LA County’s New Building Electrification Rules Are Changing How Roof Replacements Work in 2024

If you’re planning a roof replacement in Los Angeles County, you need to know about significant changes that could affect your project’s scope and budget. The Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance on December 7th requiring that all new buildings within the city limits be constructed as ‘all-electric.’ The requirement applies to all new buildings approved after April 1 and affordable housing projects approved after June 1, 2023. While this ordinance primarily targets new construction, it’s part of a broader electrification movement that’s creating ripple effects for major renovation projects, including roof replacements.

Understanding the Electrification Landscape

Under the new ordinance, all new buildings are prohibited to have combustion equipment, gas piping, or fuel gas for cooking appliances, drying clothes, and space and water heating. Under the new ordinance, all new buildings are prohibited to have combustion equipment, gas piping, or fuel gas for cooking appliances, drying clothes, and space and water heating. California’s 2025 Energy Code encourages use of heat pumps for space heating and cooling in select new buildings. For alterations only: the 2025 code replaces certain end-of-life rooftop HVACs with high-efficiency systems, including heat pumps, on stores, schools, offices, and libraries.

This shift toward electrification means that when homeowners undertake major renovations, they often need to consider upgrading their electrical infrastructure to support new electric appliances and systems. The 2024 codes influence which heat pump models make sense, when an electrical panel might be a concern, how your outdoor unit can be placed, and how long your project may take.

How Roof Replacement Projects Are Affected

When you’re planning a Roof Replacement LA County, CA, several factors now come into play that weren’t as critical just a few years ago. For residential roof replacement > 50% of the total roof area, apply Cool Roof Product labeled and certified by Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC). For residential roof replacement > 50% of the total roof area, apply Cool Roof Product labeled and certified by Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC).

More importantly, many homeowners are discovering that their roof replacement project is the perfect opportunity to prepare their homes for future electrification. This might include:

• Installing additional electrical conduits during roof work
• Upgrading electrical panels to handle increased electrical loads
• Preparing infrastructure for heat pump installations
• Adding electrical capacity for future EV charging stations

Electrical Panel Upgrade Requirements

In most Southern California cities and counties, including Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, and San Diego—as well as areas in Arizona—a permit is required if: You are replacing or upgrading an existing electrical panel · You are increasing amperage (e.g., going from 100 to 200 amps). Whether it’s a residential panel in a single-family home or a 400-amp upgrade in a commercial warehouse, a permit to upgrade an electrical panel ensures the work is done safely and up to code.

Express Permits are available for residential projects that do not require plan review or approvals. For example: water heater replacement, air conditioning or heating unit replacement, drain repair, lighting, electrical panel replacement, etc. For example: water heater replacement, air conditioning or heating unit replacement, drain repair, lighting, electrical panel replacement, etc.

The key consideration is that a service panel upgrade may be needed before the charging station is installed. Contact a licensed electrician or the car dealership to inquire about service assessments. This applies not just to EV chargers, but to any major electrical appliance upgrades, including heat pumps.

Heat Pump Installation Considerations

Centrally heated and cooled spaces will likely be replaced by heat pumps which work by transferring heat in or out of a space. We look at the specifics of your home, including panel size, breaker count, and what else is already connected, before we suggest any changes. When a panel upgrade or subpanel is advisable, it is better to identify that early in planning so pricing and scheduling can reflect the true scope of work instead of adding it as a surprise after a permit review.

For homeowners planning roof replacements, this means considering whether your current electrical system can handle a future heat pump installation. Many older homes have 100-amp electrical panels that may need upgrading to 200-amp service to accommodate modern electrical demands.

Working with Experienced Contractors

When navigating these complex requirements, working with an experienced roofing contractor becomes even more critical. Royal Roofing specializes in roof repairs, maintenance, restoration, re-roofing, and more, serving commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties with solutions that are built to last. By treating every client like family and consistently delivering superior quality and service, they strive to become your local roofing contractor for life.

Steve Pinkus, President and CEO of Royal Roofing since 1995, brings nearly four decades of hands-on experience to our company. With more than $75 million in roofing, restoration, and repair sales, he leads with a deep commitment to quality construction and total customer satisfaction. This level of experience is invaluable when coordinating complex projects that involve both roofing and electrical work.

Located at 6831 Suva St, Bell Gardens, CA 90201, Royal Roofing Company is easily accessible for all your roofing needs. Royal Roofing Company has been a trusted provider of roofing services since 1982, serving all of Southern California.

Planning Your Project

The key to a successful roof replacement project in today’s regulatory environment is comprehensive planning. That early coordination, informed by current code expectations, helps keep your project on a realistic timeline and reduces the risk of a permit reviewer or inspector halting progress over an overlooked electrical issue.

Consider these steps when planning your roof replacement:

• Assess your current electrical capacity
• Determine if you’ll need electrical panel upgrades
• Plan for future electrification needs
• Coordinate with licensed electricians early in the process
• Ensure all permits are properly obtained

The Bottom Line

LA County’s push toward building electrification is reshaping how we approach major home renovations, including roof replacements. While the current ordinances primarily affect new construction, the broader trend toward electrification means that smart homeowners are using their roof replacement projects as an opportunity to future-proof their homes.

After decades in business, Royal Roofing’s values haven’t changed. We still—and always will—believe in doing the job right and standing behind our work. This commitment to quality and long-term thinking aligns perfectly with the current need for comprehensive planning that considers both immediate roofing needs and future electrification requirements.

Whether you’re dealing with a simple roof repair or planning a complete replacement, understanding these new requirements and working with experienced professionals will ensure your project meets current codes while preparing your home for the electric future that’s rapidly approaching in Los Angeles County.