Starting January 1, 2026, new construction and remodels in Sonoma County will face major changes under the 2025 California Building Standards Code.
Permit Sonoma is alerting design professionals and residents about the shift toward wildfire resilience, clean energy, and sustainable building.
Key Impacts:
- Fire Safety: New requirements mandate ember-resistant vents for buildings in high-risk zones.
- Energy Shift: New homes must use all-electric heat pump systems for heating water and air, effectively phasing out standard gas furnaces.
- EV Ready: New residential buildings must install Level 2 electric vehicle chargers and outlets.
- Waste Reduction: All projects require a construction plan to divert at least 65% of materials from landfills.
Get Expert Help
Permit Sonoma is hosting “Ask the Building Expert” office hours online via Zoom this fall and winter to answer questions:
- October 30th at noon
- November 18th at 5 p.m.
- December 18th at noon
