Los Gatos Municipal Code Art. VII California Energy Code

The 2025 California Energy Code (CEC), California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 6, is adopted by reference and amended as follows.

(2380, § 2, 12-2-25)

Section 100.0 is modified to add a new section (i) to read as follows:

(i) Single Family Building Remodel Energy Reach Code - Purpose and Intent.

In addition to all requirements of the California Energy Code applicable to Single Family building additions and alterations, the electric readiness measures specified in Sections 150.0(w) shall be required for certain single family additions and alterations.

Section 100.1(b) is modified by adding the following definitions:

LEVEL 2 ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING RECEPTACLE is a 208/240-volt 40-ampere minimum branch circuit and a receptacle.

LOW POWER LEVEL 2 ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING RECEPTACLE is a 208/240-volt 20-ampere minimum branch circuit and a receptacle.

A new Section, (w), is added to Section 150.0 as follows:

(w) Electric Readiness for Alterations.

1. Electric range. Where branch circuits or receptacles are added or altered in a kitchen and the work requires an electrical permit, install electrical components in accordance with the California Electrical Code. The electrical components shall include either of the following:

A. A 125-volt, 20-amp electrical receptacle that is connected to the electric panel with a 120/240-volt 3 conductor branch circuit rated at 50 amps minimum, within 3 feet from the appliance and accessible to the appliance with no obstructions. Both ends of the unused conductor shall be labeled with the word "spare" and be electrically isolated. Space shall be reserved for a single pole circuit breaker in the electrical panel adjacent to the circuit breaker for the branch circuit and labeled with the words "Future Use".

B. A pathway for a future 240-volt 50-amp minimum branch circuit that shall consist of either conductors or raceway from the main electrical service panel. The main electric panel shall have space reserved to allow for the installation of a double pole circuit breaker for a future electric range installation. The reserved space shall be permanently marked as "For Future 240V use". The raceway or conductors shall terminate at a junction box within 3 feet of the appliance. The blank cover shall be identified as "240V ready".

2. Electric dryer. Where a branch circuit is added or altered within 3 feet of a gas or propane clothes dryer and the work requires an electrical permit, install electrical components in accordance with the California Electrical Code. The electrical components shall include either of the following:

A. A dedicated 125-volt, 20-amp electrical receptacle that is connected to the electric panel with a 120/240-volt 3 conductor branch circuit rated at 30 amps minimum, within 3 feet from the appliance and accessible to the appliance with no obstructions. Both ends of the unused conductor shall be labeled with the word "spare" and be electrically isolated. Space shall be reserved for a single pole circuit breaker in the electrical panel adjacent to the circuit breaker for the branch circuit and labeled with the words "Future Use"; or,

B. A pathway for a future 240-volt 30-amp minimum branch circuit that shall consist of either conductors or raceway from the main electrical service panel. The main electric panel shall have space reserved to allow for the installation of a double pole circuit breaker for a future heat pump dryer installation. The reserved space shall be permanently marked as "For Future 240V use". The raceway or conductors shall terminate at a junction box within 3 feet of the appliance. The blank cover shall be identified as "240V ready".

3. Heat pump water heater.

A. If wall framing is removed or replaced within 3 feet of a gas or propane water heating appliance, space suitable for the future installation of a heat pump water heater (HPWH) shall be provided. The space shall be at least 2.5 feet by 2.5 feet wide and 7 feet tall and shall include a condensate drain that is no more than 2 inches higher than the base of an installed water heater and allows natural draining without pump assistance or installed piping or tubing within 3 feet of the water heater location to a condensate drain or exterior location. If pump assistance is needed, a receptacle on a 120 volt, minimum 15-amp branch circuit for a condensate pump must be available within 3 feet of the water heater location.

B. Where branch circuits are altered or added within 3 feet of an existing gas or propane water heater or within 10 feet of the designated future location of a heat pump water heater as required under Section 150.0(w)3A, and the work requires an electrical permit, install electrical components in accordance with the California Electrical Code. The electrical components shall include either of the following:

(i) A dedicated 125-volt, 20-amp electrical receptacle that is connected to the electric panel with a 120/240-volt 3 conductor, 10 AWG copper branch circuit rated at 30 amps minimum, within 3 feet from the water heater and accessible to the water heater with no obstructions. Both ends of the unused conductor shall be labeled with the word "spare" and be electrically isolated. Space shall be reserved for a single pole circuit breaker space in the electrical panel adjacent to the circuit breaker for the branch circuit and labeled with the words "Future 240V Use"; or

(ii) A pathway for a future 240-volt 30-amp minimum branch circuit that shall consist of either conductors or raceway from the main electrical service panel. The main electric panel shall have space reserved to allow for the installation of a double pole circuit breaker for a future HPWH installation. The reserved space shall be permanently marked as "For Future 240V use". The pathway shall terminate at a junction box within 3 feet of the appliance. The blank cover shall be identified as "240V ready".

4. Electrical Power Upgrades. Increases in the electrical power infrastructure capacity serving a building shall only be permitted when all the following are documented and submitted to the building official:

A. Calculations in accordance with California Electrical Code Article 220.83 determining future loads will exceed the capacity of the current electrical power infrastructure.

B. Where data is available, calculations in accordance with California Electrical Code Article 220.87 determining that future loads exceed the capacity of the current electrical service infrastructure.

C. Calculations for item (A) and item (B) above shall include at least one of the following:

i. At least one power management or circuit controlling device, serving electric-only appliances such as:

a. Water heater(s);

b. Clothes dryer(s);

c. Range(s);

d. Level 2 EV Charging Receptacle; or

e. Low Power Level 2 EV Charging Receptacle.

ii. At least one of the following electric-only appliances operating on 120V:

a. Water heater(s);

b. Clothes dryers(s);

c. Range(s).

iii. Circuit control between whole home load and Level 2 EV Charging Receptacle or Low Power Level 2 EV Charging Receptacle.

Exception 1 to Section 150.0(w)4: The upgrade is solely the result of a project proposing electrical improvements supporting loads related to devices and uses not regulated by 150.0(w).

Exception 1 to Section 150.0(w): The project is solely related to a repair as defined by Title 24 Part 2 Section 202.

Exception 2 to Section 150.0(w): If an electrical permit is not otherwise required for the project other than compliance with this section.

Exception 3 to Section 150.0(w): Where upgrades to the existing electrical panel or utility service are not proposed, electrical panel capacity shall not be required to exceed the existing utility electrical service to the building to meet compliance with this section. Capacity and overcurrent protection spaces shall be reserved to the extent allowable under the existing electrical panel capacity using the methodology in Section 150(w)4. Tandem overcurrent protection devices shall be used to the extent permissible under the California Electrical Code.

Exception 4 to Section 150.0(w): A Covered Single Family Project that consists solely of medically necessary improvements or solely of seismic safety improvements.

Exception 5 to Section 150.0(w): Mobile Homes, Manufactured Housing, or Factory-built Housing as defined in Division 13 of the California Health and Safety 12 Code (commencing with Section 17000 of the Health and Safety Code).

Exception 6 to Section 150.0(w): Emergency Housing pursuant to Appendix P of the California Building Code.

Exception 7 to Section 150.0(w): Creation of a new accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit that is within the existing space of a single family dwelling or accessory structure and includes an expansion of not more than 150 square feet beyond the same physical dimensions as the existing accessory structure. An expansion beyond the physical dimensions of the existing accessory structure shall be limited to accommodating ingress and egress. Or, if the project would not otherwise be a Covered Single Family Project were it not for the inclusion of an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit that meets the criteria above.

Section 150.2(b) is modified to read:

(b) Alterations. Alterations to existing single-family residential buildings or alterations in conjunction with a change in building occupancy to a single-family residential occupancy shall meet either Item 1 or 2 below, in addition to the requirements of 150.0(w).

(2380, § 2, 12-2-25)