Article 16-49

GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE*

Sections:

16-49.010 Adoption of the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code. 16-49.020 Indoor Water Use and Graywater. 16-49.030 Two-way Air Conditioning Reach Code.

(c) At least one true copy of the Green Building Standards Code has been on file with the City Clerk for fifteen days prior to enactment of the ordinance codified in this Article. While the ordinance codified in this Article is in force, a true copy of the Green Building Standards Code shall be kept for public inspection in the office of the Building Official.

(Ord. No. 414, § 2(App. A), 11-5-2025)

Add Section 4.303.50 to read as follows:

(a) The 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part 11, hereinafter referred to as the "Green Building Standards Code," referred to and, except as to additions, deletions and amendments hereinafter described, such code is hereby adopted and made a part hereof, the same as if fully set forth in this Article and shall be the Green Building Standards Code of the City.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the additions, deletions, and amendments to the Green Building Standards Code related to energy standards shall not take effect until the California Energy Commission approval process is completed.

(i) In accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7, express findings that modifications to the energy standards in the Green Building Standards Code are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions are either already on file with the California Building Standards Commission or will be filed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Article.

(ii) Pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 25402.1(h)(2), the City Council's findings that modifications to the energy standards in the Green Building Standards Code are cost-effective and will require the diminution of energy consumption levels permitted by the Energy Code are either already on file with the California Energy Commission or will be filed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Article.

*Editor’s note— Ord. No. 414, § 2(App. A), adopted November 5, 2025, repealed the former Article 16-49, §§ 16-49.010—16-49.040, and enacted a new Article 16-49 as set out herein. The former Article 16-49 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 395, § 2(App. A), December 7, 2022; Ord. No. 404, § 1(Exh. A, § 1), September 18, 2024.

4.303.50 Indoor Water Use. One- and two-family dwellings shall be equipped with a demand hot water recirculation system

Add Section 4.305.1 to read as follows:

4.305.1 Graywater. Piping is installed to permit future use of a graywater system served by the clothes washer and other graywater fixtures.

(Ord. No. 414, § 2(App. A), 11-5-2025)

16-49.030 Two-way Air Conditioning Reach Code. Section A4.204.1 of the Green Building Standards Code is adopted and amended as follows:

A4.204.1 Energy Efficiency. Alterations to existing residential buildings shall comply with Section A4.204.1.1.

A4.204.1.1 Altered Space-Conditioning System Serving Existing Single-Family Dwelling Units - Mechanical Cooling. When a spaceconditioning system serving an existing singlefamily dwelling unit is altered in climate zones 1 through 14 and 16 by installation or replacement of an air conditioner, the altered system shall comply with either a or b below in addition to the requirements for installation specified by Title 24, Part 6, Sections 150.2(b)1E and 150.2(b)1F:

Family Dwelling Units - Mechanical Cooling.** When a spaceconditioning system serving an existing singlefamily dwelling unit is altered in climate zones 1 through 14 and 16 by installation or replacement of an air conditioner, the altered system shall comply with either a or b below in addition to the requirements for installation specified by Title 24, Part 6, Sections 150.2(b)1E and 150.2(b)1F:

a. A heat pump shall be the primary heating source and sized according to the system selection requirements specified by Title 24, Part 6 of Section 150.0(h)5. Supplemental heating may be provided by a gas furnace or electric resistance heating as specified in Title 24, Part 6, Sections 150.0(h)7 and 150.0(i); or

b. An air conditioner shall meet all the requirements in either subsection I or II below:

I. Systems with Existing Duct Distribution Systems:

A. The duct system measured air leakage shall be equal to or less than 10 percent of the system air (Saratoga Supp. No. 57, 1-26)

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handler airflow as confirmed through field verification and diagnostic testing, per the requirements in Title 24, Part 6, Reference Residential Appendix Section RA3.1.4.3.1; and

• Exception 1 to A4.204.1.1bIA. If it is not possible to meet the duct sealing requirements, all accessible leaks shall be sealed and verified through a visual inspection and a smoke test by a certified ECC-Rater utilizing the methods specified in Reference Residential Appendix Section RA3.1.4.3.5.

• Exception 2 to A4.204.1.1bIA: Existing duct systems, constructed, insulated or sealed with asbestos.

B. Demonstrate, in every control mode, airflow greater than or equal to 300 CFM per ton of nominal cooling capacity through the return grilles, and an air-handling unit fan efficacy less than or equal to 0.45 W/CFM. The airflow rate and fan efficacy requirements in this section shall be confirmed through field verification and diagnostic testing, following the procedures outlined in Title 24, Part 6, Reference Residential Appendix RA3.3; and

• Exception 1 to A4.204.1.1bIB: Systems unable to comply with the minimum airflow rate and system efficacy requirements shall demonstrate compliance by satisfying all of the following:

1. Following the procedures in Section

RA3.3.3.1.5;

2. Installing a system thermostat that conforms to the specifications in Section 110.12;

3. For standard ducted systems (without zoning dampers), meet the applicable minimum total return filter grille nominal area requirements in Table 150.0-B or 150.0-C as confirmed by field verification and diagnostic testing in accordance with the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix Sections RA3.1.4.4 and RA3.1.4.5. The design clean-filter pressure drop requirements specified by Section 150.0(m)12D for the system air filter(s) shall conform to the requirements given in Tables 150.0-B and 150.0-C.

Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1bIB: Multispeed compressor systems or variable speed compressor systems shall verify air flow (cfm/

ton) and fan efficacy (Watt/cfm) for system operation at the maximum compressor speed and the maximum air handler fan speed. Exception 3 to Section A4.204.1.1bIB: Gas furnace air-handling units manufactured prior to July 3, 2019, shall comply with a fan efficacy value less than or equal to 0.58 W/cfm as confirmed by field verification and diagnostic testing in accordance with the procedures given in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.3.

C. In all climate zones, refrigerant charge verification requirements shall meet the requirements in Title 24, Part 6 Section 150.2(b)1Fiib, including the minimum airflow rate specified in Section 150.2(b)1Fiia; and

D. Vented attics shall have insulation installed to achieve a U-factor of 0.020 or insulation installed at the ceiling level shall result in an insulated thermal resistance of R-49 or greater for the insulation alone; luminaires not rated for insulation contact must be replaced or retrofitted with a fireproof cover that allows for insulation to be installed directly over the cover; and

• Exception 1 to Section A4.204.1.1(b)ID: Dwelling units with at least R-38 existing insulation installed at the ceiling level.

• Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1(b)ID: Dwelling units where the alteration would directly cause the disturbance of asbestos unless the alteration is made in conjunction with asbestos abatement.

• Exception 3 to Section A4.204.1.1(b)ID: Dwelling units with knob and tube wiring located in the vented attic.

• Exception 4 to Section A4.204.1.1(b)ID: Where the accessible space in the attic is not large enough to accommodate the required R-value, the entire accessible space shall be filled with insulation provided such installation does not violate Section 806.3 of Title 24, Part 2.5.

E. Air seal all accessible areas of the ceiling plane between the attic and the conditioned space including all joints, penetrations and other openings that are potential sources of air leakage by caulking, gasketing, weather-stripping or otherwise sealing to limit infiltration and exfiltration.

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Exception 1 to Section A4.204.1.1bIE: Dwelling units with at least R-38 existing insulation installed at the ceiling level.

Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1 bIE: Dwelling units where the alteration would directly cause the disturbance of asbestos unless the alteration is made in conjunction with asbestos abatement.

Exception 3 to Section A4.204.1.1bIE: Dwelling units with atmospherically vented space heating or water heating combustion appliances located inside the pressure boundary of the dwelling unit.

II. Entirely New or Complete Replacement Duct Systems:

A. R-8 duct insulation shall be installed for all new ducts located in unconditioned space; and

B. The total duct system measured air leakage shall be equal to or less than 5 percent of the system air handler airflow as confirmed through field verification and diagnostic testing, per the requirements in Title 24, Part 6, Reference Residential Appendix Section RA3.1.4.3.1; and

C. Demonstrate, in every control mode, airflow greater than or equal to 350 CFM per ton of nominal cooling capacity through the return grilles, and an air-handling unit fan efficacy less than or equal to 0.35 W/CFM. The airflow rate and fan efficacy requirements in this section shall be confirmed through field verification and diagnostic testing, following the procedures outlined in Title 24, Part 6, Reference Residential Appendix RA3.3; and

D. In all climate zones, refrigerant charge verification requirements shall meet the requirements in Title 24, Part 6 Section 150.2(b)1Fiib; and

E. In Climate Zones 1-4, 6, and 8-16 if the air handler and ducts are located within a vented attic, vented attics shall have insulation installed to achieve a U-factor of 0.020 or insulation installed at the ceiling level shall result in an insulated thermal resistance of R-49 or greater for the insulation alone; luminaires not rated for insulation contact must be replaced or retrofitted with a fireproof cover that allows for insulation to be installed directly over the cover; and

Exception 1 to Section A4.204.1.1bIIE: In Climate Zones 1, 3, and 6, dwelling units with at least R-19 existing insulation installed at the ceiling level.

Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1bIIE: Dwelling units where the alteration would directly cause the disturbance of asbestos unless the alteration is made in conjunction with asbestos abatement.

Exception 3 to Section A4.204.1.1bIIE: Dwelling units with knob and tube wiring located in the vented attic.

Exception 4 to Section A4.204.1.1bIIE: Where the accessible space in the attic is not large enough to accommodate the required R-value, the entire accessible space shall be filled with insulation provided such installation does not violate Section 806.3 of Title 24, Part 2.5.

F. In Climate Zones 2, 4, and 8-16, air seal all accessible areas of the ceiling plane between the attic and the conditioned space including all joints, penetrations and other openings that are potential sources of air leakage by caulking, gasketing, weather-stripping or otherwise sealing to limit infiltration and exfiltration.

Exception 1 to Section A4.204.1.1bIIF: Dwelling units with at least R-19 existing insulation installed at the ceiling level.

Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1bIIF: Dwelling units where the alteration would directly cause the disturbance of asbestos unless the alteration is made in conjunction with asbestos abatement.

Exception 3 to Section A4.204.1.1bIIF: Dwelling units with atmospherically vented space heating or water heating combustion appliances located inside the pressure boundary of the dwelling unit.

c. Performance approach.

The energy budget for alterations is expressed in terms of Long-term System Cost (LSC), and the altered component(s) and any newly installed equipment serving the alteration shall meet the applicable requirements of Subsections A, B, and C below.

A. The altered components shall meet the applicable requirements of Title 24, Part 6, Sections 110.0

(Saratoga Supp. No. 57, 1-26)

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through 110.9, Sections 150.0(a) through (l), Sections 150.0(m)1 through 150.0 (m)10, and Sections 150.0(p) through (q). Entirely new or complete replacement mechanical ventilation systems as these terms are used in Section 150.2(b)1L, shall comply with the requirements in Section 150.2(b)1L. Altered mechanical ventilation systems shall comply with the requirements of Section 150.2(b)1M. Entirely new or complete replacement space-conditioning systems, and entirely new or complete replacement duct systems, as these terms are used in Sections 150.2(b)1C and 150.2(b)1Diia, shall comply with the requirements of Sections 150.0(m)12 and 150.0(m)13.

B. The standard design for an altered component shall be the higher efficiency of existing conditions or the requirements stated in Table A4.204.1.1-A. For components not being altered, the standard design shall be based on the existing conditions. When the third party verification option is specified as a requirement, all components proposed for alteration for which the additional credit is taken, must be verified by a certified ECC-rater.

Table A4.204.1.1-A Standard Design for an Altered Component

(Saratoga Supp. No. 57, 1-26)

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C. The proposed design shall be based on the actual values of the altered components.

• Exception 1 to Section A4.204.1.1: Where the capacity of the existing main electrical service panel is insufficient to supply the electrical capacity of a heat pump and where the existing main electrical service panel is sufficient to supply a new or replacement air conditioner, as calculated according to the requirements of California Electrical Code Article 220.83 or Article 220.87. Documentation of electrical load calculations in accordance with Article 220 must be submitted to the enforcement agency prior to permitting for both the heat pump and proposed air conditioner.

• Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1: Where the required capacity of a heat pump to meet the system selection requirements of Section 150.0(h)5 is greater than or equal to 12,000 Btu/h more than the greater of the required capacity of an air conditioner to meet the design cooling load OR the capacity of the existing air conditioner. Documentation of heating and cooling load calculations in accordance with 150.0(h) must be submitted to the enforcement agency prior to permitting for both the heat pump and proposed air conditioner.

(Ord. No. 414, § 2(App. A), 11-5-2025)

438.1

(Saratoga Supp. No. 57, 1-26)

16-50.010