Going heat pump in Berkeley? Here is what BESO asks for

Selling soon, or just told about BESO? The criteria sit in City of Berkeley PDFs. We put them in plain words, beside a Berkeley mini split we worked on.

Ask for a quote

Or call us:

Bay Area(408) 304-4329San Jose, Fremont, Oakland Central Coast(805) 769-8494Salinas, Monterey, SLO County, Santa Barbara

Main number (408) 603-8784

City permit rule

City of Berkeley Building and Safety

What Berkeley requires

In Berkeley, anyone who installs, alters, repairs or replaces a gas or mechanical system must apply for and get a permit first.

For BESO credit, the electric heat pump HVAC system has to provide heating to all conditioned areas of the building or unit. Cooling is optional.
The proof Berkeley looks for is the permit with an approved final inspection.

Checked November 2026City of Berkeley Building and Safety, Form 140 (last revised 01/23/26)

Checked November 2026City of Berkeley Office of Energy and Sustainable Development (updated 9/8/2026)

Checked against Berkeley's BESO and permit documents, November 2026.

Berkeley

What it means for your house

Bay Area(408) 304-4329

Mon to Fri, 8 AM to 5 PM

CSLB license 1162030, class C20, active.

Air Champs

A ductless head in the living room alone may not heat every conditioned room, so plan the whole house. And skip the permit, and there is no final inspection to show for BESO.
Bay Area Air District

Berkeley is part of the Bay Area Air District, which covers Alameda County.

Bay Area Air District, Building Appliances Rule Implementation Checked November 2026
California Energy Commission

Berkeley permits applied for on or after January 1, 2026, fall under the 2025 Energy Code.

California Energy Commission Checked November 2026