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Building Energy Retrofits

What do you think about the City's proposed policy that would require major residential building renovations to be more energy efficient?

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75 registered responses


Did you view the workshop video provided above?

Response Percent Response Count
Yes 89.3% 67
No 10.7% 8

What feedback do you have on the proposed policy (including project applicability, compliance measures, and exemptions)?

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Christine Mulholland inside Neighborhood 8
April 9, 2024, 11:19 AM
  • Did you view the workshop video provided above?
    • Yes
  • What feedback do you have on the proposed policy (including project applicability, compliance measures, and exemptions)?

    I will agree with the letter submitted by former mayor, Peg Pinard, whose comments speak well to my own thoughts.

    This proposal mirrors what has created some of our lack of affordable housing. The city plans for a variety of housing levels, but can't seem to say no to developers of big homes, so that's what we get, even though we say want smaller and more affordable options. "Low income programs are on the way." That is where you should begin. New home builders are already incorporating efficiency.

    Transportation is the biggest creator of unwanted emissions, yet our calculations do not consider the heavy addition of jet planes coming and going, a major freeway though the town, the number of visitors who drive here, use our infrastructure, building a new parking garage while making it more difficult for residents to access downtown.

    In short, this is a punitive proposal which will highly impact residents in older and often smaller homes.

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Step 1: Read this:

To help cut greenhouse gas emissions fom energy use in San Luis Obispo, City staff have developed a draft policy for major additions and major alterations to exiting buildings. The proposed policy would:

  • Require major residential additions of 500 or more square feet and major residential alterations affecting 50% of a home’s total floor space to include energy efficiency measures;
  • Offer three compliance pathways for project owners to choose from including installing energy efficiency measures such as attic and pipe insulation, installing a heat pump water heater, or installing a heat pump air heating/cooling system;
  • Require zero-emission readiness via reserved breakers, conduit, and wiring runs, and labeled outlets for future zero-emission appliance upgrades in projects that are electively upgrading their electrical service and electrical panel; and
  • Provide exemptions for projects that are the result of a repair, have previously installed energy efficiency measures, or projects that would be financially or physically infeasible.

Importantly, the proposed policy would not regulate gas cooking equipment or other kitchen equipment or appliances, require electrification, or be triggered by small projects like floorings, window replacement, kitchen upgrades, or single appliance replacements, due to regulatory limitations. 

Step 2: Download and review the presentation slides OR watch the video below. 

Staff presented the proposed policy at two workshops in March of 2024. At these workshops, staff provided an in-depth presentation about the proposed policy. A recorded version of the presentation is available below. Download and review the presentation slides. 

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