Ordinance Amendments to the City of East Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapters 15.04, 15.08, 15.10, 15.11, 15.12, 15.15, 15.16, 15.20, 15.25, 15.32, and 15.58
Summary
SCH Number
2026030987
Public Agency
City of East Palo Alto
Document Title
Ordinance Amendments to the City of East Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapters 15.04, 15.08, 15.10, 15.11, 15.12, 15.15, 15.16, 15.20, 15.25, 15.32, and 15.58
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/24/2026
Document Description
The City of East Palo Alto adopted an ordinance amending various chapters of the East Palo Alto Municipal Code to adopt by reference the 2025 California Building Standards Code and to incorporate local “Reach Code” amendments to Chapter 15.25 (California Energy Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 6) for existing single-family and nonresidential buildings. The Reach Codes require cost-effective energy efficiency and electrification measures triggered by specific voluntary project activities, including: (1) Two-Way AC requirements when air conditioning is added or replaced in existing single-family homes; (2) Two-Way AC requirements when single-zone air conditioning is added or replaced in existing nonresidential buildings; (3) FlexPath energy efficiency or electrification measures for single-family additions and alterations of 1,000 square feet or more; and (4) electric readiness requirements when relevant electrical alterations are performed in existing single-family buildings. The ordinance also ratifies Menlo Park Fire Protection District Ordinance No. 59-2025 (2025 District Fire Prevention Code). Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 25402.1(h)(2) and Section 10-106 of the 2025 California Administrative Code, the City will apply to the California Energy Commission for a determination that the locally adopted energy efficiency standards are cost-effective and require buildings to consume no more energy than permitted by the 2025 California Energy Code.
Contact Information
Name
Donald Zhao
Agency Name
City of East Palo Alto
Job Title
Interim Chief Building Official
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
East Palo Alto
Counties
San Mateo
Regions
Citywide
Zip
94303
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, § 15308.
Reasons for Exemption
This action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) in that the standards set forth in the ordinance are more protective of the environment than the California Energy Code standards, and there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. As a separate and independent basis, this action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15308 in that the standards set forth in the ordinance assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement or protection of natural resources and the environment. In addition, CEQA Guidelines section 15183 (Projects Consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan, or Zoning) applies to the project in that the standards set forth in the Ordinance are consistent with the General Plan and the Climate Action Plan.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, § 15061(b)(3) and
Reasons for Exemption
This action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) in that the standards set forth in the ordinance are more protective of the environment than the California Energy Code standards, and there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. As a separate and independent basis, this action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15308 in that the standards set forth in the ordinance assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement or protection of natural resources and the environment. In addition, CEQA Guidelines section 15183 (Projects Consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan, or Zoning) applies to the project in that the standards set forth in the Ordinance are consistent with the General Plan and the Climate Action Plan.
County Clerk
San Mateo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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