Article III — Non-Administrative (Technical) Amendments

For newly constructed single-family buildings, the total source energy (EDR1) of the Proposed Design Building shall be less than the EDR1 of the Standard Design Building by a compliance margin of 4.5.

For newly constructed low-rise multifamily buildings, the energy budget, expressed in terms of source energy, shall be at least eight (8) percent lower than that of the Standard Design Building.

(Ord. No. 13860, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Newly constructed multifamily residential buildings of two (2) or more habitable floors shall be equipped with mechanical ventilation systems that provide balanced, filtered air to each dwelling unit.

The filtration provided shall be rated at a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of sixteen (16) or shall have a particle size efficiency rating equal to or greater than fifty (50) percent in the 0.3—1.0 micrometer range and equal to or greater than eighty-five (85) percent in the 1.0—3.0 micrometer range.

(Ord. No. 13860, § 4, 9-15-2025)

The mandatory provisions of this Section shall apply to alterations of existing residential buildings or dwelling units for which a building permit application is submitted and where the total construction valuation exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).

All projects:

Electrical Panel Readiness Assessment

Evaluate the main electrical service panel to determine its capacity to support foil electrification of the building. This includes assessing readiness for converting existing gas systems to electric, installing one low-amperage one hundred twenty-volt or two hundred forty-volt electric vehicle (EV) charger if dedicated onsite parking is available, and integrating commercially available, power-efficient design measures such as circuit-sharing or circuit-pausing devices. Load calculations should be performed in accordance with California Electrical Code Article 220.83 or 220.87 to document the panel's ability to accommodate potential future electrical loads.

Projects subject to this section shall in addition to the above, install any two (2) of the following measures:

a.

Heat Pump Water Heater Ready, as specified in Section 150.0(n)1 or 160.9(e), 160.9(f) of the California Energy Code.

b.

Heat Pump Space Heater Ready, as specified in Section 150.0(t) or l60.9(b) of the California Energy Code.

c.

Electric Cooktop Ready, as specified in Section 150.0(u) or 160.9(c) of the California Energy Code. For existing buildings, it shall be acceptable to install a dedicated 120V 20A receptacle behind an existing gas range, for installation of a future power managed electric range.

d.

Electric Clothes Dryer Ready, as specified in Section 150.0(v) or 160.9(d) of the California Energy Code. For smaller buildings with room for only a single machine it shall be acceptable to provide a combination NEMA 5-20/NEMA 6-20 receptacle for a future all-in-one washer and heat pump dryer.

e.

Level 1 or Level 2 EV Charger Ready. Install a dedicated one hundred twenty-volt or two hundred forty-volt branch circuit and receptacle for a future Level 1 or Level 2 Electric Vehicle charger. Provision of one-inch trade size conduit to a suitable EV charging location, and a reserved breaker shall be sufficient, allowing for future load management means wires to be pulled. If the home has both driveway parking and garage parking, conduit must be pulled to both locations.

f.

Attic and wall insulation. Install attic and wall insulation in attic and walls as per prescriptive requirements for the buildings framing. However, for wall insulation on older stucco homes the applicant must demonstrate the walls have sufficient integrity of the water barrier, to avoid wet insulation failure.

g.

Energy Storage Systems (BESS) ready as specified in Section 150(s) of the California Energy Code. Buildings with an existing ESS cannot use this item.

h.

Solar System ready as specified in Section 150(r) of the California Energy Code. Meeting all requirements of Section 110.10 applicable to the building project.

Exemptions: 1) Buildings constructed on or after January 1, 2023 are exempt from all requirements, as these buildings are substantially more energy-efficient than older buildings, 2) Panel capacity is not required to exceed the existing utility electrical service to the building to meet the requirements of this section, 3) Emergency housing, 4) ADU conversions pursuant to Government Code 66323, 5) Structural only

alterations such as foundation replacement, 6) Noninterior alterations such as exterior cladding replacement/repairs, windows, decks.

(Ord. No. 13860, § 4, 9-15-2025)

(Ord. No. 13860, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Amendments to Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 15.04 Part 11 (2025 California Green Building Standards Code)

Amendments to Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 15.04 Part 11 (2025 California Green Building Standards Code)

15.06.3.11000 - Prevailing provisions.

Wherever the provisions of the California Green Building Standards Code conflict with the provisions of City of Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 18.02—Sustainable Green Building Requirements for Private Development, the provisions resulting in the greater number of electric vehicle service equipment and electric vehicle charging stations shall prevail.

(Ord. No. 13860, § 4, 9-15-2025)

15.06.3.11010 - CGBSC Section 301.1.1 amended.

Delete Section 301.1.1 of the California Green Building Standards Code, in it's entirety and replace with "The mandatory provisions of Chapter 4 shall be applied to all additions regardless of if the space is conditioned or not and to all alterations with a valuation equal to or greater than $25,000 and shall apply to all residential buildings as per CGBSC 301.2."

(Ord. No. 13860, § 4, 9-15-2025)

15.06.3.11015 - Section CGBSC 4.106.4.2.5 Identification, added.

The service panel or subpanel circuit directory shall identify the overcurrent protective device space(s) reserved for future EV charging as "EV READY" for foil circuits and otherwise "EV CAPABLE." The raceway termination location shall be permanently and visibly marked as "EV READY" for foil circuits and otherwise "EV CAPABLE."

Notes:

The California Department of Transportation adopts and publishes the "California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (California MUTCD)" to provide uniform standards and specifications for all official traffic control devices in California. Zero Emission Vehicle Signs and Pavement Markings can be found in the New Policies & Directives Number 13-01. Website: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/safety-programs/camutcd.

See Vehicle Code Section 22511 for EV charging space signage in off-street parking facilities and for use of EV charging spaces.

The Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) published a "Zero-Emission Vehicle Community Readiness Guidebook" which provides helpful information for local government, residents and businesses. Website: https://lci.ca.gov/docs/ZEV_Guidebook.pdf.

(Ord. No. 13860, § 4, 9-15-2025)

15.06.3.11020 - CGBSC Section 4.106.4.2.6 added.

In Section 4.106.4.2 of the California Green Building Standards Code, add new Subsection 4.106.4.2.6: