La Quinta Municipal Code Ch. 8.14 Energy Code

Certain documents marked and designated as the "2025 California Energy Code," published by the California Building Standards Commission, are adopted to make businesses, homes, and appliances more energy efficient through the development and implementation of energy efficiency building practices.

Each and all of the regulations, provisions, conditions and terms therein, on file with the building official, are referenced and made a part hereof as if fully set out in this chapter, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

(Ord. 627 § 18(Exh. A), 12-16-2025; Ord. 604 § 4, Exh. A(19), 2022; Ord. 581 § 4, 2019; Ord. 551 § 4, 2016; Ord. 517 § 4, 2013; Ord. 483 § 2, 2010; Ord. 447 § 2, 2007; Ord. 417 Exh. A(13), 2005)

Section 110.4(c) of the 2025 California Energy Code is amended to read as follows:

(c) Heating source sizing. Heating systems or equipment for pools and/or spas shall meet one of the sizing requirements 1 through 5 below:

1. A solar pool heating system with a solar collector surface area that is equivalent to the following:

A. For nonresidential and multifamily buildings, 65 percent or greater of the pool and/or spa surface area.

B. For single-family buildings, 60 percent or greater of the pool and/or spa surface area.

2. A heat pump pool heater as the primary heating system that meets the sizing requirements of Reference Joint Appendix JA16.3. The supplementary heater can be of any energy source; or

3. A heating system that derives at least 60 percent of the annual heating energy from on-site renewable energy or on-site recovered energy.

4. A combination of a solar pool heating system and heat pump pool heater without any additional supplementary heater; or

5. A pool heating system determined by the Executive Director to use no more energy than the systems specified in Items 1, 2, 3, or 4 above.

Exception 1 to Section 110.4(c): Portable electric spas compliant with 20 CCR § 1605.3(g)(7) of the Appliance Efficiency Regulations.

Exception 2 to Section 110.4(c): Alterations to existing pools and/or spas with existing heating systems or equipment.

Exception 3 to Section 110.4(c): A pool and/or spa that is heated solely by a solar pool heating system without any backup heater.

Exception 4 to Section 110.4(c): Heating systems that are used exclusively for permanent spa applications in existing buildings with gas availability.

Exception 5 to Section 110.4(c): Heating systems that are used exclusively for permanent spa applications where there is an inadequate Solar Access Roof Area (SARA) as specified in Section 150.l(c)l4 for a solar pool heating system to be installed.

Exception 6 to Section 110.4(c): Gas-fueled heating equipment compliant with federal appliance efficiency standards in areas with existing gas availability.

(Ord. 627 § 19(Exh. A), 12-16-2025)