IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Starting Jan. 6, Riverside will require most new buildings to be all-electric.
That regulation, which the city council approved 4-3 on Tuesday, will apply to all structures three stories or less, according to a statement on the city’s website.
After Jan. 1, 2026, all new Riverside buildings will have to be completely electric regardless of height. Exceptions will be made for commercial kitchens, manufacturing facilities, and water heating for affordable housing, if net metering is not available.
There will be an appeal process for buildings in which all-electric may not be workable.
The regulation is part of Riverside’s goal to be carbon-free by 2040.
“By passing this ordinance, we are showing everyone that Riverside is a trailblazer leading the way towards a breathable and sustainable future,” said Councilman Ronaldo Fierro, who voted in favor of the regulation, said in the the statement. “Our goal from the outset was to craft an emission reduction strategy that makes sense for Riversiders.”
The all-electric mandate took about 18 months to put together, a process that included several public meetings. More than 60 California cities have mandated all-electric buildings, according to the statement.
