Green Building Ordinance

On April 6, 2010 the City Council adopted a mandatory Green Building Ordinance applicable to residential and non-residential private development projects. The Ordinance is will become effective on May 15, 2010. Information to assist applicants with green building compliance is available at the City’s Planning and Building Services Department.
All building construction projects must comply with the new green building requirements except for the following:
  1. Complete Applications: Any design review application deemed complete by the Planning Division or any building permit application meeting the standards for building permit acceptance by the Building Division prior to May 15, 2010. Should any such application expire prior to issuance of a building permit the project will then become subject to the requirements of the Ordinance. 
  2. Small Commercial: New construction, renovation or first time tenant improvements of less than 5,000 square feet of conditioned commercial space.
  3. Minor Commercial Alterations: Renovations or alterations of over 5,000 square feet of existing conditioned commercial interiors when the project does not affect structural components and entail the replacement of, or significant upgrade to, at least one or more of the mechanical, electrical and/or plumbing systems. Note: this exemption does not apply to first time tenant improvements.
  4. Residential Alterations: Renovations or remodelings of residential buildings.
  5. Small Residential Enlargements: Additions of less than 1,000 square feet of habitable space to a residential building. A completed Green Building Checklist must also be submitted for additions that are subject to design review but are smaller than 1,000 square feet, however, no achievement level is required of them.
  6. Historical Resources: Renovation or restoration of structures specifically listed on a national, state or local register of historical resources not including contributing structures.