Tiburon updates codes for energy efficiency, fire safety

Tiburon has updated its municipal code to strengthen fire regulations and move closer to climate goals.

The Town Council, meeting on Wednesday, adopted ordinances set forth by the Southern Marin and Tiburon fire districts. It also approved and expanded on state-mandated green building codes.

The updated fire codes mandate more stringent building standards to protect residents from increased fire risks because of the area’s geography and climate.

The fire districts said the dry conditions, steep cliffs, dense vegetation and winding streets in the area require them to expand upon California’s fire code requirements. The districts’ amendments include updates to construction practices, access roads regulations for fire vehicles, and vegetation plan requirements.

Along with adopting California’s latest green building codes, the town also readopted codes that go beyond the state’s base sustainability requirements. These included regulations on electric-vehicle charging capabilities at single-family dwellings and stricter sustainability requirements for larger developments like housing complexes and hotels.

“Tiburon has long prided itself on being ahead of the curve in terms of dealing with sustainability and climate change and green codes and this is another step on that path,” Mayor Jon Welner said about the proposed updates at the council meeting on Nov. 19.

California’s latest mandates for green building codes will broaden the use of heat pumps, boost ventilation standards and encourage “electric-readiness” across the state. Town staff identified Tiburon’s need for these types of improvements.

“In Tiburon, a large portion of building-related emissions comes from combustion of natural gas for space and water heating,” town staff wrote in a report to the council. “The proposed standards recognize the emission disparity between buildings fueled by electricity and those fueled by natural gas.”

“Electrifying our buildings can result in reduced GHG emissions and improved indoor air quality,” the report said, referring to greenhouse gases. “By exceeding the statewide minimum standards, Tiburon continues to demonstrate leadership while delivering local energy savings and health benefits.”

In 2022, Tiburon approved its 2030 climate plan, which set a goal of “reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases to 50% below 1990 levels by the year 2030.” The updated regulations will incentivize more all-electric construction in Tiburon, but also allow for mixed-fuel construction projects.

“We will meet our climate action goals,” said Councilmember Holli Thier. “We’re definitely on that path.”