Energy Performance Requirements
The Energy
Performance Approach Reach Code, called the “Energy Reach Code” or “Reach
Code” for short, was adopted by City Council on September 10, 2024. It replaces
the previously adopted Zero Emission Building Code, which required all new buildings to be fully electric.
Reach Code Details:
WHAT: The Reach Code is a local amendment to the 2022 California Energy Code called the “Energy Performance Approach”, and can be found in Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 8.36. The code applies an increased source energy margin requirement to all new buildings, including both electric and mixed-fuel designs, as shown in Table 1 below. The proposed Reach Code also includes electric readiness requirements from the adopted 2025 California Energy Code language, summarized below.
WHEN: The Reach Code will take effect following approval by the California Energy Commission, which is anticipated in mid-December. This webpage will be updated accordingly. Any project submitted prior to mid-December or the new effective date must comply with the 2022 California Energy Code and 2022 CALGreen standards.
Table 1.
Improved Energy Performance Standards
Electric Readiness Requirements
Single-Family Residential – heat pump hot water heaters are prescriptively required, and “electric ready” infrastructure is required for any building that includes a gas fueled furnace, clothes dryer, and/or cooktop.
Multi-Family Residential – “electric-ready” infrastructure is required in new multi-family residential units that include a gas fueled space heater, water heater, clothes dryer, and/or cooktop.
Non-Residential - reserved service panel, circuit breakers, and branch circuit wiring and physical space for future electrification to be included on all construction drawings.
Commercial Kitchens - service panel sized to accommodate future electrification (208v or 240v 50-amp breaker) and dedicated branch circuit wiring and outlet accessible for cooking appliances.
- Subchapter 2: Section 110.4 – Mandatory requirements for pool and spa systems
- Subchapter 3: Section 120.6 - Electric readiness for commercial kitchens
- Subchapter 4: Section 130.6 – Electric readiness for non-residential systems
- Subchapter 5: Section 140.1 – Non-residential compliance margins required under the performance approach
- Subchapter 8: Section 150.1 – Single Family compliance margin
- Subchapter 10: Section 160.9 – Multi-Family water heating electric readiness (Joint Appendix 15 from the 2025 California Energy Code)
- Subchapter 11: Section 170.1 – Multi-Family compliance margin
Resources
Energy Performance Approach Staff Report
California Codes & Standards Cost Effectiveness Studies
Pending Regional Requirements for Zero NOx Appliances - SCAQMD Rule 1146.2
Project applicants should review the new Southern California Air Quality Management District's (SCAQMD) Rule 1146.2 to ensure compliance with pending Zero NOx appliance requirements, which should take effect beginning in 2026. Gas water heaters and gas space heating equipment serving individual dwelling units cannot be installed in newly constructed buildings beginning on January 1, 2026. Compliance dates vary based on equipment type, use, and size, however, it is important to note that SCAQMD’s compliance dates apply to the installation date, not than the equipment manufacturer date. Learn more here.