San Leandro Adopts Green Reach Codes and updated Building Codes

The City of San Leandro has adopted new Reach Codes and updated Building Codes to support safe and sustainable construction for the community. An informational workshop for businesses will be held on Tuesday, January 31st (more info below).

2022 California Building Code

In January 2023, the 2022 California Building Code went into effect, governing construction of buildings and structures across the state. Every three years, the statewide Building Standards Code is updated to reflect new and improved construction practices, technology advancements, and safety protocols. The 2022 Building Codes include updated requirements supporting electrification of buildings, solar panel and battery storage, and increased requirements for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

Cities and counties may also adopt local amendments to strengthen the California Building Standards Code based on local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions. Similar to other communities in the Bay Area, San Leandro has continued local amendments ensuring additional seismic protection for buildings in structures and foundations. For the 2022 code cycle, San Leandro has also adopted local amendments related to earthquake gas shutoff valves and fire sprinklers.

San Leandro Reach Codes

The City of San Leandro has also adopted local Reach Codes – local amendments to the Building Code that ‘reach’ beyond state requirements. As a key implementation strategy of the City’s 2021 Climate Action Plan, these reach code amendments are part of the Green Building Code and are designed to reduce carbon emissions and improve indoor air quality, safety, and the resiliency of San Leandro’s building stock.

San Leandro’s Reach Codes require newly constructed buildings to be all electric, and increase electric vehicle (EV) charging requirements. These codes apply to new construction projects proposed after January 1, 2023. Limited exceptions to the all-electric requirements are permitted due to technical infeasibility and/or cost-effectiveness, particularly related to industrial buildings, commercial kitchens, and specialized equipment. Increased EV charging requirements will ensure properties have adequate electrical capacity and physical infrastructure to support a rapid increase in demand from electric vehicles in the coming years.

Cities across the state have adopted Reach Codes in recent years and San Leandro’s requirements are similar to a number of other communities in the Bay Area. San Leandro will continue to revisit it’s Reach Codes every three years in line with the State Building Code adoption cycle.

For more information on new Reach Codes and updates to San Leandro’s Building Codes, an overview presentation may be found here. The California Building Code and local amendments are codified in the San Leandro Municipal Code Section 7-5.

Workshop on Key Building Code Changes

A workshop on Building Code updates will take place at 8AM on January 31, 2023 in the Sister Cities Gallery at City Hall (835 East 14th Street) in San Leandro. Construction-related businesses can save time and money by finding out the latest through this joint event from the cities of San Leandro, Newark, and Hayward. Representatives of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) will also be on hand to provide information about the utility hookup process. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register.