September 15, 2025
San Rafael City Council
1400 5th Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
RE: Updated Building Code Ordinance Amendments
Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
Updating our August 18 and September 2 letters on this item, Sustainable San Rafael remains supportive of adoption of the strengthened Building Code provisions proposed by staff, including higher target levels effective in 2027 for San Rafael's existing flex path reach code for building
rehabilitations.
Based on discussion at the previous Council meeting, we urge that the City avail itself of the 'exemptions' allowed by AB 130 to further increase these flex path target levels when
considering amendments during the next code cycle in 2028.
That presents the opportunity for the City to set the targets that it originally proposed and found cost-effective at its August 18 meeting for the entire six-year period during which AB 130 remains in effect.
In compliance with the State's requirements, this subsequent action would align with San Rafael's General Plan 2040, including Program C-4.1D, that calls for "electrification of building systems and appliances in new buildings and those that currently use natural gas. This should be achieved by requiring new or replacement furnaces and appliances to be electric and utilize fossil free energy."
Thank you for maintaining the City's momentum towards the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions from its homes.
Sincerely,
William Carney,
Vice President
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Annika Osborn, Co-President
Ben Snyder, Co-President
William Carney, Vice President
Miles Smith, Secretary
Greg Brockbank
Kay Karchevski
Kiki La Porta
Rina Lopez
Phil Muller
Marisa Nordstrom
Stuart Siegel
415.302.0110