Somerville, MA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

Ordinance No. 2023-22 (11/9/2023) added Article VII, 'Fossil Fuel Free Construction,' to Chapter 6. 00 Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration and 225 CMR 22/23 Specialized Energy Code. Section 6-93 applies the restriction to residential and non-residential new construction and major renovation, excluding research laboratories and hospitals or medical offices regulated as health care facilities. Section 6-94(a) bars use of the Low-Rise Residential Code's 'Zero Energy Pathway' and 'Mixed Fuel Pathway' (225 CMR 22 Appendix RC) for new construction, subject to exceptions for emergency/standby power systems, heating and hot water from a district energy or central utility plant, and freestanding outdoor dining heaters not tied to gas or propane lines.

Subsection (b) applies the same pathway ban to commercial construction (225 CMR 23 Appendix CC), with additional carve-outs for autobody shops, onsite vehicle fueling, critical operations power systems, multifamily buildings over 12,000 square feet that filed before January 1, 2027 (gas/propane water heating only), and restaurant cooking equipment filed before January 1, 2035 with an electric-ready panel. The rule is enforced by the director of the inspectional services department or designee. Waivers are available under §6-95 for insufficient utility electric service, partially renovated multifamily buildings, historic buildings, and unconvertible manufacturing process loads, granted by the director of the office of sustainability and environment.