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Tiburon moves to adopt building-code amendments to promote electrification and EV readiness
Summary
Council introduced an ordinance to adopt local amendments to the 2022 California Building Standards Code to preserve electrification measures, add a flex-path menu for single-family remodels (threshold lowered to 500 sq. ft.), and require EV readiness when a service-panel upgrade occurs; staff aims to finalize before state timing deadlines.
The Tiburon Town Council on Aug. 6 voted to introduce and read by title only a package of local building-code amendments intended to preserve and expand electrification and EV-readiness measures for new construction and certain remodels.
Staff described the package as a repeal-and-replace of earlier local language that had been limited by court decisions and state code updates. The ordinance would re-adopt a flex-path approach for single-family alterations and additions, lower the trigger for the flex path from 750 square feet to 500 square feet, and implement a point-based menu of energy upgrades projects can choose from to meet a target score. The ordinance also ties EV readiness requirements to service-panel upgrades for both single-family and multi-family properties, and adds exemptions and implementation details to align with the town's general plan and climate action plan.
Grace Ledwith, the town's sustainability coordinator, told the council the changes are time-sensitive because of state legislation (AB 130 and related provisions adopted as part of the AB 306/AB 130 package and subsequent guidance) that limits local code changes after Sept. 30 unless the jurisdiction meets certain exceptions. Staff said the town will seek to adopt by Aug. 30 and file the reach code package with the California Energy Commission and California Building Standards Commission for approval; formal enforcement would start after the 2025 code adoption cycle (enforcement anticipated in 2026).
Council members asked about financial impacts and whether EV readiness tied to service-panel upgrades could deter small projects; staff responded that service-panel upgrades are typically done as part of larger retrofit work and that staff will retain some discretion and provide outreach and incentives. The motion to introduce the ordinance, read by title only and waive further readings, passed unanimously; staff will return on the next regular meeting for final adoption and will train staff and conduct contractor outreach before enforcement begins.
