California State Bill 969 – Battery Back-up FAQ

A: The State of California recently passed new legislation (SB 969) requiring all new residential garage door openers sold in the state to include battery back-up functionality; the new legislation also requires that any new garage door sold in the state cannot be attached to a non-battery-backup garage door opener.

A: SB 969 was enacted in response to the historic 2017 wildfires in Northern California where several individuals lost their lives because they had lost electrical service during the fire and were unable to open their garage door.

A: The legislation becomes effective July 1, 2019.

Our sales partners will not be able to sell garage door openers directly to retail customers in California unless those garage door openers include battery back-up functionality.

A: Nortek Security & Control (NSC) is doing two things internally. First, we have placed a label on all non-battery backup garage door units noting that they may not be resold in the state of California, nor may they be sold for ultimate installation in California. Second, NSC is implementing a hold in its order processing system that will prevent the direct sale of any NSC garage door opener lacking the battery backup function to a California address.

A: For each residential garage door unit installed in California that does not have battery back-up, there is a fine equal to $1,000. Similarly, for each new garage door that is installed without a battery back-up garage door opener, there is also a fine equal to $1,000

A: No.

A: Yes.

A: Yes.

Q: Which garage door operator models include the battery backup feature or are battery backup capable?