Does Your Garage Door Motor Have a Battery Backup?

HAYWARD — On July 1, 2019, California Senate Bill 969 went into effect, which requires all garage door motors sold or installed in the state to be equipped with a battery backup. A battery backup ensures that the garage door motor will still function in the event of a power outage. Without a battery backup, if the power went out and you needed to get your car out of your garage, the door wouldn’t open. For this reason, in an emergency situation like a fire or earthquake, a battery backup could mean the difference between life and death.

SB 969 doesn’t just apply to new motor installations—it also pertains to garage door replacement. So, even if you only plan to replace your garage door, if your door motor doesn’t have a battery backup, you’ll be required to replace or upgrade it as well. While some garage door motors are capable of having a battery backup integrated retroactively, this isn’t an option with most older models. So, when planning to replace your garage door, make sure you’re aware of this important compliance requirement.