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San Rafael, CA

Recent Actions

2024

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Local Commitment(s)

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Resolutions, Ordinances, or Other Climate Legislation

This assessment is based on one ordinance. San Rafael updated its building codes to reduce climate-related emissions by requiring electric vehicle charging infrastructure in new buildings and limiting natural gas piping in new construction. New homes and duplexes must include charging circuits for electric vehicles, while larger buildings like hotels and apartment complexes must provide varying levels of EV charging availability. The ordinance also restricts the installation of gas piping in new buildings, with limited exceptions for emergency generators, commercial kitchens, and industrial uses, and prevents expansion of gas infrastructure in existing homes unless overall gas consumption decreases or stays the same. These changes address greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas use and distribution while accounting for San Rafael’s local climate risks, including fire hazards, flooding, and earthquake vulnerability.

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Reports & Planning Documents

This overview is based on three climate planning documents from San Rafael addressing emissions reduction and building efficiency. The city has adopted Climate Change Action Plans targeting 40% emissions reduction below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% by 2050, focusing primarily on transportation (the largest emissions source at 61-62%), buildings, and waste management. Key initiatives include promoting zero-emission vehicle adoption, expanding public transit, implementing building energy retrofits, increasing local solar energy production to 24% of electricity, and diverting organic waste. The city has also proposed a Building Reach Code requiring energy efficiency upgrades for single-family remodel projects, affecting an estimated 40-60 projects annually with measures like electrification and solar installation.

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Local Climate Advocates

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