Electric Vehicle
Charging Reach Code
Ordinance
Cotati City Council
Community Development
Department
June 13, 2023
Background
CA Building Code Updated 2022 (Triennial, 2023-2025)
Cotati adopted Tier 1 of CALGreen code for EV
charging
Intervening Code update of CA Building Code = higher
mandatory, Tier 1, and Tier 2 standards effective
7/1/2024
Council workshop in April on reach codes: Council
direction to pursue Intervening Code Tier 1 on EV
charging ASAP
Reach code related to all-electric buildings on hold
pending resolution of legal issues
Cotati’s 2022 Code vs. Intervening Code
Tier 1 (Proposed Reach Code)
New single family/duplex
No change
One space must be Level 2
EV Ready
Applies to ADUs (although
most are parking-exempt)
Cotati’s 2022 Code vs. Intervening Code Tier 1
(Proposed Reach Code): Multifamily/Hotels
Existing MF—10% added/altered parking spaces—Level 2 EV Capable (also when electrical systems or lighting altered)
Size Measure CALGreen CALGreen Voluntary
Existing 2022 Code Mandatory Tier 1 Tier 2
Small (<20 units)
Level 2 EV Capable 10%
Low Power Level 2
Receptacles 25% 35% 40%
Large (> 20 units)
Level 2 EV Capable 10%
Low Power Level 2
Receptacles 25% 35% 40%
Level 2 EVSE 5% 10% 15%
Proposed Intervening Code Mandatory Tier 1 Tier 2
All sizes
Low Power Level 2
Receptacles 40% 50% 55%
Level 2 EVSE 15% 15% 20%
Cotati’s 2022 Code vs. Intervening Code
Tier 1 (Proposed Reach Code)
Non-Residential
New buildings
EV Capable: Minimum 2 spaces
EVSE: Minimum 1 space (New)
New: Charging for medium- and heavyduty EVs extended to manufacturing facilities, office buildings
Existing Buildings
New: 10% of added/altered parking
spaces must be Level 2 EV Capable
(also when electrical systems or
lighting altered, or PVs added)
TOTAL NUMBER OF
ACTUAL PARKING
SPACES
TIER 1 NUMBER OF REQUIRED
EV CAPABLE SPACES
TIER 1 NUMBER OF EVCS (EV
CAPABLE SPACES PROVIDED
WITH EVSE)
0-9 2 0
10-25 5 2
26-50 11 4
51-75 19 6
76-100 26 9
101-150 38 13
151-200 53 18
201 and over 30 percent of actual parking
spaces
33 percent of EV capable
spaces
TABLE A5.106.5.3.1
Tier 1 Standards for Non-Residential
Adoption Process
If adopted, reach code filed with CA Building
Standards Commission (BSC)
Effective date the later of 1) Filing with BSC or
2) 30 days following adoption
Reach code needs to be re-adopted with triennial
update of CA Building Code in 2025 (for
1/1/2026)
New mandatory measures from State or
additional voluntary measures may be adopted
Recommendation
The Community Development
Department recommends that the City
Council hold a public hearing and
introduce an ordinance amending the
City’s Building Code to require
increased electric vehicle charging
infrastructure and equipment in
building projects.