Natural gas infrastructure, pollution from combustion, and climate change pose risks to human health and safety, community resilience, and equity. To reduce these risks, San Francisco adopted the All-Electric New Construction Ordinance.
The Ordinance applies to all new buildings that apply for permits after June 1, 2021. The ordinance requires space-conditioning, water heating, cooking, lighting and clothes drying systems to be All-Electric, and prohibits infrastructure and piping of natural gas or propane to such uses. Gas could be allowed in isolated cases if all-electric was determined to be physically or technically infeasible, but all other options must be exhausted first. Gas may be allowed for commercial cooking, in limited circumstances.
The ordinance requires all-electric buildings to permanently remain all-electric, but does not impact additions or alterations to existing buildings with natural gas piping.
There are all-electric buildings of all sizes and uses in San Francisco today. These buildings have complied with California’s Title 24 Energy Standards – combining energy efficient design with all-electric equipment.
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