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Goleta council advances reach code to boost new-building energy performance; second reading passed unanimously
Summary
The council conducted a public hearing and on second reading unanimously adopted an energy performance "reach code" that tightens local energy-performance requirements for new construction and requires electric readiness features; the ordinance will be submitted to state agencies for approval.
The Goleta City Council completed the second reading and unanimously adopted an energy performance reach code amending Title 15, chapter 15.15 of the Goleta Municipal Code to adopt local amendments to the 2022 California Building and Energy Code.
City staff said the reach code requires higher energy-performance compliance margins for new construction (with different targets by building type), reduces exceptions for small single-family homes and accessory dwelling units, and includes electric readiness requirements for space- and water-heating equipment in projects that choose mixed-fuel designs. Staff said the code is designed to use no more source energy than state code and must be shown cost-effective per state rules.
Planning staff presented findings and cost-effectiveness studies, noting the code was developed in collaboration with Santa Barbara County and modeled on ordinances adopted by similar California cities. The ordinance retains flexibility for builders to meet higher performance through improved building envelope measures, solar, battery storage or all-electric systems. Staff said the measure builds on earlier local outreach and will be filed with the California Energy Commission and the California Building Standards Commission for approval; the state review is required before the reach code takes effect.
During the public hearing, no speakers opposed the ordinance; staff answered council questions about compliance margins for different building types, modeling software used under Title 24 and the timeline for state review. When council members moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading they included a determination that the ordinance is the subject of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption and directed staff to file a notice of exemption.
The motion to conduct the second reading and adopt the ordinance passed on a roll-call vote with all council members voting in favor.
Ending: Staff will submit the adopted reach code to the California Energy Commission and the California Building Standards Commission for review; once approved at the state level the local amendments will become effective. Staff said they expect state review and placement on the Energy Commission agenda in the coming months and that the ordinance’s final effective date will follow the state process.
