Chapter 24.15
GREEN BUILDING REGULATIONS*
* Editor’s Note: The ordinance codified in this chapter was passed for final adoption on November 8, 2005. The effective date for observance of the regulations codified herein is January 2, 2006. For the first twelve months that the ordinance is effective, compliance with the standard is voluntary; however, every applicant for a building permit for a covered project shall be required to complete the residential or commercial checklist as appropriate to their project. After one year, full compliance is mandatory. [See § 3 of Ord. 2005-29.]
Sections:
24.15.010 Purpose and findings.
24.15.020 Definitions.
24.15.030 Standards for compliance.
24.15.040 Exceptions.
24.15.050 Maintenance of document.
24.15.060 Method of compliance.
24.15.070 Exceptional design.
24.15.080 Creation of Green Building Educational Resource Fund.
24.15.010 PURPOSE AND FINDINGS.
The city finds that green building design, construction and operation can have a significant positive effect on energy and resource efficiency, waste and pollution generation, and the health and productivity of a building’s occupants over the life of the building. The second purpose is to create healthy work and living environments increasing the productivity of workers and residents and visitors to the city by improving indoor air quality and lighting.
The intent of this section is to help promote the environmental sustainability of natural resources and improvement of the interior environment by efficiently redirecting the use of recyclable materials away from landfills, by introducing recycled-content and materials created with a low embodied energy materials in construction, and by reducing the energy consumption needs of structures by making use of efficient construction methods.
The city also finds that green design and construction decisions made by the city in the construction and remodeling of city buildings can result in significant cost savings to the city over the life of the buildings. The city also recognizes that it must lead by example in order to have the general populace follow suit and therefore commits itself to the practice of green building for all new and remodeling construction on city owned buildings and structures.
(Ord. 2005-29 § 1 (part), 2005).
24.15.020 DEFINITIONS.
a. “Addition” means a new building or structure expansion that is physically connected to a previously existing building.
b. “Interior remodel” means a change or alteration in only the interior of a building that does not increase its net square footage.
c. “New construction” means a new building not physically connected to a previously existing building.
d. “Non-habitable residential structure” means a building on a residential property that is not legally habitable, such as a garage or shed.
e. “Non-residential” means not meeting the definition of “residential.”
f. “Residential” means single-family or multi-family residences, less than or equal to three stories (above grade) in height.
g. “Remodel” means a change or alteration in a building that does not increase its net square footage.
(Ord. 2005-29 § 1 (part), 2005).
24.15.030 STANDARDS FOR COMPLIANCE.
Persons constructing a new building, adding to or substantially remodeling a building in the city of Santa Cruz shall participate in the Santa Cruz Green Building Program. In order to obtain a building permit for any new building, addition or substantial remodel in excess of those exempted in Section 24.15.040, each project must include elements from the program checklist equal to or exceeding the following:
|
Total Points Available |
75 |
|
Action |
Points Required to Receive Action: |
|
C-1. Receipt of Building Permit* |
7 |
|
C-2. Accelerated building permit processing |
33 |
|
C-3. Green Building Award |
40 |
*Exceptions:
• These points are not required for non-residential additions and remodels totaling less than 1,000 square feet, or interior-only non-residential remodels of any size.
|
Total Points Available |
506 |
|
|
|
Points Required to Receive Action: |
|
|
Action |
First 350 Square Feet |
Each Additional 100 Square Feet |
|
R-N-1. Receipt of building permit* |
20 |
1.5 |
|
R-N-2. Accelerated building permit processing |
45 |
2.5 |
|
R-N-3. Green Building Award |
75 |
3.5 |
*Exceptions:
• These points are not required for stand-alone decks less than 350 square feet.
|
Total Points Available |
523 |
|
|
|
Points Required to Receive Action: |
|
|
Action |
First 350 Square Feet |
Each Additional 100 Square Feet |
|
R-A/R-1. Receipt of building permit* |
15 |
1.1 |
|
R-A/R-2. Accelerated building permit processing |
35 |
1.9 |
|
R-A/R-3. Green Building Award |
45 |
2.5 |
*Exceptions:
• These points are not required for additions and/or remodels of less than 350 square feet.
• These points are not required for stand-alone decks less than 350 square feet.
(Amended 8/1/2008; Ord. 2005-29 § 1 (part), 2005).
24.15.040 EXCEPTIONS.
The following are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
• Additions and remodels of less than three hundred fifty (350) square feet of any dwelling structure.
• Additions and remodels of less than one thousand (1,000) square and interior remodels of any non-residential structure.
• Equipment and non-structural modifications of any residential or non-residential structure.
• Non-habitable residential structures of less than one thousand (1,000) square feet.
• General maintenance of any structure.
• Historical structures where the historic fabric would be compromised.
(Ord. 2005-29 § 1 (part), 2005).
24.15.050 MAINTENANCE OF DOCUMENT.
From time to time, but not less than on a biannual basis, building and planning staff shall update the Green Building Program documentation and checklist to reflect advances in green building techniques and materials and to make necessary modifications in program implementation.
(Ord. 2005-29 § 1 (part), 2005).
24.15.060 METHOD OF COMPLIANCE.
The chief building official and/or the principal planner shall maintain the following documents for the public:
• City of Santa Cruz: Standards for Green Building Compliance
• New Home Green Points Check List for Residential Buildings
• New Building Green Points Check List for Non-Residential Buildings
These documents shall be to aid in the design and certification of new residential and non-residential buildings and significant remodels and additions thereto. Every applicant of a building permit not exempted by Section 24.15.040, Exceptions, above, shall complete and submit the appropriate checklist for their project as well along with the standard application documents. All compliance measures shall be clearly delineated on plan sets.
(Ord. 2005-29 § 1 (part), 2005).
24.15.070 EXCEPTIONAL DESIGN.
Designers and builders employing exceptional design, construction practices and/or maintenance features may have their project modified from the strict interpretation of the program if in the opinion of the principal planner or building official such features exhibit at least a 20 percent increase in points over the minimum standards for a Green Building Award as outlined in Section 24.15.030, Standards for Compliance, above. Exceptional designs shall also be recognized by the city and be eligible to receive a plaque that may be displayed on the structure.
Projects meeting the requirements for accelerated processing as outlined in Section 24.15.030, above, shall receive an accelerated position in both the design review process and building plan check, essentially placing the project in front of less efficient projects.
(Ord. 2005-29 § 1 (part), 2005).
24.15.080 CREATION OF GREEN BUILDING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FUND.
All permits issued by the city of Santa Cruz with the exception of sub-trade permits and permits issued in conjunction with a master permit shall be assessed a fee equal to .0025 times the overall valuation of the project. Revenues collected shall be maintained by the finance department is a revolving Green Building Education Fund and shall be used only for program management, public educational purposes such as publications and local seminars.
(Ord. 2005-29 § 1 (part), 2005).