Natural Gas Ban in the Bay Area – What Homeowners Need to Know
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) has enacted new rules (Rules 9-4 & 9-6) that will phase out natural gas appliances across nine Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma.
Key Deadlines
• January 1, 2026 – Home sellers must disclose the gas appliance ban and inform buyers of the electrical upgrades needed for electric appliances.
• January 1, 2027 – Gas water heaters can no longer be replaced with new gas models.
• January 1, 2029 – Gas furnaces can no longer be replaced with new gas models.
What’s Next?
BAAQMD’s long-term plan is to ban all natural gas appliances, including stoves, ovens, fireplaces, and clothes dryers, and eventually remove gas lines from homes entirely.
Why This Matters
Switching to electric appliances often requires major upgrades:
• Electrical panel upgrades
• Rewiring and new outlets
• Underground utility work
• Depending on your home’s age and electrical system, costs can range from tens of thousands to well over $100,000. Homes built before the 1980's or with underground power lines may face the highest expenses.
• These changes could mean long delays—weeks or even months—before you have hot water or heat if a gas appliance fails and your home is not yet upgraded.
How to Get Informed and Involved
A local grassroots effort is underway to urge BAAQMD to reverse these rules. You can learn more about the impacts and sign the petition here:
TooCostlyBayArea.com
To check out the most recent Santa Clara County stats click on the links below.
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