Chapter 15.38 — GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

This chapter shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the "Green Building Standards Code" for the City of Santa Clara. (Ord. 2081, 11/4/2025)

The "2025 California Green Building Standards Code" adopted by the State Building Standards Commission in California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24 , Part 11 is hereby adopted by reference, with changes and modifications as hereinafter set forth, as the Green Building Standards Code of the City of Santa Clara.

(Ord. 2081, 11/4/2025)

2025 California Green Building Standards Code, Chapter 1, Definitions, Section 202 (Definitions) is hereby amended by adding the following definitions:

EV Capable: A parking space linked to a listed electrical panel with sufficient capacity to provide at least 110/120 volts and 20 amperes to the parking space. Raceways linking the electrical panel and parking space only need to be installed in spaces that will be inaccessible in the future, either trenched underground or where penetrations to walls, floors, or other partitions would otherwise be required for future installation of branch circuits. Raceways must be at least 1" in diameter and may be sized for multiple circuits as allowed by the California Electrical Code. The panel circuit directory shall identify the overcurrent protective device space(s) reserved for EV charging as "EV CAPABLE." Construction documents shall indicate future completion of raceway from the panel to the parking space, via the installed inaccessible raceways. The parking space shall contain signage with at least a 1/2" font adjacent to the parking space indicating the space is designated as EV Capable for future connection of infrastructure at the designed voltage and amperage levels.

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, overprotection device, a minimum 1" diameter raceway that may include multiple circuits as allowed by the California Electrical Code, wiring, and either a) a receptacle labelled "Electric Vehicle Outlet" with at least a 1/2" font adjacent to the parking space, or b) electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).

Low Power Level 2 EV Ready Space: A parking space served by a complete electric circuit with 208/240 volt, 20 ampere minimum branch circuit capacity including electrical panel capacity, overprotection device, a minimum 1" diameter raceway that may include multiple circuits as allowed by the California Electrical Code, wiring, and either a) a receptacle labelled "Electric Vehicle Outlet" with at least a 1/2" font adjacent to the parking space, or b) electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) with a minimum output of 15 amperes.

Level 2 EV Ready Space: A parking space served by a complete electric circuit with 208/240 volt, 40-ampere capacity including electrical panel capacity, overprotection device, a minimum 1" diameter raceway that may include multiple circuits as allowed by the California Electrical Code, wiring, and either a) a receptacle labelled "Electric Vehicle Outlet" with at least a 1/2" font adjacent to the parking space, or b) electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) with a minimum output of 30 amperes.

Level 3/Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC): A parking space that includes the installation of a charger with the capacity to provide at least 80 kW of output.

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

Space requirement. Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code, Article 625.

Affordable Housing: Residential buildings that entirely consist of units below market rate and whose rents or sales prices are governed by local agencies to be affordable based on area median income.

(Ord. 2081, 11/4/2025)

• (a) 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, Chapter 4, Mandatory Measures, Division 4.1, Planning and Design, Section 4.106.4 (Electric vehicle (EV) charging for new construction) is hereby amended to read as follows:

4.106.4. Electric vehicle (EV) charging for new construction. New construction shall comply with Sections 4.106.4.1 or 4.106.4.2 to facilitate future installation and use of EV chargers. Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code, Article 625.

Exceptions:

As per the CalGreen code, the Chief Building Official will make determinations of exceptions.

1. On a case-by-case basis, where the local enforcing agency has determined EV charging and infrastructure are not feasible based upon one or more of the following conditions:

   • 1.1 Where there is no local utility power supply or the local utility is unable to supply adequate power.

   • 1.2 Where there is evidence suitable to the local enforcing agency substantiating that additional local utility infrastructure design requirements, directly related to the implementation of Section 4.106.4, may adversely impact the construction cost of the project.

2. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADU) without additional parking facilities, and without electrical panel upgrade or new panel installation. ADUs and JADUs without additional parking but with electrical panel upgrades or new panels must have reserved breakers and electrical capacity according to the requirements of 4.106.4.1.

3. Spaces Accessible only by automated mechanical car parking systems are excepted from providing EV charging infrastructure.

• (b) 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 4, Residential Mandatory Measures, Division 4.1, Planning and Design, Section 4.106.4.1 (New one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses with attached private garages) is hereby amended to read as follows:

• (a) 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 5, Nonresidential Mandatory Measures, Division 5.1, Planning and Design, Section 5.106.5.3 (Electric vehicle (EV) charging) is hereby amended by adding the following exception after exception 2:

  3. Installation of each Level 3/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) 2025 California Green Building Standards Code Chapter 5, Nonresidential Mandatory Measures, Division 5.1, Planning and Design, Section 5.106.5.3.1 (EV capable spaces) is hereby amended to read as follows: