2. |
3. | If the applicant establishes that there is not an all-electric prescriptive compliance pathway for the building under the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards, and that the building is not able to achieve the performance compliance standard applicable to the building under the Energy Efficiency Standards using commercially available technology and an approved calculation method, then the local enforcing agency may grant a modification. The applicant shall comply with Section 5.106.13.2. |
Inactive Fuel Gas Infrastructure may be extended to spaces that are anticipated to qualify for the exceptions contained in this chapter. The inactive Fuel Gas Infrastructure shall not be activated, have a meter installed, or otherwise used unless the exemptions specified in this chapter have been confirmed as part of the issuance of a building permit. If the Fuel Gas Infrastructure is no longer serving one of the exceptions contained in this chapter, it shall either be capped, otherwise terminated, or removed by the entity previously entitled to the exemption, in a manner pursuant to all applicable Codes.
Pleasanton shall have the authority to approve alternative materials, design and methods of construction or equipment per California Building Code Section 104.
5.106.13.2. Requirements for combustion equipment. Where combustion equipment is allowed per exceptions under Section 5.106.13.1, the construction drawings shall indicate electrical infrastructure and physical space accommodating the future installation of an electrical heating appliance in the following ways, as certified by a registered design professional or licensed electrical contractor:
1. | Branch circuit wiring, electrically isolated and designed to serve all electrical heating appliances in accordance with manufacturer requirements and the California Electrical Code, including the appropriate voltage, phase, minimum amperage, and an electrical receptacle or junction box within five feet of the appliance that is accessible with no obstructions. Appropriately sized conduit may be installed in lieu of conductors; and |
2. | Labeling of both ends of the unused conductors or conduit shall be with "For Future Electrical Appliance"; and |
3. | Reserved circuit breakers in the electrical panel for each branch circuit, appropriately labeled (i.e "Reserved for Future Electric Range"), and positioned on the opposite end of the panel supply conductor connection; and |
4. | Connected subpanels, panelboards, switchboards, busbars, and transformers shall be sized to serve the future electrical heating appliances. The electrical capacity requirements shall be adjusted for demand factors in accordance with the California Electric Code; and |
5. | Physical space for future electrical heating appliances, including equipment footprint, and if needed a pathway reserved for routing of ductwork to heat pump evaporator(s), shall be depicted on the construction drawings. The footprint necessary for future electrical heating appliances may overlap with non-structural partitions and with the location of currently designed combustion equipment. |
(Ord. 2241 § 2, 2022; Ord. 2299, 10/21/2025)