Chapter 16.43 — GREEN BUILDING CODE

This chapter shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the "Green Building Code for the City of Sunnyvale." (Ord. 3168-20 § 2)

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 code of the city of Sunnyvale. (Ord. 3168-20 § 2; Ord. 3202-22 § 43; Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)

2025 California Green Building Code Chapter 1 is hereby amended as follows:

101.3. Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to grading and to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal, and demolitions of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures within the city, including all plumbing and drainage systems, mechanical systems, and electrical wiring and fire safety systems, energy systems, green building standards, or parts thereof, within and serving such building or structure, excluding therefrom the following:

(1) Any building or structure located on real property belonging to: (A) United States of America, (B) State of California, or any political subdivision thereof, (C) Any chartered city or non-chartered city, or (D) Any school district, except when the proposed use is for non-classroom facilities; (2) Work located primarily in a public way; (3) Public utility towers and poles; (4) Mechanical equipment not specifically regulated in any of the codes; and (5) Hydraulic flood control structures.

It is not the intent that this code substitute or be identified as meeting the certification requirements of any green building program. (Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)

Note: Ord. 3168-20; and Ord. 3202-22, were repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025.

(a) 2025 California Green Building Code Section 4.503 is amended to read as follows:

Note: Ord. 3168-20; Ord. 3202-22; and Ord. 3230-24, were repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/ 2025.

2025 California Green Building Code Section 201 (Definitions) is hereby amended by adding the following definitions:

Electric Vehicle (EV) Capable Space: A vehicle space with electrical panel space and load capacity to support a branch circuit and necessary raceways, both underground and/or surface mounted, to support EV charging. 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. 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.

Level 1 Electric Vehicle (EV) Ready Space: A parking space served by a complete electric branch circuit, overprotection device, a raceway (both underground and/or surface mounted) that may include multiple circuits as allowed by the California Electrical Code, wiring, and either a) a receptacle labeled "Electric Vehicle Outlet" with at least a 1/2" font adjacent to the parking space, or b) electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).

Level 2/3 Electric Vehicle (EV) Ready Space:A vehicle space which is provided with a branch circuit; any necessary raceways, both underground and/or surface mounted; to accommodate EV charging, terminating in a receptacle or a charger.

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

Level 3 Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS): A parking space that includes installation of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) connected to a circuit serving a Level 3 EV Ready Space. EVCS installation may be used to satisfy a Level 3 EV Ready Space requirement.

Automatic Load Management Systems (ALMS): A system designed to manage load across one or more electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) to share electrical capacity and/or automatically manage power at each connection point. ALMS systems must be designed to deliver at least 3.3kW to each EV Capable, EV Ready or EVCS space served by the ALMS. (Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)

§ 16.43.045. (Reserved)

Note: Former § 16.43.045, Scope, derived from Ord. 3202-22, was repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025.

charging.

Note: Ord. 3168-20; Ord. 3202-22; and Ord. 3230-24, were repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/ 2025.

(a) 2025 California Green Building Code Section 4.106.4 (Electric vehicle (EV) charging for new construction) is hereby amended to read as follows:

Note: Ord. 3168-20; Ord. 3202-22; and Ord. 3230-24, were repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/ 2025.

(a) 2025 California Green Building Code Section 5.106.5.3 (Electric vehicle (EV) charging) is hereby amended to read as follows:

2025 California Green Building Standards Code Division 4.2 (Energy Efficiency) is hereby amended to add Section A4.204 (Requirements for Alterations to Existing Buildings) to read as follows:

A4.204 Requirements for Alterations to Existing Buildings.

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

Where there is no local utility power A4.204.1.1 Altered Space-Conditioning System Serving Existing Single-Family Dwelling Units – Where there is no local utility power Mechanical Cooling. When a space-conditioning system serving an existing single-family dwelling unit is altered in climate zone 4 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 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 A4.204.1.1.b.I.A. 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 A4.204.1.1.b.I.A: 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 1 to A4.204.1.1.b.I.B: Systems unable to comply with the minimum airflow rate and system efficacy requirements shall demonstrate compliance by satisfying all of the following: Exception 3 to Section A4.204.1.1.b.I.B: 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)1.F.ii.b, including the minimum airflow rate specified in Section 150.2(b)1.F.ii.a; 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.I.D: Dwelling units with at least R-38 existing insulation installed at the ceiling level. Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1.b.I.D: 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.I.D: Dwelling units with knob and tube wiring located in the vented attic.

Exception 4 to Section A4.204.1.1.b.I.D: 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. Exception 1 to Section A4.204.1.1.b.I.E: Dwelling units with at least R-38 existing insulation installed at the ceiling level. Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1.b.I.E: 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.I.E: 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)1.F.ii.b; and E. 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 A4.204.1.1.b.II.E: In dwelling units with at least R-19 existing insulation installed at the ceiling level. Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1.b.II.E: Dwelling units where the alteration would directly cause the disturbance of asbestos unless the alteration is made in conjunction with a asbestos abatement. Exception 3 to Section A4.204.1.1.b.II.E: Dwelling units with knob and tube wiring located in the vented attic.

Exception 4 to Section A4.204.1.1.b.II.E: 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. 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 A4.204.1.1.b.II.F: Dwelling units with at least R-19 existing insulation installed at the ceiling level. Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1.b.II.F: 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.II.F: Dwelling units with atmospherically vented space heating or water heating combustion appliances located inside the pressure boundary of the dwelling unit.

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. 3244-25, 8/26/2025; Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)