HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-02 Ordinance 5006ORDINANCE NO. 5006
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO
ALTO AMENDING TITLE 18 (ZONING) OF THE PALO ALTO
MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD A NEW CHAPTER 18.44 (GREEN
BUILDING REGULATIONS)
WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto's (City) Comprehensive Plan sets forth goals for
preserving and improving the City's natural and built environment, protecting the health of its
residents and visitors, conserving water and energy, and fostering its economy; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palo Alto has identified Environmental
----.-Prot~Gtion-as-one-of-its-top-four-goals,-and-green-building-is-a-keycomponent-o?environmental----_ ....
protection; and
WHEREAS, green building design, construction, restoration, operation, and
maintenance can have a significant positive effect on energy, water, and resource conservation,
waste management and pollution generation, and the health and productivity of a property's
residents, workers, and visitors over the life of a building and/or site; and
WHEREAS, the provisions of California Assembly Bill 32 (Global Warming
Solutions Act) require actions on the part of State and local governments to significantly reduce
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such that statewide GHG emissions in 2020 are lowered to
1990 levels; and
WHEREAS, failure to address and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions
could result in rises in sea level, including in San Francisco Bay, that could put at risk Palo Alto
homes and businesses, public facilities, and Highway 101 (Bayshore Freeway); and
WHEREAS, green building regulations comprise an important component of a
whole systems......approach. to the City's sustainability. program related to building and J~!!nd,±=========
development, other components of which include but are not limited to requirements for:
disposal of construction and demolition debris, storm water quality and flood protection, tree
protection, water conservation, recyclable materials storage, parking lot landscaping, and
transportation demand management.
Now, the Council of the city of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as follows:
SECTION L Findings. The City Council finds as follows:
A. The City's Climate Protection Plan (CPP), adopted by the City Council on
December 3, 2007, identifies green building as an important approach to
reducing greenhouse gases generated in the Palo Alto community. The CPP
notes that building construction and maintenance accounts for approximately
1
080604 syn 6050410
38% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (U.S. Department of Energy) and
approximately 40% of the energy use in the Palo Alto community. Buildings
also account for much of the 14% of emissions that are generated by waste
materials; fllld
B. Green building and landscape design, construction, operations and
maintenance techniques are increasingly widespread in residential and
commercial building construction, and green building benefits can be spread
throughout the systems and features of a building, such that green buildings
can include: the use of certified sustainable wood products and high-recycled
content products; reuse of existing facilities and recycling and salvage;
reduced demands on heating and cooling systems; increased energy
efficiency; enhancement of indoor air quality; reduced per capita demand on
water resources and infrastructure; and the installation of alternative and
-renewabte-energY1lystems;and
C. At the national and state levels, the U.S. Green Building Council has taken the
lead in promoting and defining commercial green building by developing the
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System™;
and
D. At the state level, Build It Green has taken the lead in promoting and defining
residential green building by developing the GreenPoint Rated Rating
System™; and
E. Nothing in this ordinance is intended to duplicate, contradict, or infringe upon
provisions of state law, including the California Building Standards Code. The
ordinance and the associated checklists provide many opportunities to achieve
required points and credits that do not impact areas where state law has
established building standards.
F. On April 9, 2008, the Planning and Transportation Commission held a duly
ootieed publie hcarifig and heard testimOIi)L::regarding a· greeil:=huilding
ordinance, and recommended adoption of the green building ordinance to the
City Council.
G. On May 12, 2008, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing and
heard testimony regarding the proposed green building ordinance.
H. Because the design, restoration, construction, and maintenance of buildings
and structures within the City can have a significant impact on the City's
environment, greenhouse gas emissions, resource usage, energy efficiency,
waste management and the health and productivity of residents, workers and
visitors over the life of the building, requiring commercial and residential
projects to incorporate green building measures is necessary and appropriate
to achieve the public health and welfare benefits of green building.
2
080604 syn 6050410
SECTION 2. A new Chapter 18.44 (Green Building Regulations) of Title 18
(Zoning) ofthe Palo Alto Municipal Code is hereby added to read as follows:
Chapter 18.44
GREEN BUILDING REGULATIONS
Sections:
18.44.010 Purpose
18.44.020 Applicability
18.44.030 Definitions
18.44.040 Standards for Compliance
-------18.44~050~Incenti¥es-for~Compliance .....
18.44.060 Administrative Procedures and Promulgation ofImplementing
18.44.070
18.44.080
Hardship or Infeasibility Exemption
Appeal
18.44.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this Chapter is to enhance the public health and welfare by promoting the
environmental and economic health of the City through the design, construction, maintenance,
operation and deconstruction of buildings and other site development by incorporating green
building practices into all development. The green building provisions referred to in this Chapter
are designed to achieve the following goals:
(a) Increase energy efficiency in buildings;
(b) Encourage water and resource conservation;
( c) Reduce waste generated by construction projects;
(d)J>I<tvide ~l~buildings that are efficient ~4 economicaI-to o~p. and O}J~;
(e) Promote the health and productivity of residents, workers, and visitors to the city;
and
(f) Recognize and conserve the energy embodied in existing buildings.
18.44.020 Applicability
This ordinance applies to all projects defined as "Covered Projects," as defined below,
except that it shall not apply to any project for which a planning entitlement application (except
for a preliminary architectural review application) or building permit application has been
submitted prior to the effective date of this ordinance.
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080604 syn 6050410
18.44.030 Definitions.
The following terms shall have the ascribed definition for the purposes of applying the
criteria of this chapter. When the definition differs from a definition in Section 18.04 of this
code, the provisions of this section shall apply.
(a) "Addition" means new construction square footage added to an existing structure.
(b) "Applicant" means any entity that applies to the city for the applicable permits to
undertake any covered project within the city, or any subsequent owner of the site.
(c) "Compliance official" means the Director of Planning and Community Environment
or his or her designee.
(d) "Compliance threshold" means the minimum number of points or rating level of a
greeiiDuilaing rating system that musTDe attainedrora particular Covered Project, as
~~~~~_ .............. ~the .. StaDdard&for.ComplianceJn$ectioIL18.4~tQ4fi.~~~~
(e) "Covered project" means any planning entitlement application(s) or building permit
application(s) for commercial (nonresidential) new construction or renovations, or for
any multi-family or single-family or two-family residential new construction or
renovation subject to the Standards for Compliance outlined in Section 18.44.040.
(f) "Good faith effort" means a project that has not met the required compliance
threshold, but for extenuating reasons or reasons beyond the control of the applicant,
the Compliance Official has found the project meets the good faith effort provisions
of Section 18.44.060.
(g) "Green building" means a whole systems approach to the design, construction and
operation of buildings that substantially mitigates the environmental, economic, and
social impacts of buildings. Green building practices recognize the relationship
between the natural and built environments and seek to minimize the use of energy,
water and other natural resources and provide a healthy, productive indoor
(h) "Green building project checklist" means a checklist or scorecard developed for the
purpose of calculating a green building rating.
0) "Green building rating system" means the rating system associated with specific
green building criteria and used to determine compliance thresholds, as outlined in
the Standards of Compliance adopted by City Council resolution. Examples of rating
systems include, but are not limited to, the LEED and GreenPoint Rated systems.
G) "GreenPoint Rated" means a residential green building rating system developed by
the Build It Green organization.
4
080604 syn 6050410
(k) "GreenPoint RatedVerification" means verification of compliance by a certified
GreenPoint Rater, resulting in green building certification by Build It Green.
(1) "LEED®" means the "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" green
building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
(m) "LEED®IUSGBC Verification" means verification to meet the standards of the U.S.
Green Building Council (USGBC) and resulting in LEED certification of the project
by the USGBC.
(n) "Mixed use" means the construction of a building or buildings that include both
commercial and residential uses.
(0) "Multi-family residential" means a building containing three or more attached
dwelling units.
-.----... ~-------..-...... -~---...... --.~.-(p) "New construction, commercial (nonresidential),' means the construction of a new or
.. --.~.-....... -~-~replaG~mljmt~r~tailrG£tiG~industFial,wareh0use,ser~vioo,0r~imilar~huilcliIlg~),0r~---
additions to such building(s).
(q) "New construction, residential" means the construction of a new or replacement
single-family or two-family dwelling unit or of new or replacement multi-family
residential building(s), or additions to such building(s).
(r) "Qualified green building professional" means a person trained through the USGBC
as a LEED accredited professional or through Build It Green as a certified green
building professional, or similar qualifications if acceptable to the Compliance
Official. For projects requiring "self-verification," the project architect or designer is
considered a qualified green building professional.
(s) "Renovation" means any rehabilitation, repair, remodeling, change, or modification
to an existing building, where changes to floor area and the footprint of the building
are negligible. The valuation of renovation improvements shall be determined by the
Director of Planning. and Community Environment, upon recommendation of the
===========·=-==eIiief-Buifdirrg-0ffidaLm~The-ehief Buildilig-{)fftctal may exclude from· sucn--=----==--~c-~
valuation the cost of (a) seismic upgrades, (b) accessibility upgrades, or (c)
photovoltaic panels or other solar energy or similar devices exterior to the building.
Renovation valuation thresholds identified in the Standards for Compliance shall be
adjusted annually to reflect changes in the City's valuation per square foot for new
construction in Palo Alto, using valuations in effect as of July 1, 2008, as the base
index.
(t) "Self verification" means verification by the project architect, designer or a qualified
green building professional certifying that the project has met the standards and has
attained the compliance threshold as indicated for the Covered Project type as set
forth in the Standards for Compliance outlined in Section 18.44.040.
5
080604 syn 6050410
(u) "Single-family or two-family residential" means a single detached dwelling unit or
two units in a single building.
(v) "Square footage," for the purposes of calculating commercial, multi-family
residential, and single-family and two-family new construction square footage, means
all new and replacement square footage, including basement areas (7 feet or greater in
height) and garages, except that unconditioned garage space shall only count as 50%
of that square footage. Areas demolished shall not be deducted from the total new
construction square footage.
(w)"Threshold Verification by LEED AP" means verification by a LEED accredited
professional certifying that each LEED checklist point listed was verified to meet the
requirements to achieve that point. Documentation of construction consistent with
building plans calculated to achieve energy compliance is sufficient verification in
lieu of post-construction commissioning.
18.44.040 Standards for Compliance.
The City Council shall establish by resolution, and shall periodically review and update
as necessary, Green Building Standards for Compliance. The Standards for Compliance shall
include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) The types of projects subject to regulation (Covered Projects);
(b) The green building rating system to be applied to the various types of projects;
( c) Minimum thresholds of compliance for various types of projects; and
(d) Timing and methods of verification of compliance with these regulations.
The Standards for Compliance shall be approved after recommendation from the Director
of Planning and Community Environment, who shall refer the Standards for recommendation by
the Architectural Review Board, prior to Council action.
18.44.050 Incentives for Compliance.
(a) -I~cl.ition . to the regui~d standaords for . compliance, the City Council may:'-=-~~_m_ ..... ~
through ordinance or resolution, enact financial, permit review process, or zoning
incentives and/or award or recognition programs to further encourage higher
levels of green building compliance for a project.
(b) For residential projects, the number of GreenPoint checklist points required shall
be reduced by:
080604 syn 6050410
(1) 5 points for maintaining a minimum of 75% of existing walls, floors, and
roof of a structure;
(2) 5 points (in addition to (1) above) for maintaining a minimum of 95% of
existing walls, floors, and roof of a structure; and/or
6
18.44.060
(a)
(3) 10 points (in addition to (1) andlor (2) above) when applied to a structure that
is designated on the City'S Historic Inventory as a Category 1 or Category 2
historic structure as defined in Section 16.49.020 of this code or any
contributing structure located within a locally designated historic district,
subject to determination by the Historic Resources Board that such additions
andlor renovations are consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for Rehabilitation.
Administrative Procedures and Promulgation of Implementing Regulations.
The Director of Planning and Community Environment shall promulgate any
rules and regulations necessary or appropriate to achieve compliance with the
requirements of this Chapter. The rules and regulations shall provide, at a
minimum, for the incorporation of green building requirements of this Chapter
into checklist submittals with planning entitlement and building permit
applications, and supporting design, construction, or development documents to
------::Idemoiistrate complia.tiCeWitli tliiSCillipt~mm
m(b)~pf6ceailies-for c6:rfipllallcea6cumentation sliall incluac-;-out IlotOe-lmufed
to, the following:
080604 syn 6050410
(1) Preliminary Documentation. Applicants for a Covered Project are
encouraged, but not required, to meet with the Compliance Official or his
or her designated staff, in advance of submittal of an application, to
determine required green building thresholds for compliance and to review
the proposed green building program and details to achieve compliance.
(2) Discretionary Planning Entitlements. Upon submittal of an application for
any discretionary planning entitlement for any Covered Project, including
but not limited to Individual Review, Major or Minor Architectural
Review, Site and Design, Planned Community, Conditional Use Permit, or
Variance requests, application materials shall include the appropriate
completed checklists, as required by the Standards for Compliance
specified in Section 18.44.040, accompanied by a text description of the
proposed green building program and expected measures and milestones
~or eQmplian~;:::The CQmplianc~al::ntay~allol'dhe_use~:of=altemathr:e __
checklists for historic buildings or for buildings that retain or re-use
substantial portions of the existing structure.
(3) Building Plan Check Review. Upon submittal of an application for a
building permit, building plans for any Covered Project shall include a
checklist and green building program description, reflecting any changes
proposed since the planning entitlement phase (if a planning entitlement
was required). The checklist shall be incorporated onto a separate plan
sheet included with the building plans. A qualified green building
professional shall provide evidence of adequate green building compliance
or documentation to the Compliance Official to satisfy the requirements of
7
the Standards for Compliance outlined in Section 18.44.040, prior to
issuance of a building permit.
(4) Final Building Inspection, Verification, and Occupancy. Prior to final
building inspection and occupancy for any Covered Project, a qualified
building professional shall provide evidence of adequate green building
compliance or documentation to the Compliance Official to satisfy the
requirements of the Standards for Compliance outlined in Section
18.44.040. This information shall include, but is not limited to:
i.
11.
111.
Documentation that verifies incorporation of the design and
construction related credits specified in the project approval for the
Covered Project;
A letter from the qualified green building professional that certifies
that the Covered Project has been constructed in accordance with
the approved green building project checklist;
Any additional documentation that would be required by the LEED
~.--....... ----~~-~~~r=· eference g1.l1~fOr~r:EE~certilicatioi:i~(irreqiiirea), oroi'· the ...... .
080604 syn 6050410
GreenPoint Rated manuals for GreenPoint Rated certification (if
required); and
iv. Any additional information that the applicant believes is relevant
to determining that a good faith effort has been made to comply
with this chapter.
(5) Final Determination of Compliance and Good Faith Effort to Comply.
Prior to the scheduling of a final building inspection for a Covered Project,
the Compliance Official shall review the documentation submitted by the
applicant, and determine whether the applicant has achieved the required
compliance threshold as set forth in the Standards for Compliance outlined
in Section 18.44.040 and/or demonstrate that measures are in place to
assure compliance not later than one year after approval of final building
inspection. If the Compliance Official determines that the applicant has
met the requirements of Section 18.44.040 for the project, the final
building inspection maymproceed, proviQed the Coverea Project has
received approval of all other inspections required by the Chief Building
Official. If the Compliance Official determines that the required green
building rating has not been achieved, the Compliance Official shall find
one of the following:
i. Good Faith Effort to Comply: When an applicant submits a request
in writing to the Compliance Official for approval of a good faith
effort to comply, the Compliance Official shall determine that the
applicant has made a good faith effort to comply with this chapter
when finding that either a) the cost for providing green building
documentation or assuring compliance is disproportionate to the
8
080604 syn 6050410
11.
overall cost of the project, or b) the green building materials and
technologies on the green building checklist are no longer
available or not yet commercially available, or C) at least 80% of
the required green point credits have been achieved, and measures
are in place to assure full compliance not later than one year after
approval of the final building inspection. Determination of a good
faith effort to comply shall be made separately for each item on the
green building project checklist. Granting of a good faith effort to
comply for one item does not preclude the need for the applicant to
comply with the other items on the green building checklist.
Non-Compliant Project. If the Compliance Official determines that
the applicant has not made a good faith effort to comply with this
chapter, or if the applicant fails to submit the documentation
required within the required time period, then the project shall be
determined to be l'l911-Compliant, al'l4 the final insPt::9tion and
approval for the project shall be withheld. A final inspection shall
~not·take---plaee-""tlntil~the--"ftpplieant--has--implemented~equivalent--.......... -~
alternate measures approved by the Compliance Official or unless
an exemption is granted for the project.
(6) Post Final Inspection Requirement. Not later than one year after approval
of the final building inspection, the applicant or current owner shall submit
to the Compliance Official documentation detailing compliance with the
operation, efficiency, and conservation related credits from the approved
checklist documentation for any Covered Project, if required by the
Compliance Official. The applicant may also provide any additional
information the applicant believes is relevant to determining its good faith
efforts to comply with this chapter.
(7) Non-Compliance. If, as a result of any inspection, the City determines that
the Covered Project does not or is unlikely to comply with the approved
plans or green building checklist, a stop order shall be issued if the
Compliance Official determines that continuation of construction activities
___ will Jeopardize-the.-proj~~t' s ability tD-n:leet the requir.e4comp~li~anl-lJc"lOe,:=:==
threshold. The stop order shall remain in effect until the Compliance
Official determines that the project will be brought into compliance with
the approved plans and/or checklist.
(8) Interim Compliance Effort. For residential projects initiating construction
not later than two years after the effective date of this ordinance, a good
faith effort shall be deemed to have been made when at least 75% of the
required minimum green points have been achieved prior to final building
inspection, and adequate remaining checklist points are outlined to
demonstrate that at least 90% of the minimum points and GreenPoint
certification will be achieved not later than one year after final inspection.
If75% of the required minimum green points are not achieved prior to the
9
(c)
(d)
request for final building inspection, the final inspection shall be withheld
unless an exemption is granted by the Compliance Official.
(9) Lack of Inspectors. If the Compliance Official determines that there is a
lack of third party or City inspectors available to perform green building
inspections within a timely manner, the Compliance Official may allow
self-verification of the project and determine that green building
requirements have been met.
The Compliance Official shall have the responsibility to administer and monitor
compliance with the green building requirements set forth in this chapter and
with any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and to grant exemptions
from the requirements, where so authorized.
Compliance with the provisions of this chapter shall be listed as a condition of
approval on any Architectural Review or other discretionary permit approval, and
on the building plans for building permit approval, for any Covered Project.
____ ~18!L!.=44;:E .• "",O..L70"--_",",H...,a~rd"",s""",h"",ip(L.."o~r"",,,,,]nfeasibili~ ExemptIDn..,..~~
(a) Exemption. If an applicant for a Covered Project believes that circumstances exist
that make it a hardship or infeasible to meet the requirements of this Chapter, the
applicant may request an exemption as set forth below. In applying for an
exemption, the burden is on the Applicant to show hardship or infeasibility.
(b) Application. If an applicant for a Covered Project believes such circumstances
exist, the applicant may apply for an exemption at the time of application
submittal. The applicant shall indicate the maximum threshold of compliance he
or she believes is feasible for the covered project and the circumstances that he or
she believes create a hardship or make it infeasible to fully comply with this
Chapter. Circumstances that constitute hardship or infeasibility include, but are
not limited to the following:
(1) There is conflict with the compatibility of the green building rating system
with other City goals, such as those requiring historic preservation;
(2) There is conflict with the compatibility of the green building rating system
(3) There is conflict with the compatibility of the green building rating system
and the City's Zoning Ordinance and/or Architectural Review criteria;
(4) The green building compliance standards do not include enough green
building measures that are compatible with the scope of the covered
project; andlor
(5) There is a lack of commercially available green building materials and
technologies to comply with the green building rating system.
(c) Review by Architectural Review Board (ARB) and/or Historic Resources Board
(HRB). For any covered project for which an exemption is requested and
10
080604 syn 6050410
Architectural Review is required by the ARB, the ARB shall provide a
recommendation to the Director regarding whether the exemption shall be
granted or denied, along with its recommendation on the project. For any project
for which an exemption is requested based on the historic character of the
building or site, the Historic Resources Board (HRB) shall provide a
recommendation to the Director regarding whether the exemption shall be
granted or denied and shall determine whether the project is consistent with the
Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Rehabilitation.
(d) Granting of Exemption. If the Director determines that it is a hardship or is
infeasible for the applicant to fully meet the requirements of this chapter based on
the information provided, the Director shall determine the maximum feasible
threshold of compliance reasonably achievable for the project. The decision of
the Director shall be provided to the applicant in writing. If an exemption is
granted, the applicant shall be required to comply with this chapter in all other
~~-.--------
(e)
(f)
18.44.080
(a)
(b)
respects and shall be required to achieve, in accordance with this chapter, the
-threshold of compliance determIned to be achievable by the DIrector. -~---~-
Denial of Exemption. If the Director determines that it is reasonably possible for
the applicant to fully meet the requirements of this chapter, the request shall be
denied and the Director shall so notify the applicant in writing. The project and
compliance documentation shall be modified to comply with this chapter prior to
further review of any pending planning or building application.
Council Review of Exemption. For any covered project that requires review and
action by the City Council, the Council shall act to grant or deny the exemption,
based on the criteria outlined above, after recommendation by the Director.
Appeal.
Any aggrieved Applicant or person may appeal the determination of the Director
regarding: (1) the granting or denial of an exemption pursuant to Section
18.44.070; or (2) compliance with any other provision of this ordinance.
Any appeal must be filed in writing with the Department of Planning and
Community En:v:icfGnment nolJ~~r than fourteen (14) days after the date of tht,t
determination by the Director. The appeal shall state the alleged error or reason
for the appeal.
( c) . The appeal shall be processed and considered by the City Council in accordance
with the provisions of Section 18.77.070(e) of the City of Palo Alto Municipal
Code.
SECTION 3. Not later than one year after the effective date of the ordinance, a
report shall be prepared for presentation to the Architectural Review Board, Planning and
Transportation Commission, and City Council regarding the results of implementation of the
ordinance. The report shall include, but is not limited to, documentation of the number and types
of projects subject to the ordinance, explanation of whether and how compliance was achieved,
11
080604 syn 6050410
identification of any problems arising from implementation. and any recommendations for
revisions to the ordinance or accompanying resolution and Standards for Compliance tables.
SECTION 4. Severability. If any section of this ordinance. or part hereof. is held
by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judicial action to be void, voidable or
unenforceable. such section. or part hereof, shall be deemed severable from the remaining
sections of this ordinance and shall in no way affect the validity of the remaining sections hereof.
SECTION 5. The Council hereby finds this ordinance is categorically exempt
from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to
Section 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines because it is an action taken by a regulatory agency for
the protection of the environment.
SECTION 6.
date of its adoption.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
This ordinance shall be effective on the thirty-first day after the
May 12,2008
June 02, 2008
BURT, DREKMEIER, ESPINOSA, KlSHIMOTO, KLEIN,
MORTON, SCHMID, YEH
BARTON
~
~}v, f±ttrf:dP
Deputy Ci ~ttomey Q~N~
~ City a ager
Director of Planning and
Community Environment
080604 syn 6050410
11
----
Note: Applicants are advised to use this table only in conjunch"A with the entirety of
requirements in Chapter 18.44 (Green Building Regulations)
Table A
City of Palo Alto
Green Building Standards for Compliance
for Private Development
Nonresidential Construction and Renovation
Type of ProjectS Building Improvements
Checklist Required2 Minimum Threshold Verification
Nonresidential Construction and
Renovationl
New construction ~ 25,000 sf LEED-NC Checklist LEED Silver (33 LEEDIUSGBC
points) verification
New construction ~ 5,000 sf ancr-~ ~hreshold-~ -.... ~--~
LEED Sil (33
~
.c 2'i_000 "f LEED-NC Checklist nnint,,) verification by LEED
~
New construction ~ 500 sf and LEED Pro-rated Threshold
< 5,000 sf LEED-NC Checklist points3 verification by LEED
AP
Renovation ~ 5,000 sf and ~ 50% LEED Certified (26 Threshold
of project sf and ~ $500,0006 LEED-NC Checklist verification by LEED
valuation3 points) AP
Other renovation ~ $100,0006 Submit checklist;
valuation LEED-CI Checklist include on building Self verification
plans
New construction < 500 sf and
renovation < $100,0006 of No requirement
valuation
Mixed Use or Other Development Commercial and residential criteria as applicable4
I Cumulati ve new construction or renovations over any 2-year period following adoption of these
reqllirellleI1ts::shall::be::cDllsideled:as:a:singl.c::pmj:ect.:1l1tle~pted:by the Planning DireeteftlSm
impractical for compliance.
2 Compliance with other LEED® checklists, including but not limited to LEED-CS (Core & Shell), LEED-
CI (Commercial Interiors), or LEED-EB (Existing Buildings) may be substituted for the designated rating
system where deemed appropriate by the Planning Director, after recommendation by the Architectural
Review Board (if ARB review is required).
3 Pro-rated formula = (new construction sf/5,000) x 33 points, but not less than 17 points.
4 To be determined by the Planning Director; generally the provisions of Table A will apply to the
commercial portion of the development. and the provisions of Table B will apply to the residential portions
of the development.
S Exemptions may be available for historic structures, pursuant to Section 18.44.070 of the ordinance. The
Compliance Official may allow the use of alternative checklists for historic buildings or for buildings that
retain or re-use substantial portions of the existing structure.
6 To be adjusted annually to reflect changes to the City'S valuation per square foot of new construction.
080430 syn 6050412 Page 1
-.............. _--
~--.
Note: Applicants are \;vised to use this table only in conjunc+' r with the entirety of
requirements in Chapter 18.44 (Green Building Rt-6ulations)
TableB
City of Palo Alto
Green Building Standards for Compliance for Private Development
Residential Construction and Renovation
Type of Project4 Building Improvements
Checklist Require . . mum Threshold Verification
Multi-Family Residentiali
New construction of 3 or more Multifamily 70 points4 GreenPoint Rated
(attached) units2 GreenPoint Checklist verification
Additions and/or renovations with Multifamily Submit checklist;
permit valuation ~ $100,0005 GreenPoint Checklist include on building Self verification
plans
Additions-and/or-renovationswith--~.--------~-No requirement . -~---~.~-....
. permit valuation < $100,0005
Single-Family and Two-Family
Residentiali
Single-Family 70 points + 1 point GreenPoint Rated New construction of ~ 2,550 sf per additional 70 sf GreenPoint Checklist (150 points maximum)4 verification
New construction of ~ 1,250 sf and Single-Family 70 points4 GreenPoint Rated
< 2,550 sf GreenPoint Checklist verification
Additions « 1,250 sf) and/or Single-Family GreenPoint Rated renovations with permit valuation 70 points4
~$350,0005 GreenPoint Checklist verification
Additions (<1,250 sf) and/or Home Remodeling Submit checklist;
renovations ~$75,0005and < Green Building include on building Self verification
$350,0005 permit valuation Checklist plans
Additions and/or renovations of No requirement <$75,0005 permit valuation
Mixed-Use or ather Development-eornrnercial aniI resiiIential entena-as-apphea6Ie?
I Cumulative new construction or renovations over any 2-year period following adoption of these
requirements shall be considered as a single project, unless exempted by the Planning Director as
impractical for compliance.
2 For any multi-family residential project with 30 or more new units proposed, a LEED-ND (Neighborhood
Development) checklist shall also be completed and submitted with the application, for information only.
3 To be determined by the Planning Director; generally the provisions of Table A will apply to the
commercial portion of the development, and the provisions of Table B will apply to the residential portions
of the development.
4 Exemptions may be available for historic structures, pursuant to Section 18.44.070. The Compliance
Official may allow the use of alternative checklists for historic buildings or for buildings that retain or re-
use substantial portions of the existing structure, and may reduce the minimum threshold (points) required
as outlined in Section 18.44.050.5 To be adjusted annually to reflect changes to the City'S valuation per
square foot of new construction.
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