Energy: general plan: building decarbonization requirements.

The Planning and Zoning Law requires a city or county to adopt a comprehensive general plan that addresses a number of elements. Existing law requires, among other things, the city's or county's planning agency to investigate and make recommendations to the legislative body regarding reasonable and practical means for implementing the general plan or element of the general plan. Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to assess, by January 1, 2021, the potential for the state to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases from the state's residential and commercial building stock by at least 40 percent below 1990 levels by January 1, 2030. This bill would require a city or county to make, commencing January 1, 2023, a one-time amendment to the appropriate elements of its general plan, climate action or greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan, or building or other codes, as described, to include goals, policies, objectives, targets, and feasible implementation strategies, as specified, to decarbonize newly constructed, as defined, commercial and residential buildings. The bill would require a city or county to submit these draft amendments to the commission at least 45 days prior to the adoption of the amendments. The bill would require the legislative body of the city or county to consider the commission's advisory comments, if any, prior to adopting the amendments. The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.