RECO: Compliance Steps for Renovation of Property  
All homes or apartment buildings with a combined value of $50,000 or more in renovations must demonstrate compliance with RECO regulations by being inspected by and filing Form A- Certificate of RECO Compliance- with the City of Berkeley.  RECO compliance is the responsibility of the building permit applicant, which in most cases is the property owner.

See below for the following steps towards RECO compliance:

1. Check the list of RECO Requirements and Savings  

2. Read Knob and Tube Safety Information  

3. Getting RECO Work Completed

4. Schedule an Inspection 

5. RECO Spending Limits

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RECO Requirements and Savings 

Requirements: Specific details are on RECO Form A Appendix.  A general outline of required upgrades follows:

• Toilets -- 1.6 gal/flush, or flow reduction devices

• Showerheads -- 3.0 gal./minute flow rate. Available free from EBMUD

• Faucet aerators -- 2.75 gal./minute flow rate for kitchens and bathrooms. Available free from EBMUD.  

• Water heater blankets -- Insulation wrap of R-12 value

• Hot & Cold Water Piping -- Insulate the first two feet from the heater to R-3 value

• Hot Water Piping in Pumped, Re-circulating Heating Systems -- Insulate all pipes to R-3 value

• Exterior Door Weatherstripping -- Permanently affix weather stripping, and door sweeps or door shoes;

• Furnace duct work -- Seal duct joints add insulation wrap to R-3 value

• Fireplace chimneys -- Must have dampers, doors or closures

• Ceiling insulation -- Insulate to R-30 value or greater (see Knob and Tube Wiring Information for safety tips)

• Common Area Lighting (multi-unit buildings) -- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) of at least 25 lumens. CFLs will save up to 75% per year of the lighting portion of your electricity costs.  A 20-watt CFL is equivalent to a 75-watt incandescent bulb in output. Use a CFL that is 1/4 the watts of the bulb you are replacing to keep the light levels the same. 

Savings: Check the following sites for more information on residential conservation services: (these links will take you outside of the City of Berkeley server)

• EBMUD East Bay Municipal Utilities District, check website to see water conservation services.

• PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric, check website to see energy conservation services.

• CYES Program (California Youth Energy Service) a program of Rising Sun Energy Center, check website for information on both water and energy-saving measures for your home.

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Knob and Tube Safety Information
 "Knob and Tube" wiring is common in older homes. If your home has "Knob and Tube" wiring in the attic, you must:

1. Hire a licensed electrician to inspect the wiring prior to installing any attic insulation

2. Certify that the wiring is safe to insulate around by filling out Knob and Tube Wiring Safety Inspection Report 

3. Submit Knob and Tube Wiring Safety Inspection Report with your RECO Form A

4. Review Safety Measures that follow:

• Wiring that fails a safety inspection should never be insulated.  Doing so could cause a catastrophic fire, threatening the lives of those in the home.  Upgrade poor wiring, including junction boxes and splices that may overheat if surrounded with insulation.

• Never use foil-faced batts or metal supports if knob and tube wiring is present; to do so could cause arcing, short-circuiting, and/or fire.

• Existing insulation that meets the current RECO code is exempt.  However, if additional insulation is needed to bring the current level of insulation into compliance, an inspection and written certification is required.

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Getting RECO Work Completed

• You may hire a contractor

• You may do the RECO work yourself (please see RECO Compliance Guide)

• For free or low cost help installing some RECO measures, including attic insulation, contact Rising Sun Energy Center 

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Schedule an Inspection
To schedule an appointment with Berkeley's Building & Safety Office email reco@cityofberkeley.info or call 510-981-7440.  City building inspectors will incorporate the RECO inspection into the comprehensive building code compliance inspection.

Inspection Costs:

• Renovation of a Property: initial RECO inspection fee is included in the City's construction permit fees 

• Filing: $20 Send payment with Certificate of RECO Compliance (Form A - from inspector)

Mail or deliver all documents to: City of Berkeley Permit Service Center, 2120 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA  94704

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RECO Spending Limits

For properties undergoing renovations of $50,000 or more, spending limit for RECO measures is 1% of renovation costs.

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