Sunnyvale Moves Forward with Electric Update Requirements

The City of Sunnyvale passed a requirement that would require anyone applying for a city building, electrical or mechanical permit to also upgrade the electrical wiring and panel space to show they have the capacity for future electrification of all appliances.

While this is not a strict mandate, it has the potential to require an extra $10,000 to $20,000 in cost for something as simple as a bathroom renovation. It is unclear why Sunnyvale felt it necessary to make this regulation now, when regional and state mandates to replace appliances at the end of their useful life begin in 2027 and 2030.

However, thanks to REALTOR® efforts and responses to the council, the city did agree to conduct community outreach with the potential to delay enforcement or provide exemptions. It is unclear how or when that outreach will occur because city staff was under a state mandate to get any changes into the 2026 building code by Oct. 1.

While this is not an ideal outcome, city officials have already agreed to meet with REALTOR® groups and discuss the challenges of implementing and enforcing such a policy soon.

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