SB 222: Residential heat pump water heater or heat pump HVAC systems.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

(1)Existing law establishes the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission and prescribes the authorities, duties, and responsibilities of the commission pertaining to energy matters. Existing law requires the commission, on or before January 1, 2019, in consultation with the Contractors State License Board, local building officials, and other stakeholders, to approve a plan that promotes compliance with specified regulations relating to building energy efficiency standards in the installation of central air-conditioning and heat pumps, as specified. Existing law authorizes the commission to adopt regulations to increase compliance with permitting and inspection requirements for central air-conditioning and heat pumps, and associated sales and installations, consistent with the above-described plan.

This bill would establish various requirements and authorizations for the installation of a residential heat pump water heater or heat pump HVAC system, as defined, by, among other things, requiring a city, county, or city and county, beginning July 1, 2027, to adopt and offer asynchronous inspections for installations that do not require a licensed contractor and building inspector to be simultaneously present during the inspection. The bill would additionally require a city, county, or city and county, except as specified, to post specific information online, and on or before July 1, 2028, to implement an online automated permitting process for the installation of a residential heat pump water heater or heat pump HVAC system that issues permits in real time to a licensed contractor that meets certain criteria. The bill would require the criteria to include, among others, that the licensed contractor certify under penalty of perjury that they have performed a load calculation to properly size the new equipment, as specified. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. By imposing these various new duties on the described local entities, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The bill would authorize a city, county, or city and county, except as specified, to require up to one nondiscretionary permit per installation of a residential heat pump water heater or heat pump HVAC system in which the local entity administratively approves an application to install the residential heat pump water heater or heat pump HVAC system.

The bill would additionally authorize a city, county, or city and county to apply only certain planning or zoning or workforce labor standards on the installation of a residential heat pump water heater or heat pump HVAC system that are in addition to any state-level requirements. The bill would prohibit a local entity described above from requiring a permit or inspection for plug-in ready window air-conditioner or window heat pump HVAC systems, provided that certain requirements are met, including that the appliance has a voltage rating of 120 volts or less and the appliance is a self-contained unit. The bill would limit the amount a city, county, or city and county may charge as a permit fee for a residential heat pump water heater or heat pump HVAC system, as specified.

The bill would require a local entity described above that applies to receive any funding from the commission to self-certify to the commission its compliance with any applicable portions of the bill’s provisions.

The above provisions would not apply to new residential construction.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 28, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 738, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 28, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 738, Statutes of 2026.
3. September 28, 2026Approved by the Governor.
4. September 28, 2026Approved by the Governor.
5. August 30, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 6 p.m.
6. August 30, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 6 p.m.
7. August 25, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 32. Noes 5. Page 5739.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
8. August 25, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 32. Noes 5.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
9. August 24, 2026In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
10. August 24, 2026In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
11. August 24, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 60. Noes 8. Page 6385.) Ordered to the Senate.
12. August 24, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 60. Noes 8. Page 6385.) Ordered to the Senate.