Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Carolyn Bloede, Director, Sustainability Department
Subject: Agreement with TRC Engineers Inc. for a Heat Pump Water Heater Permitting Simplification Pilot
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with TRC Engineers Inc., to provide a heat pump water heater permitting simplification pilot for the County and participating cities, for the term of March 11, 2025 to December 31, 2027, for an amount not to exceed $392,690.
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BACKGROUND:
In 2021, the Sustainability Department produced a report: “Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) Permit Requirements and Costs in San Mateo County” which found a variety of building permit processes across San Mateo County that make the customer experience more complicated when attempting to get an electric HPWH installed into a single-family home in a quick, safe, and hassle-free way.
In 2022, this Board adopted the Community Climate Action Plan to outline a path forward to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated in unincorporated San Mateo County and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 (Resolution No. 079264). To support the emissions reductions needed, the Sustainability Department developed a Building Decarbonization Strategy for San Mateo County. One of the initiatives in the strategy is facilitating a more seamless transition to electric technologies by simplifying the permitting process.
On December 12, 2023, the Board adopted Resolution No. 080098 authorizing an agreement with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) for the County to implement the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) portfolio of energy-saving programs in San Mateo County for 2024 through 2027. On February 25, 2025, the Board adopted Resolution No. 080957 authorizing an amendment to the ABAG agreement to add $330,000 to fund a HPWH permitting simplification pilot.
DISCUSSION:
The objective of this pilot is to support San Mateo County jurisdictions in making the HPWH permitting process more user-friendly, efficient, and aligned with the latest industry standards and best practices without overburdening planning and building departments.
The pilot includes the following:
1. Perform research and a comparative analysis of the existing HPWH permitting requirements and customer experiences for all 21 jurisdictions in San Mateo County (20 cities plus unincorporated County).
2. Develop a recommendation to simplify HPWH permitting approaches for San Mateo County jurisdictions and a strategy for piloting the new HPWH permitting approaches in at least seven jurisdictions in San Mateo County.
3. Provide technical and implementation support to at least seven jurisdictions to pilot the new HPWH permitting approach in collaboration with the Sustainability Department.
The Sustainability Department released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on September 6, 2024, for a consultant to conduct research and implement the HPWH permitting simplification pilot. Proposals were solicited from firms with experience researching and developing permitting solutions for emerging electric appliance technology. The RFP was posted on OpenGov for five weeks. Two bids were received on October 14, 2024. None of the responses were disqualified and both firms were eligible for consideration. Following the RFP evaluation process, the selection committee determined that the firm TRC Engineers Inc. was best qualified to complete this project. The Request for Proposal Process Matrix is attached.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.
EQUITY IMPACT:
This pilot aims to make permitting for HPWH more accessible for building owners and contractors across San Mateo County by simplifying the permitting experience at the building counter and exploring opportunities to have more consistent fees between jurisdictions. The pilot is not expected to increase the financial burden on applicants. All jurisdictions in San Mateo County were invited to participate in this pilot.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost for this contract is $392,690. ABAG provided $330,000 for this contract. These funds will be included in the Sustainability Department’s FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and will be included in future budgets. The remaining $62,690 will be covered by the County’s original contract with ABAG for 2024 through 2027 and is included in the FY 2024-2025 Adopted Budget. There is no new Net County Cost for this agreement.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Request for Proposal Process Matrix
2. Agreement with TRC Engineers Inc.