Green Building Ordinance Public Workshop
On Thursday, February 25, 2021 a public workshop was held to discuss the newest measures Encinitas is taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To meet the goals of the City’s Climate Action Plan, a set of ordinances will be developed to promote the use of energy efficiency and decarbonization measures in buildings. The new regulations would affect certain new and existing commercial and residential developments seeking City permits. At the meeting, participants were selected for a Stakeholder Committee which will meet 2-3 times to provide further input on the development of the draft ordinances.
More information about the proposed ordinances can be found in City’s CAP or our Climate Dashboard. Refer to CAP Measures BE-1 through BE-4 and RE-3. Information on the draft ordinance previously developed for CAP Measures BE-3 and RE-3 can be found in the section below.
Workshop 2/25/21 Agenda, Presentation, and Video
Overview of Ordinances
Draft Ordinance 2021-TBD (formerly 2020-04) revised 2-24-21
Nonresidential Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet
Nonresidential PV Fact Sheet
Residential Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet
Draft Commercial Energy & Solar Ordinance
In 2020, a draft ordinance was prepared to address the following CAP Measures:
BE-3: Adopt Higher Energy Efficiency Standards for Commercial Buildings
RE-3: Require Commercial Buildings to Install Solar Photovoltaic Systems
The proposed ordinance would establish energy efficiency and solar energy requirements for certain commercial, multi-unit residential, and hotel/motel buildings. The requirements will be applicable to new buildings and building alterations of a certain size when requesting a building permit.
Input on the proposed draft ordinance was accepted during a public comment period from March 27 to April 17, 2020, and via a virtual public meeting, held on June 15, 2020.
The Stakeholder Committee will have an opportunity to review and comment on this draft ordinance and modifications may be made prior to seeking City Council approval. Documents related to this draft ordinance are linked below:
Draft Ordinance 2020-04
Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet
Solar Photovoltaic Fact Sheet
Nonresidential New Construction Cost Effectiveness Study
Energy Conservation Ordinance Cost Effectiveness Study
June 15 Meeting Presentation Slides
June 15 Meeting Questions & Answers
Solar Photovoltaic and Energy Efficiency Resources for Commercial Property Owners
Adopted Green Building Ordinances
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems on New Homes
In 2019, the City adopted Ordinance 2019-21 which incorporated new statewide residential solar requirements into our local building code. As of January 1, 2020, all new single-family and multi-family homes up to three stories in California are required to install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system large enough to meet the annual electricity usage of the building. The details regarding the residential solar requirement can be found in the state’s CALGreen code (California Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part 11)
Residential and Commercial Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
In November 2019, City Council considered and adopted Ordinance 2019-22 to increase electric vehicle (EV) adoption by residents. New single-family homes must install electrical equipment capable of handling an EV charger, making the home “EV Ready,” and new multi-family homes must install EV charging stations (EVCS) at 15% of the parking spaces in the complex.
New commercial developments (including the commercial portion of mixed-use projects) and commercial building modifications, alterations, and additions that are 10,000 square feet or greater are required to install EV charging stations a 8% of their total number of parking spaces. For more information on these requirements check out this fact sheet.
Leaf Blower Regulations
In August 2019, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2019-06, prohibiting the use or operation of any leaf blower powered by a gasoline combustion engine (two-stroke or four-stroke) within City limits. Additionally, the ordinance regulates the allowed hours of operation of all leaf blowers and prohibits leaf blowers from depositing waste (leaves, debris, etc.) onto a neighboring property, street, sidewalk, gutter, or storm drain. More information on this regulation can be found here.