[11/18/2015]

Black Text - CALGreen 2013 (includes July 2015 Supplement)

Green Text –CurrentSan Francisco Green Building Code

Red Text – Proposed amendments and deletionsto the SF Green Building Code

Be it ordained by the People of the City and County of San Francisco:

Section 1. CEQA and General Plan Consistency Findings.

(a) The Planning Department has determined that the actions contemplated in this ordinance comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et seq.). Said determination is on file with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors in File No. ___ and is incorporated herein by reference. The Board affirms this determination.

(b) On______, the Planning Commission, in Resolution No.______, adopted findings [OR, the Planning Department determined] that the actions contemplated in this ordinance are consistent, on balance, with the City’s General Plan and eight priority policies of Planning Code Section 101.1. The Board adopts these findings [OR, this determination] as its own. A copy of said Resolution [OR determination] is on file with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors in File No.______, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Section2. General Findings.

(a) The California Building Standards Code is contained in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, and consists of several parts that are based upon model codes with amendments made by various State agencies. The California Green Building Standards Code, also known as the CALGreen Code, is Part 11 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, and San Francisco has enacted the San Francisco Green Building Code as amendments to the 2013 California Green Building Standards Code.

(b) Local jurisdictions are required to enforce the California Green Building Standards Code but they may also enact more stringent standards when reasonably necessary because of local conditions caused by climate, geology or topography.

(c) The Building Inspection Commission shall consider the applicable sections of this legislation at duly noticed public hearings.

Section3. Findings Regarding Local Conditions Required by the California Health and Safety Code.

(a) California Health & Safety Code Section 17958.7 provides that before making any changes or modifications to the California Green Building Standards Code and any other applicable provisions published by the State Building Standards Commission, the governing body must make an express finding that each such change or modification is reasonably necessary because of specified local conditions, and the findings must be filed with the State Building Standards Commission before the local changes or modifications go into effect.

(b) The Board of Supervisors expressly declares that the following amendments to the San Francisco Green Building Code are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, topological, and geological conditions as listed below.

(1) As a coastal city located on the tip of a peninsula, San Francisco is vulnerable to sea level rise, and human activities releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere cause increases in worldwide average temperature, which contribute to melting of glaciers and thermal expansion of ocean water – resulting in rising sea levels.

(2) San Francisco is already experiencing the repercussions of excessive CO2 emissions as rising sea levels threaten the City’s shoreline and infrastructure, have caused significant erosion, increased impacts to infrastructure during extreme tides, and have caused the City to expend funds to modify the sewer system.

(3) Some San Francisco populations are vulnerable to heat events.

(4) Increasing the adoption and use of electric vehicles will help San Francisco meet its goals under Ordinance 81-08, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions citywide to 40% below 1990 levels by 2025 and 80% by 2050.

(5) Use of electric vehicles benefits the health, welfare and resiliency of San Francisco and its residents.

(6) Electric vehicles depend upon convenient access to charging, and the ability to serve electric vehicles in existing buildings is commonly limited by the electrical system capacity of the building.

(c) The most cost effective time to prepare building electrical infrastructure for electric vehicle charging at a time when electric service is installed or upgraded due to construction because workers are already on-site, utility service upgrade costs are lower, permitting and administrative costs are lower, and it is more cost-effective to include such systems in existing construction financing.

Section4. The Green Building Code is hereby amended as follows:

SEC.202. DEFINITIONS.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV). An automotive-type vehiclefor on-road use, such as passenger automobiles, buses, trucks, vans, neighborhood electric vehicles, electric motorcycles, and the like, primarily powered by an electric motor that draws current from a rechargeable storage battery, fuel cell, photovoltaic array, or other source of electric current. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are considered electric vehicles. For purposes of the California Electrical Code, off-road, self-propelled electric vehicles, such as industrial trucks, hoists, lifts, transports, golf carts, airline ground support equipment, tractors, boats, and the like, are not included.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGER. Off-board charging equipment used to charge an electric vehicle.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) FAST CHARGER. Off-board charging equipment used to charge an electric vehicle in 75% less time than a standard Electric Vehicle Charger, or meeting a similar standard defined by the Director.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SPACE (EV SPACE). A space intended for future installation of EV charging equipment and charging of electric vehicles.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE FAST CHARGING SPACE (EV FAST CHARGING SPACE). A space intended for future installation of an EV Fast Charger for use by multiple electric vehicles per day.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE LOAD SHARING SYSTEM. An electronic system to allocate charging capacity among EV chargers.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION (EVCS). One or more electric vehicle charging spaces served by electric vehicle charger(s) or other charging equipment allowing charging of electric vehicles. EVCS are not considered parking spaces.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE SUPPLY EQUIPMENT (EVSE). The conductors, including the ungrounded, grounded, and equipment grounding conductors and the electric vehicle connectors, attachment plugs, and all other fittings, devices, power outlets, or apparatus installed specifically for the purpose of transferring energy between the premises wiring and the electric vehicle.

[SFGBC]MAJOR ALTERATIONS. Alterations where interior finishes are removed and significant upgrades to structural and mechanical, electrical and/or plumbing systems are proposed where areas of such construction are 25,000 gross square feet or more in Group B, M or R occupancies of existing buildings.

CHAPTER 3 - GREEN BUILDING

SECTION 301
GENERAL

[SFGBC] 301.1 Scope. Buildings in the City and County of San Francisco shall be designed to include the green building measures specified as mandatory under the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen).

Additional green building requirements established by the City and County of San Francisco are mandatory for:

(1)Newly constructed Group R occupancy buildings,

(2)Newly constructed buildings of Group B, M, A, and I occupancies that are 25,000 gross square feet or more,

(3)New first-time build-outs of commercial interiors that are 25,000 gross square feet or more in buildings of Group B or M occupancies, and

(4)Major alterations that are 25,000 gross square feet or more in existing buildings of Group B, M or R occupancies, where interior finishes are removed and significant upgrades to structural and mechanical, electrical and/or plumbing systems are proposed.

Exempt from additional local requirements of this chapter, unless otherwise noted, are:

(1)Any new building in which laboratory use of any occupancy classification is the primary use, and

(2)Any building undergoing renovation in which the area of renovation will be primarily for laboratory use of any occupancy classification.

301.1.1 Additions and alterations. [HCD] The mandatory provisions of Chapter 4 shall be applied to additions or alterations of existing residential buildings where the addition or alteration increases the building’s conditioned area, volume, or size. The requirements shall apply only to and/or within the specific area of the addition or alteration.

Note: On and after January 1, 2014, residential buildingsundergoing permitted alterations, additions or improvements shall replace noncompliant plumbing fixtures with water-conserving plumbing fixtures. Plumbing fixture replacement is required prior to issuance of a certificate of final completion, certificate of occupancy or final permit approval by the local building department. See Civil Code Section 1101.1, et seq., for the definition of a noncompliant plumbing fixture, types of residential buildings affected and other important enactment dates.

301.2 Low-rise and high-rise residential buildings. [HCD] The provisions of individual sections of the CALGreen may apply to either low-rise residential buildings, high-rise residential buildings, or both. Individual sections will be designated by banners to indicate where the section applies specifically to low-rise only (LR) or high-rise only (HR). When the section applies to both low-rise and high-rise buildings, no banner will be used.

301.3 Nonresidential additions and alterations. [BSC] Theprovisions of individual sections of Chapter 5 apply to newly constructed buildings, building additions of 1,000 square feet or greater, and/or building alterations with a permit valuation of $200,000 or above (for occupancies within the authority of California Building Standards Commission). Code sections relevant to additions and alterations shall only apply to the portions of the building being added or altered within the scope of the permitted work.

A code section will be designated by a banner to indicate where the code section only applies to newly constructed buildings [N] or to additions and/or alterations [A]. When the code section applies to both, no banner will be used.

301.3.1 Nonresidential additions and alterations that cause updates to plumbing fixtures only:

Note: On and after January 1, 2014, certain commercial realproperty, as defined in Civil Code Section 1101.3, shall have its noncompliant plumbing fixtures replaced with appropriate water-conserving plumbing fixtures under specific circumstances. See Civil Code Section 1101.1 et seq. for definitions, types of commercial real property affected, effective dates, circumstances necessitating replacement of noncompliant plumbing fixtures, and duties and responsibilities for ensuring compliance.

SECTION 302
MIXED OCCUPANCY BUILDINGS

[SFGBC] 302.1 Mixed Occupancy Buildings. In mixed occupancy buildings, each portion of a building shall comply with the specificCalifornia Title 24 Part 11 required measures applicable to each specific occupancy.However, to fulfill any additional local green building requirements, the project sponsor may apply a single required green building standard to the entire building.

SECTION 303
PHASED PROJECTS

303.1 Phased projects. For shell buildings and others constructed for future tenant improvements, only those code measures relevant to the building components and systems considered to be new construction (or newly constructed) shall apply.

303.1.1 Tenant improvements. The provisions of this codeshall apply only to the initial tenant or occupant improvements to a project.

[SFGBC] 303.1.1.1 Maintenance of required features.Any structure subject to this chapter shall maintain the green building features required herein, or equivalent, regardless of subsequent alterations, additions, or changes of use, unless subject to subsequent or more stringent requirements.

CHAPTER 4
RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES

Division4.1 – PLANNING AND DESIGN

SECTION 4.103
REQUIREMENTS FOR GROUP R OCCUPANCY BUILDINGS

[SFGBC] 4.103.3 Major Alterations to Existing Group R Occupancy Buildings.

…

4.103.3.3 Electric vehicle charging. Section 4.106.4 of this chapter shall apply to major alterations to Existing Group R occupancy buildings where electrical service to the building will be upgraded. In major alterations where existing electrical service will not be upgraded, the requirements of Section 4.106.4 (all sections) shall apply to the maximum extent that does not require upgrade to existing service.

SECTION 4.106
SITE DEVELOPMENT

4.106.4 Electric vehicle (EV) charging for new construction and major alterations. New construction and major alterations as described in Section 4.103.3.3 shall comply with Sections 4.106.4.1and 4.106.4.2 provide sufficient electrical capacity and infrastructure to facilitate installation and use of EV chargers. that will be capable of serving vehicles in 100 percent of parking spaces.Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) shall beWhen EVSE is installed, it shall be in accordance with the California Electrical Code San Francisco Electrical Code, Article 625, and the California Energy Code, Subchapter 4, Section 130.5.

Exceptions:

On a case-by-case basis, where the local enforcing agencyDirector has determined EV charging and infrastructure are not feasible based upon one or more of the following conditions:

  1. Where there is no commercial power supply.
  2. Where there is evidence substantiating that meeting the requirements will alter the local utility infrastructure design requirements on the utility side of the meter so as to increase the utility side cost to the homeowner or the developer by more than $400.00 per dwelling unit or $400.00 per parking space, whichever is greater. In such cases, buildings subject to Section 4.106.4 shall meet the requirements by maximizing the number of vehicles in garage parking spaces with access to daily on-site charging, without exceeding the limit above.

4.106.4.1 New one- and two-family dwellings and town-houses with attached or adjacent private garages, carports, or uncovered parking spaces.For each dwellingunit, install a listed raceway to accommodate a dedicated 208/240-volt branch circuit. The raceway shall not be less than trade size 1 (nominal 1-inch inside diameter). The raceway shall originate at the main service or unit subpanel and shall terminate into a listed cabinet, box or other enclosure in close proximity to the proposed location of an EV charger. Raceways are required to be continuous at enclosed, inaccessible or concealed areas and spaces. The service panel and/or subpanel shall provide capacity to install a 40-ampere minimum dedicated branch circuit and space(s) reserved to permit installation of a branch circuit overcurrent protective device.

4.106.4.1.1 Identification. The service panel or subpanelcircuit directory shall identify the overcurrent protective device space(s) reserved for future EV charging as “EV CAPABLE”. The raceway termination location shall be permanently and visibly marked as “EV CAPABLE”.

4.106.4.2 New multifamily dwellings and major alterations. Where 17 3 or moremultifamily dwelling units are constructed on a building site, or undergo major alteration as described in Section 4.103.3.3, 1003 percent of parking spaces provided for all types of parking facilities, but in no case less than one,shall be electric vehicle charging spaces (EV spacesEVCS) capable of supporting future EVSEand shall be identified on construction documents. Calculations for the number of EVCS shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number. An electrical panel board shall be provided at each parking level with sufficient capacity to supply a minimum of 208/240-volts at 8 amperes to each EV space simultaneously, with a minimum of 40 amperes per circuit,in order to provide simultaneous level 2 charging (208/240-volts at 40 amperes) for a minimum of 20 percent of the total number of parking spaces on that levelprovide the capability for charging at 100 percent of parking spaces on that level with the use of EV load sharing systems. Circuits and panel boards serving the electrical vehicle charging power distribution system shall be separate from all other loads in order to facilitate separate metering or submetering of such loads, and shall comply with the applicable sections of the San Francisco Electrical Code, comply with the California Energy Code, Subchapter 4, Section 130.5.

Exception: One electric vehicle fast charging space (EV fast charging space) may be substituted for up to every 10 parking spaces in lieu of EV Spaces. An electrical panel board shall be provided at each parking level with EV fast charging spaces, and shall have sufficient capacity to supply each planned Electric Vehicle fast charger with 80 amperes at 480VAC, or equivalent.

Note: Construction documents are intended to demonstrate the project’s capability and capacity for facilitating future EV charging. There is no requirement for EV spaces to be constructed or available until EV chargers are installed for use.

4.106.4.2.1 Electric vehicle charging space (EV space) locations. Construction documents shall indicate thelocation of proposed EV spaces. At least one EV space shall be located in common use areas and available for use by all residents.

When EV chargers are installed, EV spaces required by Section 4.106.2.2, Item 3, shall comply with at least one of the following options:

  1. The EV space shall be located adjacent to an accessible parking space meeting the requirements of the

California Building Code, Chapter 11A, to allowuse of the EV charger from the accessible parking space.

  1. The EV space shall be located on an accessible route, as defined in the California Building Code, Chapter 2, to the building.

4.106.4.2.2 Electric vehicle charging space (EV space) dimensions. The EV spaces shall be designed tocomply with the following:

  1. The minimum length of each EV space shall be 18 feet (5486 mm).
  2. The minimum width of each EV space shall be 9 feet (2743 mm).
  3. One in every 25 EV spaces, but not less than one, shall also have an 8-foot (2438 mm) wide minimum aisle. A 5-foot (1524 mm) wide minimum aisle shall be permitted provided the minimum width of the EV space is 12 feet (3658 mm).
  4. Surface slope for this EV space and the aisle shall not exceed 1 unit vertical in 48 units horizontal (2.083 percent slope) in any direction.

4.106.4.2.3 Single EV space required. Install a listed raceway capable of accommodating a 208/240-volt dedicated branch circuit. The raceway shall not be less than trade size 1 (nominal 1-inch inside diameter). The raceway shall originate at the main service or subpanel and shall terminate into a listed cabinet, box or enclosure in close proximity to the proposed location of the EV spaces. Construction documents shall identify the raceway termination point. The service panel and/or subpanel shall provide capacity to install a 40-ampere minimum dedicated branch circuit and space(s) reserved to permit installation of a branch circuit overcurrent protective device.

4.106.4.2.4 Multiple EV spaces required. Constructiondocuments shall indicate the raceway termination point and proposed location of future EV spaces and EV chargers. Construction documents shall also provide information on amperage of future EVSE, anticipated EV load sharing system design(s) where applicable, raceway method(s), wiring schematics and electrical load calculations to verify that the electrical panel service capacity and electrical system, including any on-site distribution transformer(s), have sufficient capacity to simultaneously charge all EVs at all required EV spaces at the full rated amperage of the EV load sharing system. Plan design shall be based upon a 40-ampere minimum branch circuit, and a minimum of 8 amperes per EV space. Raceways and related components that are planned to be installed underground, enclosed, inaccessible or in concealed areas and spaces shall be installed at the time of original construction.