PGE requiring separate metering but CA ADU requirements says otherwise

San Jose, California
Land & New Construction
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PGE requiring separate metering but CA ADU requirements says otherwise

Ani Chat
Member since 2022 · 6 posts · 1 vote

Hi,

I am planning to build an attached ADU.

Contacted PGE for upgrading my main panel, they are asking me to have separate main panel meters because the ADU has a separate address.. They keep pointing me to their rules at: https://www.pge.com/tariffs/assets/pdf/tariffbook/ELEC_RULES...

PGE rulebook doesn't mention anything about ADUs.

CALegislation: Section 65852.2 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.x...

"(A) For an accessory dwelling unit described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (e), a local agency, special district, or water corporation shall not require the applicant to install a new or separate utility connection directly between the accessory dwelling unit and the utility or impose a related connection fee or capacity charge, unless the accessory dwelling unit was constructed with a new single-family dwelling. home."

So, it  appear that the utility PGE is trying to force something not required by legislation. I prefer not to have multi metered main panel, for a variety of reasons (with the cost being the bigget factor), I should not be forced to have one for the attached ADU I am planning.

Would like to know if I have any recourse to this separate meter-panel requirement from PGE.

Thanks,

An

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Dan H.Pro Member
Investor · Poway, CA · Member since 2015 · 7k+ posts · 8k+ votes
3y

I agree with your interpretation.  I recommend you contact HCD about the issue.  My view is HCD will likely tell PGE that they cannot require the addition of the meter, but if PGE ignores the guidance, HCD has no bite (ie will not do anything about it in any time frame that can help you).

I want to recommend you get the ADU separately metered. It makes it much easier to get tenants to pay for their utilities (they can put the utilities in their name). In addition when it is time to sell, buyers like units to have separate meters. Your upfront costs will increase, but I suspect you will get your money's worth.

Good luck

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  • Dan H.Pro Member
    Investor · Poway, CA · Member since 2015 · 7k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    3y

    I agree with your interpretation.  I recommend you contact HCD about the issue.  My view is HCD will likely tell PGE that they cannot require the addition of the meter, but if PGE ignores the guidance, HCD has no bite (ie will not do anything about it in any time frame that can help you).

    I want to recommend you get the ADU separately metered. It makes it much easier to get tenants to pay for their utilities (they can put the utilities in their name). In addition when it is time to sell, buyers like units to have separate meters. Your upfront costs will increase, but I suspect you will get your money's worth.

    Good luck

    3Reply
  • Ani Chat
    OP
    Member since 2022 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    3y

    @Dan H. I wont mind getting the adu separately metered if it were not for the cost and the time delay involved in doing so. I could also add a non PGE meter for measuring the tenan't power line.

    0Reply
  • Dan H.Pro Member
    Investor · Poway, CA · Member since 2015 · 7k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Ani Chat:

    @Dan H. I wont mind getting the adu separately metered if it were not for the cost and the time delay involved in doing so. I could also add a non PGE meter for measuring the tenan't power line.


    I do not know the extent of time added or the exact cost. However a non PGE meter would not allow ADU tenant to have utilities in their own name. It is very nice to not have any role in tenant utilities. This means any issues and the tenant deals with PGE.

    When we purchase, we always check for each unit having meters.  We want utilities to be in tenant’s name.  We understand the risk of having the tenant’s utilities in our name and the hassle of owner billing back utilities to the tenant (we do this on quite a few units for water).  If tenant ever get evicted for non-payment, at least they do not also owe you the utilities.  At the time it takes to get an eviction in CA, the utilities can add up to a significant amount.  

    Good luck. 

    1Reply
  • Mai Tran
    Member since 2024 · 1 post · 0 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Ani Chat:

    @Dan H. I wont mind getting the adu separately metered if it were not for the cost and the time delay involved in doing so. I could also add a non PGE meter for measuring the tenan't power line.

    Hi Ani, 

    Same issue, same thoughts here. Did you get the final answer and resolution?

    We have been waiting for PG&E for over 6 months, to add a second meter. Still not going anywhere yet, not even an estimated number. They have to run 2 new wires (100 amp each) underground but still carry the same load as the existing one (200 amp). So it's not an upgrade, not worth the cost and the time delay. 

    Can we have a final inspection with a submeter or the ADU and deal with PG&E later if needed? Thanks



    0Reply
  • Arvind Ganesh
    Homeowner · East Bay, CA · Member since 2024 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    2y

    Chiming in with the same issue. I don't really want a separate meter for the ADU, especially since we will have solar/battery installed on the main home and would want the benefit of that for the ADU. The ADU is meant for a parent at the present, but it may be rented out in the future. When we do rent it out, we plan to add a flat fee for the included electric. This would be much simpler for everyone.

    I am open to suggestions on how to get PG&E to waive their requirement of a separate meter for the ADU.

    0Reply
  • Alex Chestnut
    Member since 2024 · 1 post · 0 votes
    2y

    Just came across this issue as well. Had heard from someone at PG&E that a separate meter would be required due to a separate address, however our city in the East Bay said they had not heard of this and were adamant that PG&E could not require it or would even be involved in the ADU beyond the main panel upgrade and solar installation.

    The state law referenced in the original post, AB 68 by Phil Ting, makes it very clear that a utility cannot require a separate meter, unless the ADU is being built with a new single-family home, or the ADU is to be located more than 150 feet from the primary house. This is codified in state law and the HCD handbook. Any utility, let alone PG&E, cannot override this. I would reach out to your state representative and let them know that PG&E is attempting to overrule state law. Should put an end to it real quick. That being said, I believe a CITY is allowed to require a separate meter be installed, as I have read for the City of Oakland (link below).

    It appears that the Southern California utility is requiring separate meters for all ADUs (link below) though again I don't see how that is legal. The City of San Jose has on their website that new addresses are required but separate meters are optional (link below).

    https://snapadu.com/blog/electric-panels-upgrades-power-sources-adu/

    https://cao-94612.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/City-of-Oakland.PGE-Joint-Information-Bulletin-METERS-FINAL.pdf

    https://www.sanjoseca.gov/business/development-services-permit-center/accessory-dwelling-units-adus/adu-faqs

    0Reply
  • Robert Rocha
    Member since 2024 · 1 post · 0 votes
    2y

    Bluetti AC500 with B300s batteries are perfect for your offgrid ADU applications.You just need a few solar panels on the roof to charge you AC500 or for larger units the EP800 will work. No utility hook up required. Contact me directly for dealer pricing

    0Reply
  • Kelly Reynolds
    New to Real Estate · CA · Member since 2019 · 32 posts · 15 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Ani Chat:

    Hi,

    I am planning to build an attached ADU.

    Contacted PGE for upgrading my main panel, they are asking me to have separate main panel meters because the ADU has a separate address.. They keep pointing me to their rules at: https://www.pge.com/tariffs/assets/pdf/tariffbook/ELEC_RULES...

    PGE rulebook doesn't mention anything about ADUs.

    CALegislation: Section 65852.2 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.x...

    "(A) For an accessory dwelling unit described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (e), a local agency, special district, or water corporation shall not require the applicant to install a new or separate utility connection directly between the accessory dwelling unit and the utility or impose a related connection fee or capacity charge, unless the accessory dwelling unit was constructed with a new single-family dwelling. home."

    So, it  appear that the utility PGE is trying to force something not required by legislation. I prefer not to have multi metered main panel, for a variety of reasons (with the cost being the bigget factor), I should not be forced to have one for the attached ADU I am planning.

    Would like to know if I have any recourse to this separate meter-panel requirement from PGE.

    Thanks,

    An

    @Ani Chat from my reading this exception to separate meters it is only for attached units that are either entirely within an existing building footprint or don’t extend beyond the dimensions listed in the state legislation.  Just making sure I am reading it correctly? So detached units could very much require a separate meter? Just curious how your project ended up resolving this issue?  Thanks!

    1Reply
    • Account Closed
      Member since 2025 · 1 post · 0 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Kelly Reynolds:
      Quote from @Ani Chat:

      Hi,

      I am planning to build an attached ADU.

      Contacted PGE for upgrading my main panel, they are asking me to have separate main panel meters because the ADU has a separate address.. They keep pointing me to their rules at: https://www.pge.com/tariffs/assets/pdf/tariffbook/ELEC_RULES...

      PGE rulebook doesn't mention anything about ADUs.

      CALegislation: Section 65852.2 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.x...

      "(A) For an accessory dwelling unit described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (e), a local agency, special district, or water corporation shall not require the applicant to install a new or separate utility connection directly between the accessory dwelling unit and the utility or impose a related connection fee or capacity charge, unless the accessory dwelling unit was constructed with a new single-family dwelling. home."

      So, it  appear that the utility PGE is trying to force something not required by legislation. I prefer not to have multi metered main panel, for a variety of reasons (with the cost being the bigget factor), I should not be forced to have one for the attached ADU I am planning.

      Would like to know if I have any recourse to this separate meter-panel requirement from PGE.

      Thanks,

      An

      @Ani Chat from my reading this exception to separate meters it is only for attached units that are either entirely within an existing building footprint or don’t extend beyond the dimensions listed in the state legislation.  Just making sure I am reading it correctly? So detached units could very much require a separate meter? Just curious how your project ended up resolving this issue?  Thanks!


      I know this is old, but I wanted to chime in and note that this is the correct information. If the ADU is detached (not part of the original structure) utilities have every right to impose new connection fees and establish an additional billing account. As soon as the ADU is assigned a new address, it will be treated as a new account by most utilities.

      This is stated in the same legislation that is linked in the original post:
      (B) For an accessory dwelling unit that is not described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (e), a local agency, special district, or water corporation may require a new or separate utility connection directly between the accessory dwelling unit and the utility. Consistent with Section 66013, the connection may be subject to a connection fee or capacity charge that shall be proportionate to the burden of the proposed accessory dwelling unit, based upon either its size or the number of its plumbing fixtures, upon the water or sewer system. This fee or charge shall not exceed the reasonable cost of providing this service.

      0Reply
  • Namit Raisurana
    Investor · San Carlos, CA · Member since 2017 · 37 posts · 17 votes
    2y

    I am in the same boat. Building a detached 450 sqft ADU where the main house has a 150 amp panel and Solar and its in the city of Menlo Park. City referred to me some rule called Green Code rule from PGE but cannot find any info on it online. Feels like I am being pushed from one desk to another and not getting a clear answer

    What did you all end up doing?

    0Reply
  • Frank Cheung
    Member since 2024 · 1 post · 1 vote
    2y

    I'm running into this same issue. Was anyone able to successfully push back on PG&E about this? If so can you share how you were able to do so?

    1Reply
    • K Mani
      Member since 2026 · 1 post · 0 votes
      7mo
      Quote from @Frank Cheung:

      I'm running into this same issue. Was anyone able to successfully push back on PG&E about this? If so can you share how you were able to do so?


       Any luck with having this resolved? I'm about to dive into the same issue with PGE.

      0Reply
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