On February 11, 2026, the Triennial Building Code and Green Building Incentive Program update were presented to the County of San Diego (County) Board of Supervisors for its first reading. These updates seek to reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions as part of implementation of the County’s Climate Action Plan. Every three years, California updates its Building Standards Code for the design and construction of buildings, additions, and renovations. The County’s proposal to adopt the 2025 code will ensure that all new and renovated buildings meet higher standards for energy efficiency, fire safety, accessibility, and sustainability.

While these changes are mandatory, they also create opportunities to improve building performance, minimize long-term energy costs by an estimated $4.8 billion statewide, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The updated Green Building Incentive Program complements the code changes by offering reduced fees and faster permitting for projects that exceed code requirements by adopting voluntary green practices. It also introduces new compliance options and expands eligibility criteria for energy efficiency and electrification improvements.