Santa Clara County Municipal Code Art. 2 Additions, Deletions, and Amendments to 2025 California Green Building…

Additions, deletions, and amendments to the CGBSC are as set forth in this article.

(Ord. No. NS-1100.138, § 4, 12-9-25)

Chapter 2 of the CGBSC is adopted with the following amendments:

(a) Section 202 (Definitions) is amended to delete and to replace each of the definitions for the following terms: Automatic Load Management System, Electric Vehicle (EV) Capable Space, and Electric Vehicle Charging Station; to add the following newly defined terms: Level 1 EV Space and Level 2 EV Ready Space; and to delete the defined term Level 2 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, as follows:

Automatic Load Management System (ALMS). A control system that allows multiple Level 2 EV chargers to share a circuit or panel and automatically reduce power at each charger, providing the opportunity to reduce electrical infrastructure costs and/or provide demand response capability. ALMS is only allowed for Level 2 EVCS, Level 2 EV Ready, and Level 1 EV Ready Spaces. ALMS systems must be designed to deliver at least 1.4kW per charger. The connected amperage on-site shall not be lower than the required connected amperage per Part 11 of the CGBSC for the relevant building types.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Capable Space. A parking space served by a designated electrical panel with sufficient capacity to provide 110/120 volts at 20 amperes to the parking space, with raceways connecting the electrical panel and parking space that are installed in areas that will be inaccessible in the future, such as trenched underground or where penetrations to walls, floors, or other construction would otherwise be required for future installation of branch circuits. Raceways must be at least 1 inch in diameter and may be sized for multiple circuits as allowed by the County Electrical Code. The panel circuit directory shall identify the spaces reserved for EV charging as "EV CAPABLE." Construction documents shall indicate future completion of the raceway from the panel to the parking space, using the installed raceway sections in the inaccessible areas.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS). A parking space that includes installation of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) with a minimum output of 30 amperes connected to a Level 2 EV Ready Space. EVCS installation may be used to satisfy a Level 2 EV Ready Circuit requirement.

Level 1 EV Ready Space. A parking space served by a complete electric circuit with a minimum of 110/120 volt, 20-ampere capacity, including electrical panel capacity; an overprotection device; a minimum 1 inch diameter raceway that may include multiple circuits as allowed by the County Electrical Code; properly sized conductors; grounding and bonding; and either (a) a receptacle labeled "Electric Vehicle Outlet" with at least a ½ inch font adjacent to the parking space, or (b) labeled Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE).

Level 2 EV Ready Space. A parking space served by a complete electric circuit with a minimum of 208/240 volt, 40-ampere capacity, including the required electrical panel capacity; an overcurrent protection device; a minimum 1 inch diameter raceway that may include multiple circuits as allowed by the County Electrical Code; properly sized conductors; grounding and bonding; and either (a) a receptacle labeled "Electric Vehicle Outlet" with a minimum ½ inch font, adjacent to the parking space, or a blank labeled Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) with a minimum output of 40 amperes.

(Ord. No. NS-1100.138, § 4, 12-9-25)

Chapter 4 of the CGBSC is adopted with the following amendments:

(a) Section 4.106.4 (Electric vehicle (EV) charging for new construction) is amended to read as follows:

Chapter 5 of the CGBSC is adopted with the following amendments:

(a) Section 5.106.5.3 (Electric vehicle (EV) charging) is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

5.106.5.3 Electric vehicle (EV) charging. New construction shall comply with Section 5.106.5.3.1 or Section 5.106.5.3.2 to facilitate future installation and use of EV chargers.

Exceptions:

1. Where there is no commercial power supply.

2. Installation if each Direct Current Fast Charger with the capacity to provide at least 80 kW output may substitute for 11 Level 2 EVCS spaces after a minimum of 11 Level 2 EVCS spaces are installed.

(b) Section 5.106.5.3.1. (EV capable spaces) is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Appendix A4 (Residential Voluntary Measures) of Chapter 4 of the CGBSC is adopted with the following amendments:

(a) Division A4.2 (Energy Efficiency), Sections A4.201, A4.202, and A4.203 are deleted in their entirety.

(b) Section A4.601.1 (Scope) is amended to read as follows:

A4.601.1 Scope. The measures contained in this appendix are mandatory for new single-family dwellings equal to or greater than 3,000 square feet in area and new multi-family residential dwellings equal to or greater than 25,000 square feet in area. The provisions of this section outline means of achieving enhanced construction or reach levels by incorporating additional green building measures. In order to meet one of the tier levels designers, builders or property owners are required to incorporate additional green building measures necessary to meet the threshold of each level.

(c) Section A4.601.4.2 (Prerequisite and elective measures for Tier 1) is amended to delete subsection 2 (From Division A4.2, Energy Efficiency).

(d) Section A4.601.5 (Tier 2) is deleted in its entirety.

(Ord. No. NS-1100.138, § 4, 12-9-25)

Appendix A5 (Nonresidential Voluntary Measures) of Chapter 5 of the CGBSC is adopted with the following amendments:

(a) Section A5.106.5.3 (Electric vehicle (EV) charging) is deleted in its entirety.

(b) Division A5.2 (Energy Efficiency) is deleted in its entirety.

(c) Section A5.601.1 (Scope) is amended to read as follows:

A5.601.1. Scope. The measures contained in this appendix are mandatory for new commercial buildings equal to or greater than 25,000 square feet in area. The provisions of this section outline means of achieving enhanced construction or reach levels by incorporating additional green building measures for newly constructed nonresidential buildings as well as additions. In order to meet one of the tier levels designers, builders, or property owners are required to incorporate additional green building measures necessary to meet the threshold of each level. Refer to the provisions in Section 301.3 for nonresidential additions and alterations scope and application.

(d) Section A5.601.2.3 (Tier 1) is deleted in its entirety.

(e) Section A5.601.3 (CALGreen Tier 2) is deleted in its entirety.

(Ord. No. NS-1100.138, § 4, 12-9-25)