Proposed 2026-2028 Green Building and Local Energy Code Update

Every three years jurisdictions like the City of Palo Alto have the opportunity to make local amendments to the Statewide Energy and Green Building Codes. Staff began the process update the City’s green building regulations and energy reach code with a target effective date of January 1, 2026. Due to anticipated delays in the statewide cost-effectiveness studies, any multifamily or nonresidential energy reach codes are tentatively planned for a delayed adoption in July 2026.

The proposed regulations would promote water conservation, lower embodied carbon in new construction projects, reduce fossil fuel use in buildings, and facilitate electric vehicle adoption. These goals are consistent with Palo Alto’s sustainability and climate goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2030.

Proposed Reach Code Amendments

Single-Family Residential

  1. When an air conditioner is replaced, either replace with a heat pump or implement additional energy efficiency measures (e.g. attic insulation, air sealing)
  2. Starting in 2027, when a gas water heater is replaced, require replacement with a heat pump water heater or implement solar thermal if installing a gas water heater
  3. Require certain types of remodels to implement a flexible subset of energy efficiency and electrification measures from a provided list of options
  4. Require net building emissions to be lower than Statewide standards

Multi-family and Non-Residential

  1. Allow LEED certification as an alternative to CALGreen Tier 1 and Tier 2 standards for non-residential buildings
  2. Require new buildings over 25,000 sf to comply with measures to reduce embodied carbon (required statewide for buildings over 50,000 sf)
  3. Require net building emissions lower than Statewide standards

Background

Every three years, the State of California adopts new building standards that are codified in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, referred to as the California Building Standards Code. While the State sets the minimum building standards, local jurisdictions can enact more stringent local building standards based on unique local climatic, geologic, and topographic conditions. 

The goal of Palo Alto’s Green Building Ordinance and Energy Reach Code is to design, build, and operate a new generation of efficient, environmentally responsible, and healthy buildings. These local ordinances establish standards that exceed the state’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards and Green Building Standards, which in turn cover the areas of water efficiency, material conservation, resource efficiency, indoor air quality, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The Palo Alto Green Building Ordinance applies to new construction projects as well as additions and alterations projects.

Timeline

Palo Alto is engaging the community and stakeholders for input on the proposed regulations. The City is hosting a community meeting this summer to present the proposed Reach Codes that will go before the City Council for approval in the fall. See the full project timeline below.

January 2025 - July 2025: Develop Green Building and Local Energy Reach Code Proposals

August 13, 2025: Public Engagement Meeting

September 5, 2025: Climate Action & Sustainability Committee meeting on proposed amendments

October 6, 2025: Council First reading on proposed amendments

October 27, 2025: Council Second reading and adoption of proposed amendments

January 1, 2026: Adopted Reach Codes will go into effect

Palo Alto's Green Building Leadership

Palo Alto was one of the first in the nation to adopt a Climate Protection Plan in 2007. In 2016, Palo Alto City Council committed to an ambitious a goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 80% of its 1990 levels by 2030. The City has long used green building and energy reach regulations as a strategy for achieving its climate action and sustainability goals. The City adopted its first set of Green Building Ordinance and Energy Reach Code in 2008 and has since adopted expanded versions every three years during the Building Code adoption process.

Palo Alto has been a pioneer in adopting innovative green building and building energy efficiency mandates. Below are a few examples:

  • EV-readiness for all new detached single-family homes since 2013
  • EV-readiness for all residential units in new multifamily buildings since 2014
  • Dual plumbing for potable and recycle water systems for toilet and urinal flushing in certain non-residential buildings since 2015
  • Increased energy efficiency standards for mixed-fueled new construction projects above the State’s building energy efficiency standards (Title 24)

For the 2020-2022 building code cycle, mixed-fuel nonresidential new construction projects were required to exceed the State’s building efficiency standards by 5-12%, and also pre-wired for future electrification.

Related Resources

Ways to Engage

Contact Us

Provide feedback on the proposed regulations, ask questions, or share comments to:

GreenBuilding@paloalto.gov

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