Seattle Ban on Natural Gas Heating in New Construction

In December 2020, Seattle announced new steps to further electrify buildings using clean energy and ban fossil fuels for most building use. By updating its energy code, the City aims to ban the use of fossil fuels in new commercial and large multi-family construction for space and most water heating in order to cut down on the significant emissions contributed by the building sector.

The Seattle Energy Code update includes the following key changes for commercial and large multifamily buildings:

• Eliminates all gas and most electric resistance space heating systems
• Eliminates gas water heating in large multifamily buildings and hotels
• Improves building exteriors to improve energy efficiency and comfort
• Creates more opportunities for solar power
• Requires electrical infrastructure necessary for future conversion of any gas appliances in multifamily buildings

The Seattle Energy Code impacts new construction and substantial alterations of commercial and 4+ story tall multi-family buildings. The code changes are recommended for approval by Seattle’s Construction Codes Advisory Board (CCAB), an advisory body tasked with reviewing changes to technical codes for construction.

The changes to the city’s energy code were approved in February 2021.