Reach Codes

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Foster City Reach Codes for a Cleaner, Brighter, Future!


The City of Foster City has developed the Climate Action Plan to address challenges that climate change will bring to the community. The Climate Action Plan describes climate change effects and prescribes measures to mitigate negative impacts. As part of this plan, the City is beginning to develop a ‘green building reach code’ that will help the City reduce harmful emissions, provide safe, sustainable buildings, and promote public health.

Community Outreach & Development Timeline (Tentative)

  • 2024: Economic analysis, engineering study, policy development.
  • 2024: Community Engagement meetings and Stakeholder outreach. Official updates and meeting dates will be published soon. Stay tuned!
  • 2024: Adoption of Codes by City Council

What are Reach Codes?

Every three years, the State of California adopts a new Building Standards Code contained within Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. Cities may adopt new building standards codes that are more advanced than those required by the state, commonly known as Reach Codes. A reach code is a local building code which “reaches” beyond the minimum requirements of the state.

The state of California utilizes the California Green Building Code (CALGreen) for sustainable building requirements related to energy and water efficiency, resource conservation and the reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs) and the California Energy Code to reduce wasteful and unnecessary energy consumption in newly constructed and existing buildings.

For a jurisdiction to adopt additional Green Building Code or Energy Code requirements, the code amendments must be filed with the State. In addition, the California Energy Commission (CEC) requires that a cost-effectiveness study be conducted and filed in the case of local amendments to the California Energy Code. It is required that the City demonstrate to the CEC, using a cost-effectiveness study, that the amendments to the code are financially responsible and do not represent an unreasonable burden to non-residential and residential building permit applicants.

The City of Foster City plans to build upon the state code, to create more stringent requirements for building design and construction to promote a vibrant, and healthy environment for current and future residents.


What does this mean for Foster City?

Agreement between The City of Foster City and Integrated Design 360 LLC for consultant services to develop a local Reach Codes Ordinance was approved on October 3, 2022. The content and scope of the Reach Code Ordinance will be determined based upon cost-effectiveness/economic analysis, electrical capacity study, energy savings study and stakeholder input from the City of Foster City residents, property owners, businesses, and potential developers.

The content and scope of the Ordinance is yet to be determined but will be based upon stakeholder input from the Foster City residents, property owners, businesses, and potential developers. Based upon stakeholder input, economic analysis, and the engineering study, the Reach Code Ordinance could include such measures as:

• Building Electrification and Energy Efficiency

  • Greater energy performance levels for mixed fuel and all-electric buildings.
  • CALGreen Tier 1 and Tier 2 Performance Requirements.

• Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

  • Increased requirements for EV-Capable and/or EV-Ready parking spaces beyond CALGreen requirements for private and public improvements.

• Green Building Rating Systems, Building Performance Standards, Benchmarking

  • Third party green building certification (i.e., LEED).
  • CALGreen voluntary tier requirements.
  • Energy audits.

• Material Conservation and Resource Efficiency

  • Low carbon concrete standards.
  • Sustainable roofs (PV, solar thermal, vegetated roofs, cool roofs).

• Water Efficiency and Conservation

  • Recycled water, including rainwater/greywater systems.
  • Increased standards under the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) and the Model Landscape Ordinance (MWELO).

Why Establish Reach Codes?

The built environment produces 40% of annual global CO2 emissions. Reach codes provide opportunities to reduce emissions and create a healthier built environment. Other benefits offered by reach codes include enhanced resiliency, increased air quality and long-term savings on utilities.

The benefits of greenhouse gases (GHG) electricity can best be realized by electrification of new and existing buildings and transportation vehicles. Electrification transitions buildings and vehicles away from natural gas and gasoline to clean energy provided by PCE, SVCE and EBCE. By developing reach codes, cities can save energy and reduce GHG emissions in San Mateo, Santa Clara County and Alameda County


For further information, please contact reachcodes@fostercity.org





Foster City Reach Codes for a Cleaner, Brighter, Future!


The City of Foster City has developed the Climate Action Plan to address challenges that climate change will bring to the community. The Climate Action Plan describes climate change effects and prescribes measures to mitigate negative impacts. As part of this plan, the City is beginning to develop a ‘green building reach code’ that will help the City reduce harmful emissions, provide safe, sustainable buildings, and promote public health.

Community Outreach & Development Timeline (Tentative)

  • 2024: Economic analysis, engineering study, policy development.
  • 2024: Community Engagement meetings and Stakeholder outreach. Official updates and meeting dates will be published soon. Stay tuned!
  • 2024: Adoption of Codes by City Council

What are Reach Codes?

Every three years, the State of California adopts a new Building Standards Code contained within Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. Cities may adopt new building standards codes that are more advanced than those required by the state, commonly known as Reach Codes. A reach code is a local building code which “reaches” beyond the minimum requirements of the state.

The state of California utilizes the California Green Building Code (CALGreen) for sustainable building requirements related to energy and water efficiency, resource conservation and the reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs) and the California Energy Code to reduce wasteful and unnecessary energy consumption in newly constructed and existing buildings.

For a jurisdiction to adopt additional Green Building Code or Energy Code requirements, the code amendments must be filed with the State. In addition, the California Energy Commission (CEC) requires that a cost-effectiveness study be conducted and filed in the case of local amendments to the California Energy Code. It is required that the City demonstrate to the CEC, using a cost-effectiveness study, that the amendments to the code are financially responsible and do not represent an unreasonable burden to non-residential and residential building permit applicants.

The City of Foster City plans to build upon the state code, to create more stringent requirements for building design and construction to promote a vibrant, and healthy environment for current and future residents.


What does this mean for Foster City?

Agreement between The City of Foster City and Integrated Design 360 LLC for consultant services to develop a local Reach Codes Ordinance was approved on October 3, 2022. The content and scope of the Reach Code Ordinance will be determined based upon cost-effectiveness/economic analysis, electrical capacity study, energy savings study and stakeholder input from the City of Foster City residents, property owners, businesses, and potential developers.

The content and scope of the Ordinance is yet to be determined but will be based upon stakeholder input from the Foster City residents, property owners, businesses, and potential developers. Based upon stakeholder input, economic analysis, and the engineering study, the Reach Code Ordinance could include such measures as:

• Building Electrification and Energy Efficiency

  • Greater energy performance levels for mixed fuel and all-electric buildings.
  • CALGreen Tier 1 and Tier 2 Performance Requirements.

• Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

  • Increased requirements for EV-Capable and/or EV-Ready parking spaces beyond CALGreen requirements for private and public improvements.

• Green Building Rating Systems, Building Performance Standards, Benchmarking

  • Third party green building certification (i.e., LEED).
  • CALGreen voluntary tier requirements.
  • Energy audits.

• Material Conservation and Resource Efficiency

  • Low carbon concrete standards.
  • Sustainable roofs (PV, solar thermal, vegetated roofs, cool roofs).

• Water Efficiency and Conservation

  • Recycled water, including rainwater/greywater systems.
  • Increased standards under the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) and the Model Landscape Ordinance (MWELO).

Why Establish Reach Codes?

The built environment produces 40% of annual global CO2 emissions. Reach codes provide opportunities to reduce emissions and create a healthier built environment. Other benefits offered by reach codes include enhanced resiliency, increased air quality and long-term savings on utilities.

The benefits of greenhouse gases (GHG) electricity can best be realized by electrification of new and existing buildings and transportation vehicles. Electrification transitions buildings and vehicles away from natural gas and gasoline to clean energy provided by PCE, SVCE and EBCE. By developing reach codes, cities can save energy and reduce GHG emissions in San Mateo, Santa Clara County and Alameda County


For further information, please contact reachcodes@fostercity.org





Page last updated: 15 Feb 2024, 06:24 PM