Did you know that California is the first state to implement a green building ordinance? On January 1st, 2011, all existing and new buildings will face stricter code requirements – whether residential, commercial or multi-family.
These statewide requirements are part of California’s CalGreen building standards, created to ensure that residential buildings become “carbon neutral” by 2020, and commercial buildings by 2030.
How it works
In the new year, our California state building code will require a basic level of compliance for green building. At some point of time on or after January 1st , Oakland also will ask for extra requirements based on our uniquely local conditions.
What does this mean for you, the homeowner? If you need a permit for renovating/improving/repairing an existing building, you will need to implement green building practices. And the same will be true for new homes.
How will you be evaluated? For homes, a system developed by a non-profit organization called Build It Green will be applied. Your home will be awarded a certain number of GreenPoints (GPR) for each green feature. Soon, homes will be required to have a certain number of GPRs to conform to code. Separately, commercial buildings will be evaluated by the more stringent LEEDS requirements.
Get prepared now
Want to know more about Oakland? Keep up with the latest requirements by reaching the Green Building Resource Center (GBRC), which is prepared to answer your questions about renovations, construction and other green conservation concerns. You may visit them near Oakland City Hall, at 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, or else call them at 510-238-SAVE (7283).
What’s happening next? Stay tuned for July, when the next draft of California’s Green Building Ordinance will come out. As a homeowner, don’t expect to become an instant expert – but make sure you double-check your plans with suppliers to ensure compliance. It’s a great time to be involved with green building!
Want to dive more deeply? If you’re ambitious, then you should check out the California Green Building Standards Code presentation in its entirety. For Oakland details, please keep up with the green building codes and news at our Green Building Resource Center online.