Chapter 16.42 — ENERGY CODE

This chapter shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the "Energy Code for the City of Sunnyvale." (Ord. 3168-20 § 1)

The "2025 California Energy Code" adopted by the State Building Standards Commission in California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24, Part 6 is hereby adopted by reference as the energy code of the city of Sunnyvale. (Ord. 3168-20 § 1; Ord. 3202-22 § 35; Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)

Note: §§ 16.42.030—16.42.090, derived from Ord. 3168-20; Ord. 3202-22; and Ord. 3244-25, were repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025.

2025 California Energy Code Section 100.1 (Definitions), subsection (b) is hereby amended to add or amend the following definitions, reading as follows:

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.

NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BUILDING is a building that has never been used or occupied for any purpose. It shall also include newly constructed additions and improvements in existing buildings where more than 50 percent of the exterior wall is modified. The Chief Building Official shall make the final determination regarding the application of this definition. (Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)

2025 California Energy Code Section 150.0 (Mandatory Features and Devices), is hereby amended to add new subsection (w), and to read as follows:

Single-family residential buildings shall comply with the applicable requirements of Sections 150(a) to 150(w).

Note: [Text of 2025 California Energy Code unchanged]

(a) — (v) [Text of 2025 California Energy Code Section 150.0 unchanged]

(w) Electric Readiness for Remodels, Alterations, and Additions.

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 three 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 three 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 three 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 three 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 three 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 three 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 three feet of the appliance. The blank cover shall be identified as "240V ready".

4. Outdoor gas appliances. Where a gas line is added or extended to any pool water heater, spa water heater, sauna, fireplace, outdoor cooking appliance, or outdoor heating system, install infrastructure and reserve physical space to accommodate future installation of an electric equivalent of that system that serves the same function, as certified by a registered design professional or licensed electrical contractor.

A. Install conduit designed to serve a future electric appliance(s) with the same function,
including the appropriate voltage, phase, minimum amperage, and an electrical
receptacle or junction box within five feet of the appliance that is accessible with no
obstructions, in accordance with manufacturer requirements and the California
Electrical Code. In lieu of or in addition to conduit, electrically isolated branch circuit
wiring may be installed; and

B. Label both ends of the unused conduit or conductors "For Future Electrical
Appliance"; and

C. Reserve circuit breakers in the electrical panel(s) for each branch circuit,
appropriately labeled; and

D. Designate physical space for future electric appliances, including equipment
footprint, on the construction drawings. The footprint necessary for future electric
appliances may overlap with the location of currently designed combustion
equipment.
Exception to Section 150.0(w)4: Generator systems used for emergency power
generation.

5. 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): The project is the result of 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)5. Tandem overcurrent protection
devices shall be used to the extent permissible under the California Electrical
Code.
Exception 4 to Section 150.0(w): The project is the result of a safety
improvement to remove a known hazard.
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.

(Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)