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item_10_-_desk_item.2025_building_and_fire_codes

Los Gatos City Council
November 4, 2025

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item_10_-_desk_item.2025_building_and_fire_codes
Meeting
November 4, 2025
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Los Gatos City Council
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Text extracted from the city's file for reading and search. Open the original on losgatos-ca.municodemeetings.com. That file is the official record.

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

DESK ITEM
DATE: November 4, 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 4, 2025
REMARKS:

Attachment 7 includes public comments received between 11:01 a.m., Monday, November 3, 2025, and 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, November 4, 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
Previously Received with the November 3, 2025, Addendum:

6. Public Comments Received Between 11:01 A.M., Friday, October 31, 2025, and 11:00 A.M., Monday, November 3, 2025
Attachments Received with this Desk Item:

7. Public Comments Received Between 11:01 A.M., Monday, November 3, 2025, and 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, November 4, 2025

8. Staff Presentation
From: Los Gatos Saratoga Campbell SVYCA Action Team
Sent: Monday, November 3, 2025 9:30 PM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment on Upcoming City Council Meeting [EXTERNAL SENDER]
Hello, my name is Julie, and I am 15 years old. I’m speaking on behalf of the Saratoga/Los Gatos Youth Climate Action Team.

Heat pumps are an efficient and cost-saving solution that allow residents to replace their gas furnaces with clean electric alternatives. They help reduce harmful indoor air pollution from gas appliances and lower energy bills over time. Both Los Gatos and Saratoga have set climate goals to reduce emissions from buildings, and supporting heat pump adoption directly aligns with those goals.

I urge you to support policies and incentives that make heat pump installation more accessible for local residents.

Thank you for your consideration.

ATTACHMENT 7

SAN MATEO, SANTA CLARA & SAN BENITO COUNTIES
November 4, 2025
Dear Mayor Hudes and Los Gatos Councilmembers,
The undersigned organizations are writing to voice our strong support for adoption of the 2025 CALGreen reach code to encourage that all air conditioning (AC) replacements in single-family homes include both cooling and heating modes. These two-way ACs, commonly known as heat pumps, reduce climate pollution and lower energy costs. Our communities are already directly experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis, and the time for bold action is now.

The policy, often referred to as an Air Conditioner to Heat Pump Replacement Policy or “AC2HP” code, is in line with Los Gatos’ sustainability goals. With available incentives, the upfront cost of a heat pump is equivalent to AC replacement, and the superior efficiency of heat pumps can provide monthly bill savings, making this policy a win-win for Los Gatos.

AC2HP Policies Support Los Gatos’ General Plan Goals and Policies The Los Gatos General Plan Goal ENV-9 states that the Town should “support local and regional efforts in the Town’s response to climate change.” The adoption of AC2HP building codes is supported by numerous policies within this goal, including the following policies.

ENV-9.3 Support Climate Change Initiatives: Support initiatives, legislation, and actions to respond to climate change.

ENV-9.6 Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Use: Promote energy conservation in business and residential uses by encouraging installation of fixture and appliance upgrades, installation of solar panels, and other retrofits to existing structures.

ENV-9.10 Encourage and Incentivize Alternative Fuels: Support the use of non-polluting fuels by encouraging the inclusion of facilities for alternative fuels in new public and private developments and by offering incentives to encourage retrofits.

ENV-9.11 Green Building: Foster awareness and encourage adoption of green building practices that include the design and development of environmentally responsible commercial and residential development and retrofits.

ENV-9.13 Regional Green Building Programs: Coordinate with other local governments, special districts, nonprofits, and other public organizations to share resources, achieve economies of scale, and develop green building policies and programs that are optimized on a regional scale.

Heat Pumps Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Air Pollution AC2HP policies not only incentivize appliances with twice the functionality of conventional air conditioning units, they also help to offset or completely eliminate the use and future replacement of fossil fuel powered furnaces, because heat pumps can both heat and cool homes.

A heat pump with a backup furnace uses about 95% less gas compared to a conventional air conditioner paired with a gas furnace. Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced significantly in the first year, and over the life of the appliance, emissions will continue to decline toward zero as the electric grid is decarbonized.

Beyond just greenhouse gas emission reductions, heat pumps also eliminate harmful indoor and outdoor nitrogen oxides (NOx), which cause smog. This local air pollution worsens many health conditions, such as asthma. Malfunctioning gas furnaces can also cause fatal carbon monoxide poisoning. Based on national trends, outdoor air pollution disproportionately impacts low income and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, as non-white racial and ethnic groups are disproportionately exposed to ozone and other criteria pollutants such as NOx, PM2.5, and CO.1 By adopting AC2HP policy, Los Gatos would take meaningful steps to reduce this pollution, and ensure clean air for all.

AC2HP Policies Can Save Households Money on Monthly Energy Bills The best time for households to switch to a heat pump is when they need to replace their air conditioner, rather than when they need to replace their furnace. This is because an existing AC system has the necessary electric wiring and capacity in place to allow for a drop-in replacement with a heat pump. In contrast, replacing a gas furnace with a heat pump could require electric upgrades that could make installation more costly.

However, when air conditioners fail, HVAC contractors often recommend like-for-like replacements, depriving customers of the opportunity to instead install a heat pump which displaces polluting gas heating and the need for an expensive furnace replacement later. While the initial cost of installing two-way heat pumps is about $2,000 more than one-way air conditioning, the significant financial incentives in place at the state level and through the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Community Choice Aggregator can actually make these appliances more 1 Timothy Q. Donaghy et al., “Fossil fuel racism in the United States: How phasing out coal oil and gas can protect communities " Energy Research & Social Science 100:103104, June 2023.
sierraclub.org/loma-prieta ~ 3921 East Bayshore Road, Suite 204, Palo Alto, CA 94303 affordable for Los Gatos residents.2 Furthermore, eliminating the need to replace a gas furnace will avoid thousands of dollars in future costs.

In addition to being all electric, heat pumps are also extremely efficient, generally 3 to 4 times more so than conventional gas furnaces. This means that when households make the switch to heat pumps, they can reduce their monthly energy consumption and utility bills.

We urge you to adopt the AC2HP reach code to further Los Gatos’ progress in reducing air and climate pollution and helping residents save money on their energy bills. We support additional efforts to make permitting for these appliance replacements quicker and easier for residents.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Dashiell Leeds
Conservation Coordinator
Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter
2 Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Home Rebates, https://svcleanenergy.org/home-rebates/ sierraclub.org/loma-prieta ~ 3921 East Bayshore Road, Suite 204, Palo Alto, CA 94303 From: David Allen Rivas
Sent: Monday, November 3, 2025 8:20 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Vote NO on more electrification!
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Mayor and Council,
I write to urge you to approve Item 10 with No Mandatory Reach Code Requirements. These requirements only create unnecessary costs and complications for homeowners. I ask that you please consider:

1. Electrification, and electric service upgrades, that are unrelated to the project at hand only add more costs and delays that homeowners weren't expecting. This could even stop home hardening projects, or other efficiency projects, that would otherwise occur.

2. Delays working with PG&E are often two to three months and can easily add over $50,000 in costs if trenching or coordinating service shutoff is required. This should only occur, when necessary, not just because.

3. Regional and state agencies are already managing the transition of several appliances from gas to electric. This should be best left to those agencies with expertise and the ability to better evaluate how to do so. Los Gatos getting ahead of these timelines will complicate these updates for those who really need it or are ready for it now.

4. Include your own anecdote or talking point....

Respectfully, we know REACH codes are an important tool in addressing environmental safety, but they should be implemented when necessary, not in an arbitrary way that increases costs and complicates work for homeowners.

Thank you,
David Allen Rivas Founder
Realtor-Real Estate Company
Residential and Commercial Services
Less Stress Property Management
My Area Specialist
Residential and Commercial sales, purchase, leasing & Management Email is not secure or confidential. David Allen Rivas Broker will never request that you send money, ask for a credit or debit card or any personal information you do not want on the web. If you are asked for any of this information do not respond and call David Allen Rivas Broker immediately at
From: Judy Tucker
Sent: Monday, November 3, 2025 7:37 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Please vote no on unnecessary electrification
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Mayor and Council,
I write to urge you to approve Item 10 with No Mandatory Reach Code Requirements. These requirements create potentially illegal unpermitted work or avoidance of doing important repairs/upgrades due to unnecessary costs and complications for homeowners. Just living comfortably and safely has become so expensive overall that adding unnecessary expenditures should be illegal. Please consider:

1. Electrification, and electric service upgrades, that are unrelated to the project at hand only add more costs and delays that homeowners weren't expecting. This could even stop home hardening projects, or other efficiency projects, that would otherwise occur.

2. Delays working with PG&E are often two to three months and can easily add over $50,000 in costs if trenching or coordinating service shutoff is required. This should only occur when necessary.

4. Regional and state agencies are already managing the transition of several appliances from gas to electric. This should be best left to those agencies with expertise. Los Gatos getting ahead of these timelines will complicate these updates for those who really need it or are ready for it now..

Respectfully, we know REACH codes are an important tool in addressing environmental safety, but they should be implemented when necessary, not in an arbitrary way that increases costs and complicates work for homeowners.

Thank you, Judith Tucker
From: Mary Cohen-Compass
Sent: Monday, November 3, 2025 7:45 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Electrification requirenent
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Mayor and Council,
I write to urge you to approve Item 10 with No Mandatory Reach Code Requirements. These requirements only create unnecessary costs and complications for homeowners. I've been a Realtor in the Los Gatos/Saratoga areas for 35 years and are well aware of the cost of buying and maintaining property in the Bay Area. This consideration will certainly be a debilitating weight on the backs of our homeowners.

I ask that you please consider:

1. Electrification, and electric service upgrades, that are unrelated to the project at hand only add more costs and delays that homeowners weren't expecting. This could even stop home hardening projects, or other efficiency projects, that would otherwise occur.

2. Delays working with PG&E are often two to three months and can easily add over $50,000 in costs if trenching or coordinating service shutoff is required. This should only occur, when necessary, not just because.

3. Regional and state agencies are already managing the transition of several appliances from gas to electric. This should be best left to those agencies with expertise and the ability to better evaluate how to do so. Los Gatos getting ahead of these timelines will complicate these updates for those who really need it or are ready for it now.

4. Include your own anecdote or talking point....

Respectfully, we know REACH codes are an important tool in addressing environmental safety, but they should be implemented when necessary, not in an arbitrary way that increases costs and complicates work for homeowners.

Thank you,

MARY COHEN
Realtor®, SRES, QSC

COMPASS

From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, November 3, 2025 5:13 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Reach Code Vote
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I am a property manager here in town and urge younot to add any requirements for extra electrification improvements for pulling permits. See below.

We manage 600 properties. In my experience, insurance companies are already beating you to the punch. At annual policy renewal time, they send an inspector to the property and if the electrical panels are not modern or plumbing is galvanized or the roof is wooden shake they simply drop the policy. Then the owner has to go with the California "Fair Plan" (The name Fair Plan is a misnomer if there ever was one).

In Sunnyvale we had an owner paying $3K annually for insurance, the insurance company sent an inspector and dropped the policy because the panels were old. The owners were willing to do the work but the problem was we had to wait more than 6 months for PG&E to approve the plans and then upgrade their part of the service which was an additional 3 months more, then one month more to coordinate the power shut off and turn back on at the pole for the days of the work. The "Fair Plan" cost the owners $17,500.00 annually plus the $65K for the work. The project was just finished and the owners are now applying for regular insurance (they are waiting for their new inspection).

We currently have this same situation with four more properties. Everything on our part is done, we are simply waiting for PG&E to do their part. The smaller the project the longer they make you wait (We have one that was approved in January this year and there are no updates available). PG&E is inundated with panel replacement work and completely understaffed. During the Sunnyvale project, two project managers assigned to us quit PG&E because they were so frustrated with their situation.

Please don't make your constituents go through the same thing I live with everyday managing these projects.

My best,
Paul
Paul Prouty
National CPM Inc.

From: Tammie Peters
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 9:45 AM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: APPROVE ITEM 10 WITH NO MANDATORY REACH CODE REQUIREMENTS [EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Mayor and Council,
I write to urge you to approve Item 10 with No Mandatory Reach Code Requirements. These requirements only create unnecessary costs and complications for homeowners. I ask that you please consider:

1. Electrification and electric service upgrades that are unrelated to the project at hand only add more costs and delays that homeowners weren't expecting. This could even stop home hardening projects, or other efficiency projects that would otherwise occur.

2. Delays working with PG&E are often two to three months and can easily add over $50,000 in costs if trenching or coordinating service shutoff is required. This should only occur when necessary, not just because.

3. Regional and state agencies are already managing the transition of several appliances from gas to electric. This should be best left to those agencies with expertise and the ability to better evaluate how to do so. Los Gatos getting ahead of these timelines will complicate these updates for those who really need it or are ready for it now.

I’m a Realtor® who has had water heaters fail during escrow, so I’ve seen firsthand how timing can impact a sale. If this requirement goes into effect, it could seriously jeopardize a real estate transaction, not because of the cost, but because the timeline for replacing a water heater and upgrading the electrical panel is not quick.

Coordinating permits, scheduling PG&E for the power shut-off and reconnection, and completing city inspections can easily take several weeks. A delay like that could push the close of escrow past the buyer’s rate-lock date, causing them to lose their interest rate, and in some cases, their ability to qualify at all, especially if they are rate-sensitive and already near their debt-to-income limit.

Respectfully, we know REACH codes are an important tool in addressing environmental safety, but they should be implemented when necessary, not in an arbitrary way that increases costs and complicates work for homeowners.

Thank you,
Tammie Peters
REALTOR®, CRS, SRES, CNE
Silicon Valley Association of Realtors 2025 President
Board Member - California and Silicon Valley Assoc. of Realtors From:

Sent: Monday, November 3, 2025 6:02 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Cc: Matthew Hudes <[email protected]>; Rob Moore <[email protected]>; Mary Badame <[email protected]>; Maria Ristow <[email protected]>; Rob Rennie <[email protected]>
Subject: Please Vote No on Mandatory Electrification Requirements (Item 10) [EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
I am writing to urge you to approve Item 10 with no mandatory Reach Code requirements. These measures would place unnecessary financial and logistical burdens on Los Gatos homeowners who simply wish to make improvements to their properties.

Requiring additional electrification work—such as panel upgrades or expanded service capacity—just for pulling a permit adds thousands of dollars in unexpected costs and months of delay. For many, this can make essential projects unaffordable and/or infeasible.

Please consider the following:
• Unrelated costs and delays: Electrification upgrades not directly related to a permitted project can add $10,000–$50,000 or more, depending on trenching or PG&E coordination. This can prevent residents from moving forward with homehardening, energy-efficiency, or safety improvements. • PG&E backlog: Upgrading electric service can take two to three months or longer due to limited scheduling availability. This adds hardship and discourages compliance.
• Regional planning: State and regional agencies are already guiding the transition to electric systems. Aligning with their timelines ensures an equitable and efficient shift without burdening homeowners prematurely.

As a Los Gatos resident, I strongly support responsible sustainability goals but Reach Codes should be implemented thoughtfully and only when necessary—not in ways that increase costs or create unnecessary barriers for homeowners.

Thank you for your consideration,
Debra Chin
From: Rebecca Joy Homes
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 10:02 AM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Reach Code
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Los Gatos City Council,
Please consider opposing the proposed Reach Code.

I am opposed to the reach code because it is a mandate and not a recommendation.

The cost to homeowners will be huge and unforeseen. Imaging the repercussions to our senior community. No senior person has in their life plan a line item to spend their savings on an electrical mandate.

Furthermore, is the City of Los Gatos prepared for the increase of labor, permit request , upgrading the neighborhood transformers and the infrastructure involved to support the reach code mandate for the residence in a timely manner? Please oppose this reach code.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Selden
From: margaret chui
Sent: Monday, November 3, 2025 4:30 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: For Item 10 with No Mandatory Reach Code Requirements [EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Mayor and Council,
I write to urge you to approve Item 10 with No Mandatory Reach Code Requirements. These requirements only create unnecessary costs and complications for homeowners. I ask that you please consider:

1. Electrification, and electric service upgrades, that are unrelated to the project at hand only add more costs and delays that homeowners weren't expecting. This could even stop home hardening projects, or other efficiency projects, that would otherwise occur.

2. Delays working with PG&E are often two to three months and can easily add over $50,000 in costs if trenching or coordinating service shutoff is required. This should only occur, when necessary, not just because.

3. Regional and state agencies are already managing the transition of several appliances from gas to electric. This should be best left to those agencies with expertise and the ability to better evaluate how to do so. Los Gatos getting ahead of these timelines will complicate these updates for those who really need it or are ready for it now.

4. Include your own anecdote or talking point....

Respectfully, we know REACH codes are an important tool in addressing environmental safety, but they should be implemented when necessary, not in an arbitrary way that increases costs and complicates work for homeowners.

Thank you,
Margaret Chui
Property owner
Margaret Chui SRES (24/7)
Realtor

Referrals are recognitions of a job well done
please excuse the abbreviated words, sentences, and misspelled items, as they are not done intentionally From: hamid pumaestates.com
Sent: Monday, November 3, 2025 11:09 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Cc: hamid pumaestates.com
Subject: Reach codes
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Mayor and Council,
Please do not include mandatory reach code requirements within item 10 of the agenda to be considered on 11/4/2025. I understand that REACH codes are an important tool in addressing environmental safety, but they should be implemented when necessary and not in an arbitrary way that increases costs and complicates work for homeowners especially in advance of the timelines of those state agencies which are tasked to implement them.

Thank you so much,
Hamid Rezvani
Los Gatos resident
From: Perry Salama
Sent: Monday, November 3, 2025 3:42 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Electrification
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Mayor and Council,
I write to urge you to approve Item 10 with No Mandatory Reach Code Requirements. These requirements only create unnecessary costs and complications for homeowners. I ask that you please consider:

1. Electrification, and electric service upgrades, that are unrelated to the project at hand only add more costs and delays that homeowners weren't expecting. This could even stop home hardening projects, or other efficiency projects, that would otherwise occur.

2. Delays working with PG&E are often two to three months and can easily add over $50,000 in costs if trenching or coordinating service shutoff is required. This should only occur, when necessary, not just because.

3. Regional and state agencies are already managing the transition of several appliances from gas to electric. This should be best left to those agencies with expertise and the ability to better evaluate how to do so. Los Gatos getting ahead of these timelines will complicate these updates for those who really need it or are ready for it now
Respectfully, we know REACH codes are an important tool in addressing environmental safety, but they should be implemented when necessary, not in an arbitrary way that increases costs and complicates work for homeowners.

Thank you,
Perry Salama
Realtor®
From: Jim Hamilton
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 9:39 AM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Mandatory REACH code requirements
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Mayor and Council,
I write to urge you to approve Item 10 with No Mandatory Reach Code Requirements. These requirements only create unnecessary costs and complications for homeowners. I ask that you please consider:

1. Electrification, and electric service upgrades, that are unrelated to the project at hand only add more costs and delays that homeowners weren't expecting. This could even stop home hardening projects, or other efficiency projects, that would otherwise occur.

2. Delays working with PG&E are often two to three months and can easily add over $50,000 in costs if trenching or coordinating service shutoff is required. This should only occur, when necessary, not just because.

4. Regional and state agencies are already managing the transition of several appliances from gas to electric. This should be best left to those agencies with expertise and the ability to better evaluate how to do so. Los Gatos getting ahead of these timelines will complicate these updates for those who really need it or are ready for it now.

Respectfully, we know REACH codes are an important tool in addressing environmental safety, but they should be implemented when necessary, not in an arbitrary way that increases costs and complicates work for homeowners.

Jim Hamilton
Compass
Broker Associate
From: W. Gene Hunt
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 6:42 AM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Reach code and electrification -- URGENT
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Good morning Council,
I am unable to make the meeting this morning and, so, write this urgent email to you.

I am a citizen of Los Gatos and have lived here for many years, both in the hillside and now in the downtown area. I understand you're discussing Reach Codes and the electrification issue this morning.

I urge you to VOTE NO on any new Reach Code or any issue in furtherance of electrification.

The cost to a homeowner could be catastrophic, especially for those on limited incomes. While electrification has good intent, the mandates effectively takes property or equity from home owners.

Though the BAAQMD has passed a mandate towards the elimination of gas water heaters and gas furnaces, there is growing opposition from the public as they become aware of this. In fact, the public in the SCAQMD have already defeated an attempt to impose a mandate and the Federal Attorney General for the Central District of California has issued a public letter reminding those involved of potential consequences for depriving citizens of their rights to use and enjoy any energy source they choose.

Additionally, the State of California passed a law recently imposing a moratorium on any new Reach Codes. Please abide by the law and dismiss this issue post haste.

Thank you for reading this.

W. Gene Hunt
From: Dallas, Adam D
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 10:39 AM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Item 10
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Mayor and Council,
I write to urge you to approve Item 10 with No Mandatory Reach Code Requirements. These requirements only create unnecessary costs and complications for homeowners. I ask that you please consider:

1. Electrification, and electric service upgrades, that are unrelated to the project at hand only add more costs and delays that homeowners weren't expecting. This could even stop home hardening projects, or other efficiency projects, that would otherwise occur.

2. Delays working with PG&E are often two to three months and can easily add over $50,000 in costs if trenching or coordinating service shutoff is required. This should only occur, when necessary, not just because.

3. Regional and state agencies are already managing the transition of several appliances from gas to electric. This should be best left to those agencies with expertise and the ability to better evaluate how to do so. Los Gatos getting ahead of these timelines will complicate these updates for those who really need it or are ready for it now.

Respectfully, we know REACH codes are an important tool in addressing environmental safety, but they should be implemented when necessary, not in an arbitrary way that increases costs and complicates work for homeowners.

Thank you,

ADAM DALLAS
REALTOR ® |
*Wire Fraud is Real*. Before wiring any money, call the intended recipient at a number you know is valid to confirm the instructions. Additionally, please note that the sender does not have authority to bind a party to a real estate contract via written or verbal communication.

From: kmballou1
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 10:20 AM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Approve item 10 No Mandatory Reach Code Requirements [EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Mayor and Council,
I write to urge you to approve Item 10 with No Mandatory Reach Code Requirements. These requirements only create unnecessary costs and complications for homeowners. I ask that you please consider:

1. Electrification, and electric service upgrades, that are unrelated to the project at hand only add more costs and delays that homeowners weren't expecting. This could even stop home hardening projects, or other efficiency projects, that would otherwise occur.

2. Delays working with PG&E are often two to three months and can easily add over $50,000 in costs if trenching or coordinating service shutoff is required. This should only occur, when necessary, not just because.

3. Regional and state agencies are already managing the transition of several appliances from gas to electric. This should be best left to those agencies with expertise and the ability to better evaluate how to do so. Los Gatos getting ahead of these timelines will complicate these updates for those who really need it or are ready for it now.

4. Respectfully, we know REACH codes are an important tool in addressing environmental safety, but they should be implemented when necessary, not in an arbitrary way that increases costs and complicates work for homeowners.

Thank you,
Krist Ballou
Los Gatos Resident/ homeowner
2025 Building and Fire Code
Adoption
Town Council Meeting
November 4, 2025
ATTACHMENT 8

BACKGROUND
• The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) adopts a new edition of the California Building Standards Code every three years. • Local Jurisdictions are required to adopt and enforce the new codes that take effect January 1, 2026.
• Local Jurisdictions may make local amendments that are more restrictive if justified by local climatic, geological, geographical, or topographical conditions that effect public health, safety, and welfare.

RECENT LEGISLATION
AB 130 restricts local amendments to the California Building Standards Code that apply to residential development from October 1, 2025,
through June 1, 2031. Two consecutive three-year code cycles.

Limited exceptions include:
• Amendments substantially equivalent to those in effect before September 30, 2025;
• Emergency amendments to protect health and safety;
• Amendments related to home hardening;
• Amendments necessary to implement a general plan adopted before June 10, 2025, that supports greenhouse-gas reduction while allowing mixed-fuel construction; and
• Administrative efficiency amendments that reduce permitting time or cost.

NEW WUI REQUIREMENTS
The new California Wildland Urban Interface Code (CWUI), is included with this code adoption.

Applies to all designated fire hazard severity zones.
• New buildings
• Additions or alterations to existing buildings
• Window and door replacements
Chapter Title Date
Reach Code Amendments
Amendments Do Not Amendments Do
Ban gas appliances Encourage efficiency and reduce pollution Apply to every building or permit
Require panel or service upgrades
Add unnecessary difficulty for residents
Focus on specific, common-sense
opportunities
Allow exceptions for a panel or service
upgrade
Allow exceptions when it’s too difficult or
costly

POTENTIAL REACH CODES
AC to Heat Pump:
• Install a heat pump in place of either the furnace or AC unit, using the existing furnace as backup where retained; or
• Install a high-efficiency AC unit and implement building energy improvements such as enhanced attic insulation or duct sealing.

Electric Readiness:
• When electrical work occurs within three feet of a gas appliance, the project must include conduit and panel capacity to
accommodate a future electric appliance.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the Town Council consider and take one of the following actions:
• Option 1 – Core Building Code Update with Reach Codes: Adopt a Resolution (Attachment 1) confirming Town Policy on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and introduce an Ordinance (Attachment 2) adopting the new California Building Codes as amended.
• Option 2 – Core Building Code Update only (No Reach Codes): Introduce an Ordinance (Attachment 4) adopting the new California Building Codes as amended.

QUESTIONS?

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