Yes. California requires all new residential garage door openers sold or installed in the state to include a battery backup system. This rule has been in effect since July 1, 2019, under Senate Bill 969 (SB 969). The law was passed after the 2017 Northern California wildfires, when several residents were unable to open their garage doors during a power outage and lost their lives. At The Garage Door Superstore, we supply fully compliant openers for garage doors in Hayward, CA, and throughout the Bay Area, so our customers are always covered.
How Does a Garage Door Battery Backup Actually Work?
- Normal operation – The opener runs on standard household electricity. The battery stays connected and trickle-charges automatically whenever the home has power.
- Power outage – The battery activates on its own. No switches to flip, no manual steps needed.
- During the outage – Your remote, wall keypad, and smartphone app (if your opener supports it) all continue to work as normal.
- Power restores – The battery begins recharging automatically. A full charge takes about four and a half hours.
At The Garage Door Superstore, we stock LiftMaster openers and genuine replacement batteries at our garage door store in Hayward, CA. Our team can confirm which battery backup models work with your specific door setup. Reach out to us today.
How Many Times Can You Open the Door on One Charge?
The answer depends on the brand and model, but the numbers are fairly consistent across the major manufacturers.
| Brand | Cycles per Charge | Battery Life (Normal Use) |
| LiftMaster | Up to 20–50 cycles (model-dependent) | 1–2 years |
| Chamberlain | Up to 20 cycles | 1–2 years |
| Genie | Up to 20 cycles | 1–2 years |
How Long Does the Battery Last Before It Needs Replacing?
With normal usage, a Chamberlain or LiftMaster backup battery will last approximately 1 to 2 years. Some users report getting closer to 3 years with light usage and proper care.
Signs the battery needs replacing:
- The opener beeps every 30 seconds or shows a flashing LED warning
- The door moves noticeably slower than usual during an outage
- The wall panel displays a “Battery” or “Replace Battery” warning
- The unit is over 2 years old and has never had the battery swapped
Replacement batteries for major brands are available at any garage door parts store. Bring your opener’s model number so you get the right fit.
What Are the Penalties for Non-Compliance?
Under SB 969, violations are subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 per non-compliant opener, applied to manufacturers, retailers, and installers who sell or install openers that do not meet the requirements.
Openers that do not meet the law are labeled non-compliant on the packaging and cannot legally be sold or installed in California after July 1, 2019.
What Should I Do if My Opener Is Not Compliant?
If your opener is grandfathered but aging, it is worth planning ahead rather than waiting for it to fail. There is no legal obligation to replace a pre-2019 opener proactively, the requirement only kicks in when you install a new door or replace the opener itself. When that time comes, you will need a compliant model anyway.
- Check the manufacture date: anything before mid-2019 likely lacks battery backup.
- Test the manual release cord so you know how to use it in an outage.
- Ask a garage door supply store which compliant openers fit your door.
- Budget for the opener and installation if your door is also aging.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I repair my pre-2019 opener and add a battery backup to it later?
Some older openers support add-on battery backup kits. Availability varies by model. If yours is not compatible, you will need a new opener with a built-in backup when replacing.
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Do battery backup requirements apply to manually operated garage doors?
No. SB 969 only applies to automatic garage door openers. A manually operated door with no motorized opener is not affected.
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What happens to my smart home features during a power outage on a battery backup opener?
Basic functions like opening, closing, and remote access still work. Smart home features tied to Wi-Fi will not work if your router is also down.
Ready to Upgrade to a Compliant Opener?
The Garage Door Superstore is a locally owned garage door supply store in Hayward, CA. We carry LiftMaster battery backup openers, replacement batteries, and the full range of garage door supplies for homeowners and pros. Call us at (510) 331-7720, or email thegdsuperstore@gmail.com to get started..
