CALGreen Code

Scope


 

The 2016 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) became effective throughout California on January 1, 2017.  The purpose of CALGreen is to improve public health, safety and general welfare by enhancing the design and construction of buildings.  CALGreen’s goal is to achieve this through the use of building concepts having a reduced negative impact or positive environmental impact and encouraging sustainable construction practices in the following five categories:

  • Planning & Design -Examples; storm water prevention, bicycle parking, parking for fuel efficient vehicles, light pollution.
  • Energy Efficiency – For the purposes of mandatory energy efficiency standards in CALGreen, the California Energy Commission will continue to adopt mandatory standards published in the California Energy Code. 
  • Water Efficiency and Conservation - Examples; water conserving fixtures, irrigation controllers, water reuse.
  • Material Conservation and Resource Recovery - Examples; moisture control, construction waste reduction, recycling by occupants, building commissioning, HVAC balancing.
  • Environmental Quality - Examples; indoor air quality during construction, finish material pollutant control such as low VOC, resilient flooring, acoustical control.

The California Green Building Standards Code applies to every newly constructed building or structure.  Thresholds for when compliance is required for residential and non-residential building alterations, additions, and for Tier 1 are as follows:

Residential Mandatory Measures - Healdsburg has amended the residential provisions of the 2016 CALGreen so that it also applies to additions and alterations where the addition or alteration increases the building’s conditioned area, volume or size or residential buildings of any size where it is determined by the Building Official that the alteration constitutes a substantial remodel. 

Residential Tier 1 Measures - Healdsburg has amended the residential provisions of the 2016 CALGreen Appendix Chapter A-4 Tier 1, to apply to all newly constructed; low-rise residential building over 3,000 square feet in conditioned floor area, and any high-rise residential building.  The 3,000 square feet in conditioned floor area measurement is the cumulative amount and includes detached accessory structures, and combines the floor areas of detached single family residential dwellings in subdivision development construction projects or condominium construction projects that apply for building permits after January 1, 2017.   The Tier 1 provisions do not apply to common wall duplex or common wall multi-family residential buildings.  Substantially remodeled buildings will be considered newly constructed as determined by the Building Official, and must comply with Tier 1 if the residential building is over 3,000 square feet in conditioned floor area.

Non-Residential Mandatory Measures - Healdsburg has amended the non-residential provisions of the 2016 CALGreen so that it also applies to additions 1,000 sqft or greater, and/or alteration with a permit value of $200,000 or more or conversion of 1,000 square feet or more of non-residential unconditioned space into occupiable space and/or conditioned space. 

Non-Residential Tier 1 Measures - Healdsburg has amended the non-residential provisions of the 2016 CALGreen Appendix Chapter A-5 Tier 1, to apply to all newly constructed non-residential buildings over 10,000 square feet in area.  Substantially remodeled buildings shall be considered newly constructed as determined by the Building Official, and must comply with Tier 1 if the non-residential building is over 10,000 square feet in area.  When Appendix Chapter A-5 Tier 1 is applied to the shell building of a phased project, each initial tenant improvement must also comply with Tier 1 regardless of the size tenant improvement area (but only applicable to the initial tenant improvement to a project). The 10,000 square feet in area measurement is the cumulative amount of all buildings on a parcel and/or projects consisting of commercial condominiums.
 

Submittal Documents


The CALGreen residential and non-residential mandatory measures must be incorporated into building plan sets and the checklists shall be listed on 1 or more plan sheet(s). Additionally, 2 copies of the CALGreen checklists are to be provided on 8 ½” X 11” size paper.

The CALGreen “Residential Occupancies Application Checklist” is available HERE.
 

Plan Review & Inspections


City staff will plan check and inspect projects for CALGreen compliance. If applicable, commissioning by a third party hired by the applicant will be required to verify that all building systems (heating, cooling, lighting, etc.) are functioning at their maximum efficiency. Third party inspectors are considered Special Inspectors and must be approved by the Building Official.

         Click here for a list of approved Green Building Inspectors.


         For further information, contact Steve Buffenbarger, Building Official, at 707-431-3346 or               Visit the CALGreen website HERE.