Beyond Code

Efforts “beyond code” will achieve additional greenhouse gas emission reductions as local governments pass green building ordinances that include targets to exceed minimum state standards or mandates.

Local Government Green Building Programs

Cities and counties are essential partners contributing significantly to California's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  Several local municipalities are already taking action to be part of the solution to address climate change.  Many of these municipalities have enacted policies, ordinances, and guidelines that mandate or encourage green building in commercial and residential developments to increase energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions.  They have the authority to establish more restrictive standards that exceed the mandatory measures in the CALGreen because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions.

The Office of the General Attorney maintains a list of cities in California that have enacted mandatory Green Building Ordinances.

You can also find information on local ordinances on the Built It Green Website.  Directory of Green Point Rated Ordinances in California.

Also check the CoolCalifornia.org website to learn how your local jurisdiction can achieve GHG emission reductions.

3rd-Party Certification

Many green building programs exist to evaluate and rate energy efficiency and environmental performance of buildings.  Most of these systems are voluntary programs that have strong presence within the building design communities.

Below are several of the more well-recognized green building rating systems:

  • The US Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program is a nationally accepted rating system that provides a whole building approach to certification of new and existing green buildings that cover design, construction and operations.
  • Build It Green (BIG) administers the GreenPoint Rated residential green building rating program with a California focus.
  • The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) offers a green building certification program geared towards California schools.
  • Green Building Initiative promotes Green Globes as an environmental assessment, education and rating system, which addresses both new construction of commercial buildings and the maintenance and improvement of existing buildings.

For questions or comments, please contact: Dana Papke Waters at (916) 324-9615


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