Welcome message from Peter Pirnejad, Development Services Director
Welcome to the Green Building Compliance Page
Palo Alto is committed to green building and energy efficiency for new construction and renovation projects. This page contains the compliance requirements for residential and non-residential projects.The page is outlined in both on-demand video and written format. Please view the welcome message for a brief overview of the page.
For additional Development Services news, click here.
COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
RESIDENTIAL COMPLIANCE See Below
NON-RESIDENTIAL COMPLIANCE Scroll Down
SINGLE FAMILY AND MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL COMPLIANCE
Single-family and multi-family projects shall follow the process presented below. This page identifies the new requirements effective for projects submitting for permit on or after 6/22/15. Visit the Green Building In Palo Alto page to view the ordinances.
The following video trainings contain a summary of the content found within the Residential Compliance section of this page. For "Full Screen" viewing, click the individual video header to open in a new window within YouTube. Once in YouTube, click the "Full Screen" button at the bottom right hand corner of the viewer. If you have trouble viewing the video, please visit the YouTube help webpage.
INTRODUCTION Residential Green Building (Effective 6/22/15)
PROJECT SUBMITTALS Residential Green Building (Effective 6/22/15)
INTRODUCTION Residential Energy Reach Code (Effective 9/10/15)
PROJECT SUBMITTALS Residential Energy Reach Code (Effective 9/10/15)
ENERGY SIMULATION TRAINING (For Energy Modelers) Residential Energy Reach Code (Effective 9/10/15)
PLANNING PHASE (Applies only to projects subject to Planning Review)
2. Select a Green Building Special Inspector (Projects subject to Tier 1 or Tier 2 only): All residential projects subject to CALGreen Tier 1 or Tier 2 MUST hire a Green Building Special Inspector from the Development Services list of pre-approved Residential Green Building Special Inspectors prior to submitting for plan check. The Green Building Special Inspector MUST review and sign the CALGreen checklist prior to submitting for plan check. The Green Building Special Inspector will review the project's contract documents in accordance with the Residential Green Building Standard Conditions. The project team must submit a Green Building Special Inspection Agreement with each project application.
3. Include Final CALGreen Checklist & Green Building Requirements in Contract Documents: Include the applicable CALGreen Checklist into the plan set using one of the following GB-1 Res Mandatory Sheet, GB-1 Res Mandatory Plus Tier 1, or GB-1 Res Mandatory Plus Tier 2. Include a GB-2 Water Use Calculation sheet if the project includes a landscaping scope. Update this sheet if the approach has changed from the Planning Phase. If the project is subject to Green Building Special Inspection, the sheet must be signed by the Green Building Special Inspector. Projects must reference the Residential Green Building Standard Conditions and include the applicable design elements and sheet notes on the contract documents.
4. Energy Reach Code Compliance: If the project is subject to the Energy Reach Code, ensure that the Energy Compliance report shows the minimum requirements in accordance with requirements identified on the Residential Energy Reach Code Verification Form. In special or unusual circumstances, projects may be unable to meet the Energy Reach Code. In this case, the project must meet the Energy Reach Code Infeasibility Guidelines.
5. Complete Survey: Complete the Green Building Survey. Projects that are required to complete the survey are listed on the Green Building Verification Form.
INSPECTION PHASE
1. Follow Green Building Inspection Guidelines: Projects MUST follow the Residential Green Building Inspection Guidelines throughout construction. For CALGreen Mandatory projects, the CPA Building Inspector shall perform the Green Building Pre-Construction Meeting with the General Contractor. For CALGreen Tier 1 and CALGreen Tier 2 projects, the Green Building Special Inspector must lead this inspection and it must be witnessed by the CPA Building Inspector. IMPORTANT! Tier 1 and Tier 2 projects must provide monthly reports to their Green Building Special Inspector throughout construction.
2. Schedule a Green Building Pre-Construction Meeting IVR #111: Call the Development Center at 329-2496 to schedule the Green Building Pre-Construction Meeting using IVR Code #111. For CALGreen Tier 1 and Tier 2 projects, the Green Building Special Inspector assigned to the project MUST lead the pre-construction meeting. Review requirements that will need to be met throughout the construction process including the Residential CALGreen Certificate of Compliance forms and details in the Residential Green Building Inspection Guidelines.
3. Schedule a Green Building Incremental Verification #112: Call the Development Center at 329-2496 to schedule the Green Building Incremental Verification #112 prior to Rough Inspection. See the Residential Green Building Inspection Guidelines for details. Ensure all required Residential CALGreen Certificate of Compliance forms and supporting documentation are completed and ready for review in accordance with the Residential Green Building Inspection Guideline.
4. Schedule a Green Building Final Inspection on #974: Call the Development Center at 329-2496 to schedule the Green Building Final Inspection #974 prior to Final Building Inspection. See the Residential Green Building Inspection Guidelines for details. Ensure all required Residential CALGreen Certificate of Compliance forms and supporting documentation are completed and ready for review in accordance with the Residential Green Building Inspection Guideline. Green Building Special Inspectors must have their Residential Green Building Special Inspector Field Notes ready for review by the Building Inspector.
NOTE: For projects that submited for permit before 6/22/2015, approximately one week prior to requesting a Final Inspection, the Green Point Rater shall submit a signed copy of GB-1 sheet to the Development Center either during Green Building Counter Hours or via email to melanie.jacobson@cityofpaloalto.org.
The Green Building Ordinance requires non-residential projects to meet either CALGreen Mandatory, CALGreen Tier 1, or CALGreen Tier 2. CALGreen is a robust code that enables Development Services to enforce green requirements similarly to how other building codes are regulated. If a project requires Planning approval, then green building requirements listed under "Planning Phase" apply. If a project is not subject to Planning approval, then the green building requirements listed under "Plan Check Phase" apply to the project.
VIDEO TRAININGS
The following video trainings contain a summary of the content found within the Residential Compliance section of this page. For "Full Screen" viewing, click the individual video header to open in a new window within YouTube. Once in YouTube, click the "Full Screen" button at the bottom right hand corner of the viewer.
INTRODUCTION Non-Residential Green Building (Effective 6/22/15)
PROJECT SUMBITTALS Non-Residential Green Building (Effective 6/22/15)
INTRODUCTION Non-Residential Energy Reach Code (Effective 9/10/15)
PROJECT SUBMITTALS Non-Residential Energy Reach Code (Effective 9/10/15)
ENERGY SIMULATION TRAINING (For Energy Modelers) Non-Residential Energy Reach Code (Effective 9/10/15)
PLANNING PHASE (Applies only to projects subject to Planning Review)
2. Include Preliminary CALGreen Checklist: Include the following applicable sheets into the plan set using the forms as described in the Non-Residential Green Building Verification Form and Non-Residential Energy Reach Code and Commissioning Verification Form. Use the EVSE Calculator for new construction requiring electric vehicle parking.
3. Include Commissioning Requirements: For ALL new non-residential buildings, Building Commissioning is required in accordance the California Energy Code Section 120.8. For projects less than 10,000 square feet, only the design review requirements shall be completed. The Owner or Owner's Representative shall complete and sign the Owner's Project Requirements in the sheet GB-3 below. The design team shall include a preliminary Basis of Design and include on the project plans using the following sheets. The final Basis of Design shall be completed and submitted at Plan Check.
OPTIONAL: New non-residential construction and major renovation projects. Projects may elect to engage Base Energy Services for a complimentary Zero Net Energy Design Review. If the project would like to participate, click here for additional information.
2. Include Final CALGreen Checklist & Green Building Requirements in Contract Documents: Include the following applicable GB sheets into the plan set using one the forms listed in the Green Building Verification Form. Complete the required GB-1 sheet that reflects the design elements of the final design and construction elements. For projects that went through Planning, update the GB-1 sheet from Planning Phase if the approach has changed. Include a GB-2 sheet below for projects with a landscape scope.
3. Energy Reach Code Compliance: If the project is subject to the Energy Reach Code, ensure that the Energy Compliance report shows the minimum requirements in accordance with requirements identified on the Non-Residential Energy Reach Code Verification Form. In special or unusual circumstances, projects may be unable to meet the Energy Reach Code. In this case, the project must meet the Energy Reach Code Infeasibility Guidelines.
4. Include Commissioning Requirements: For ALL new non-residential buildings, Building Commissioning is required in accordance the California Energy Code Section 120.8. For projects less than 10,000 square feet, only the design review requirements shall be completed.
The Owner or Owner's Representative shall complete and sign the Owner's Project Requirements in the sheet GB-3 below. The design team shall include a Final Basis of Design and include on the project plans using the following sheets. The Commissioning Authority shall provide and sign the Commissioning Plan using the GB-4 sheet below. Multiple sheets may be used for larger projects.
3. Complete the Green Building Survey. Projects that are required to complete the survey are listed on the Green Building Verification Form.
INSPECTION PHASE
IMPORTANT! Projects must reference the GB-1 sheet in the approved permit plans to find the green building checklist and the requirements applicable to the project.
1. Schedule a Green Building Pre-Construction Meeting IVR #111: Schedule a Green Building Pre-Construction Meeting as outlined in the Non-Residential Green Building Inspection Guidelines with by calling the Development Center at 329-2496. Determine if an Green Building Incremental Verification will be required during Rough Inspection and include in the project schedule.
2. Schedule a Green Building Incremental Verification #112: Call the Development Center at 329-2496 to schedule the Green Building Incremental Verification #112 prior to Rough Inspection. See the Non-Residential Green Building Inspection Guidelines for details.
3. Schedule a Green Building Final Inspection #974: Call the Development Center at 329-2496 to schedule the Green Building Final Inspection #974 several weeks prior to Final Building Inspection. Prepare all required submittals and a signed GB-1 sheet in accordance with the Non-Residential Green Building Inspection Checklist. Prepare all required supporting documentation for review in accordance with the Residential Green Building Inspection Guideline.
POST OCCUPANCY PHASE
1. Submit an Energy Star Benchmark. Complete the Energy Star Benchmark after the project has been occupied for 12 months. Note that fines may be applied for non-compliance.
