PREPARED BY: Robert Gray
Chief Building Official
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 11/04/2025
ITEM NO: 10
ADDENDUM
DATE: November 3, 2025
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Chris Constantin, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution To Confirm the Town’s Policy in Support of Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Introduce an Ordinance, by Title Only, Repealing Chapter 6, “Building Regulations,” and Chapter 9, “Fire Prevention and Protection,” of the Town of Los Gatos Municipal Code, and Replacing Them with a New Chapter 6, “Building Codes and Regulations,” that Includes the New 2025 California Building, Fire, and Reach Codes as Amended.
Amendments Include Updated Fire Safety Requirements in Wildland Urban Interface Areas for New, Renovated, or Repaired Structures, as well as Reach Codes Affecting Air Conditioning Replacement and Electrical Readiness in Renovations/Alterations. Alternatively, introduce an Ordinance without the Reach Code provisions. Town Code Amendment Application A-25-005. Project Location: Town Wide. Applicant: Town of Los Gatos.
Ordinance Titles: An Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos Repealing Chapter 6, “Building Regulations,” and Chapter 9, “Fire Prevention and Protection,” and Replacing Them with a New Chapter 6, “Building Codes and Regulations,” that Includes the New 2025 California Building, Fire, and Reach Codes, as Amended; or
An Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos Repealing Chapter 6, “Building Regulations,” and Chapter 9, “Fire Prevention and Protection,” and Replacing Them with a New Chapter 6, “Building Codes and Regulations,” that Includes the New 2025 California Building and Fire Codes as Amended. Amendments Include Updated Fire Safety Requirements in Wildland Urban Interface Areas for New, Renovated, or Repaired Structures.
PAGE 2 OF 2
SUBJECT: Town of Los Gatos Amendments to the Building and Fire Codes DATE: November 3, 2025
REMARKS:
Attachment 6 includes public comments received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, October 31, 2025, and 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 3, 2025.
Previously Received with the October 31, 2025, Staff Report:
1. Draft Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Resolution
2. Draft Ordinance with Reach Codes (Sections 6.70.020 and 6.120.050)
3. 2025 Cost-Effectiveness Study
4. Draft Ordinance without Reach Codes
5. Redline Draft Ordinance
Attachments Received with this Addendum:
6. Public Comments Received Between 11:01 A.M., Friday, October 31, 2025, and 11:00 A.M., Monday, November 3, 2025
From: Linda Swenberg
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2025 11:13 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Cc: Town Manager <[email protected]>; Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: 11/4/2025 agenda item 10—OPPOSE the AC-to-Heat-Pump Reach Code – Hidden Tax on Seniors, Homeowners, Landlords, and Renters
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Los Gatos Town Council,
I strongly oppose the proposed AC-to-Heat-Pump (AC2HP) reach code.
The attached PG&E “cost-effectiveness” study is window dressing. • It claims $8k–$15k upgrades.
• SILVAR and local contractors quote $20k–$30k (SILVAR estimates costs could top $250k) once you add panel upgrades, wiring, and permits that most pre-1980s homes need. • For seniors on fixed incomes, that’s unaffordable—even with rebates that don’t cover everything and require upfront cash. The same goes for any homeowner who is cash poor Landlords will simply pass these costs through to renters. • A $20k+ forced upgrade at AC failure = higher rent for tenants who get no say and no rebate.
• This drives up the cost of living in a town where families already struggle.
This is not a green upgrade; it’s a forced retrofit at the worst possible moment—when an AC dies.
• No senior, struggling homeowner, or landlord should face a $20k+ surprise bill just to get a permit.
• The ordinance lacks ironclad exemptions for seniors, struggling homeowners, landlords, or homes where upgrades exceed 3% of value.
Bottom line:
DO NOT ADOPT this reach code.
If you must move forward, add automatic, no-questions-asked exemptions for:
• Anyone 65+
• Income <150% AMI
• Any upgrade >3% of assessed home value
Until those protections are in the ordinance text, this is unfair policy that hurts the people who can least afford it.
Respectfully,
Linda Swenberg
Los Gatos, CA 95032
ATTACHMENT 6
From: Michael Rochmes
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2025 2:20 PM
To: Matthew Hudes <[email protected]>; Rob Moore <[email protected]>; Mary Badame <[email protected]>; Rob Rennie <[email protected]>; Maria Ristow <[email protected]>; Clerk <[email protected]>
Cc: Ben Stapleton robyn eason
Subject: Public Comment Item #10 (11/04/25) - SUPPORT for AC Replacement & Electric Readiness Reach Codes
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Mayor Hudes, Vice Mayor Moore, and Council Members, Please find, attached, U.S. Green Building Council California's letter expressing support for the Air Conditioner Replacement and Electric Readiness local amendments to the 2025 California Building Standards Code (item #10 on the November 4 Town Council agenda).
Sincerely,
Michael Rochmes
--
Michael Rochmes
Policy & Advocacy Coordinator, USGBC California
www.usgbc-ca.org
525 S Hewitt St., Los Angeles, CA, 90013