The dates
Smaller water heaters
Rule 9-6 zero-NOx standard for new residential-size water heaters. Amendments pending; date may change after the Nov 4, 2026 hearing.
Residential furnaces
Rule 9-4 zero-NOx standard for new fan-type residential central furnaces.
Larger water heaters and boilers
Rule 9-6 standard for larger units, mostly commercial and multifamily.
Source: BAAQMD building appliance rules (Rules 9-4 and 9-6). Dates are compliance dates for new appliances by size and type.
How "on burnout" works
The standards govern which new appliances can be installed after each date. In practice that means the rule reaches your home only when an old furnace or water heater fails or you choose to replace it. A gas appliance installed before the date can keep running and be repaired.
What the rules do not do
| Common claim | What the rules actually say |
|---|---|
| "You have to remove your gas furnace." | No forced removal. The standard applies to new installations. |
| "Gas stoves are banned." | Rules 9-4 and 9-6 cover furnaces, water heaters and boilers only. |
| "You can't repair a gas appliance." | Repairs to existing equipment aren't prohibited. |
| "The 2027 water heater date is final." | Not yet: amendments go to hearing November 4, 2026. |
What it means for your plans
Furnace 12+ years old
Get a heat pump quote before it fails, so you aren't choosing under pressure in winter. See furnace to heat pump.
Water heater near the end
Check the garage space and circuit now; a heat pump unit needs more room and usually 240V. See heat pump water heaters.
Separate from the air district, California's 2025 Energy Code adds duct testing and refrigerant charge verification on HVAC change-outs (CEC). Those apply now.
Rebates as of Oct 2026: MCE customers can get up to $400 per 500 sq ft for heat pump heating and cooling and up to $675 for a heat pump water heater; most other programs are closed or ended. See the dated rebate table.
Rule questions
Is there a gas furnace ban in the Bay Area?
Not on existing furnaces. BAAQMD's Rule 9-4 sets a zero-NOx standard for new residential furnaces from 2029. Working furnaces can stay in place and be repaired.
Is the gas water heater ban 2027?
Rule 9-6 currently sets 2027 for smaller water heaters, but proposed amendments go to hearing on November 4, 2026, so that date may change. Check BAAQMD's page after the hearing.
Can I still repair my gas furnace or water heater?
Yes. The standards govern new appliances sold and installed; repairs to existing equipment are not prohibited.
Do the rules apply to gas stoves or fireplaces?
No. Rules 9-4 and 9-6 cover furnaces, water heaters and boilers. Cooking and fireplaces are outside these rules.