Green Building Requirements

The goal of the City's Green Building Program is to promote polices and practices that encourage building green.  A green building is sited, designed, constructed and operated to enhance the well being of its occupants, and to minimize the negative impacts on the community and the natural environment. Green buildings provide healthy, comfortable building interiors, maximize savings through the efficient use of energy and water and limit construction impacts on the natural environment.

What are the green building requirements?

All Projects:

• Reduction of Stormwater Pollution: Construction activities are the largest source of stormwater pollution in the San Francisco Bay. All construction projects must manage both the site and materials. Creating or replacing impervious surfaces may also require onsite stormwater treatment. See: Alameda County CleanWater Program website. 
  
  
• Protecting Health of Creeks and Adjacent Property: Requirements and restrictions for a project vary depending on project scope and distance from the creek. The City has developed a Creeks Map that depicts open and culverted creeks. See: Creeks Ordinance website.

New and Renovated Irrigated Landscape:  All new and renovated irrigated landscape of over 2,500 square feet area must comply with the following regulations in order to reduce waste in both new and established landscapes. For more informations, see: IIID. Green Building Requirements

• California Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO): To review WELO requirements, see: WELO
  
  
• East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Section 31 Water Efficiency Regulations: All applicants for new and expanded service are required to comply, see: EBMUD Water Efficiency Checklist 
  
  
• Bay Friendly Basics Landscape Requirements: The Bay-Friendly Basics represents the 9 required practices from the Bay-Friendly Landscape Scorecard. For electronic copies of this checklist, and other Bay-Friendly Landscaping resources, see: Bay Friendly Checklist
 

Large Projects:

• Green Building Checklist: Required for large commercial (10,000 square feet or greater) and new dwelling units with one or more dwelling unit. Complete the appropriate Green Building Checklist (GreenPoint Rated or LEED) rating for your project. A copy of the Green Building Checklist must be included with your Use Permit application. For more information see the Green Building Resources webpage or the IIID. Green Building Requirements.
  
  
• Energy Conservation Analysis: Required for large commercial (10,000 square feet or greater) projects and recommended for multifamily and mixed-use projects with 3 or more units. The Energy Conservation Analysis is available at no cost from PG&E's Savings By Design program. See: IIID. Green Building Requirements.
  

Projects with Renovations Valued at $50,000 or more:

• RECO (Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance) Compliance: RECO requires residential property owners to increase the energy and water efficiency in their buildings when $50,000 worth of renovations are made. Compliance with RECO measures saves money, increases the comfort and reduces the amount of greenhouse emissions in every home. For more information, please see RECO (Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance). 
  

• CECO (Commercial Energy Conservation Ordinance) Compliance: CECO requires commercial All commercial properties undergoing renovations of more than $50,000 or additions which will increase the conditioned area of your commercial property by more than 10% must demonstrate compliance with CECO requirements. See:CECO (Commercial Energy Conservation Ordinance). 
  
  
• Protecting Local Waterways from Leaks in Sewer Laterals: Remodeling projects that cost more than $100,000 OR cost more than $50,000 and involve replacing or relocating two or more plumbing fixtures must comply with this ordinance to reduce the amount of water flowing into city sewer systems and protect water quality of our creeks and watersheds. For more information, see: Sewer lateral replacement (two or more plumbing fixtures affected)
  

Projects with Renovations Valued at $100,000 or more:

• Construction and Waste Demolition Diversion Plan:  New construction or renovation projects valued at $100,000 or more, and demolition projects valued at $3,000 or more, are required to divert 100% of asphalt and concrete and 50% of all other construction waste generated. Register your project online using Green Halo Systems and complete the Waste Diversion Form. Make sure to enter the Green Halo project tracking number on the Waste Diversion Form. The Waste Diversion Plan must be included with your a Building Permit application.  For more information please see Waste Plan for Construction and Demolition.
  
  
• Protecting Local Waterways from Leaks in Sewer Laterals: Remodeling projects that cost more than $100,000 OR cost more than $50,000 and involve replacing or relocating two or more plumbing fixtures must comply with this ordinance to reduce the amount of water flowing into city sewer systems and protect water quality of our creeks and watersheds. For more information, see: Sewer lateral replacement
  

Transfer of Property Ownership:

• RECO (Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance) Compliance: RECO requires residential property owners to increase the energy and water efficiency in their buildings upon transfer of property ownership. Compliance with RECO measures saves money, increases the comfort and reduces the amount of greenhouse emissions in every home. For more information, please see RECO (Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance).
  

• CECO (Commercial Energy Conservation Ordinance) Compliance: All commercial properties sold or transferred must demonstrate compliance with CECO requirements. See: CECO (Commercial Energy Conservation Ordinance).
  
  
• Protecting Local Waterways from Leaks in Sewer Laterals:  Upon transfer of property ownership and involve replacing or relocating two or more plumbing fixtures must comply with this ordinance to reduce the amount of water flowing into city sewer systems and protect water quality of our creeks and watersheds. For more information, see: Sewer lateral replacement (even if no fixtures affected)

Back to top

Link to Green Remodeling Permit Guide
Link to Green Building Resources
Link to Office of Energy and Sustainable Development