Every three years, California updates its building code. Local “Reach Codes” — Piedmont’s energy efficiency requirements that go beyond the state minimum — must be updated at the same time.
As Sustainability Division staff prepare proposed updates for City Council consideration, we want to know:
• whether residents are aware of existing Reach Codes
• what their experience has been with Reach Code projects, if they’ve completed one
• how they would prioritize improvements when choosing from a menu of energy efficiency options
The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete and is available HERE.
Reach Codes help reduce fossil fuel use by incorporating energy efficiency into home renovations
Piedmont’s current reach codes, first adopted in 2021, require that certain measures be incorporated into building projects for single-family homes, including:
• adding solar panels on new second stories or substantially expanded roofs
• installing electric vehicle charging circuits during garage renovations over $50,000 in value
• when upgrading the main electric panel, ensuring it is sized for future electrification
• adding circuits for electric appliances as part of kitchen or laundry area renovations
• incorporating one or more energy efficiency measures from a menu of options for renovation projects that meet certain value thresholds
For the 2025 reach code updates, staff are exploring options that would make energy efficiency requirements easier to meet, including:
• increasing project cost triggers to reflect inflation
• incentivizing higher impact measures
• adding menu options to give Piedmonters more choices
Proposed updates are expected to come before the City Council later this year