Palo Alto project applicants are encouraged to start preparing their green building application as early in the design process as possible to minimize cost, and increase the opportunity of including more green features.
The City's requirements, verification method and compliance penalties differ by project type. Click on the project type below to download the associated green building application. For ALL project types listed below an application is due prior to building permit issuance and after construction, prior to final inspection.
The City is willing to consider alternative methods of compliance such as other rating systems or building codes so long as they are deemed equivalent in spirit and stringency to the rating system, code or program referenced. The applicant must work with the City Sustainability Planner to ensure equivalency and compliance documentation acceptability.
RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
| Green Building Project Type |
Standard |
Compliance Level |
Verification |
Necessary Compliance Resources |
| New Construction ≥ 2,550 sf |
Build It Green, Green Point Rated |
70 Points + 1 point per additional 70 sf over 2,550 sf
|
Achieve Build It Green Certification through Green Point Rater review. Verified by the City of Palo Alto. |
1. Palo Alto Green Building Application
2. Palo Alto GB-1 Form
3. BIG Green Point Rated Guidelines & Checklist |
| New Construction ≥1,250 sf and < 2,550 sf |
Build It Green, Green Point Rated |
70 points
|
Achieve Build It Green Certification through Green Point Rater review. Verified by the City of Palo Alto. |
1. Palo Alto Green Building Application
2.Palo Alto GB-1 Form
3. BIG Green Point Rated Guidelines & Checklist |
| Additions (New Added Construction on an Existing Home) < 1,250 sf and/or Renovations ≥ $75,000 Valuation |
Build It Green, Green Point Rated |
Checklist Only & C&D Debris Diversion 50%
|
Verified by the City of Palo Alto. |
1. Palo Alto Green Building Application
2. Home Remodeling Checklist |
| Multi Family New Construction of 3 or More (attached) Units |
Build It Green, Green Point Rated |
70 Points
|
Achieve Build It Green Certification through Green Point Rater review. Verified by the City of Palo Alto. |
1. Palo Alto Green Building Application
2. Palo Alto GB-1 Form
3. BIG Green Point Rated Guidelines & Checklist |
| Multi Family Additions and/or Renovations with ≥ $100,000 Valuation |
Build It Green, Green Point Rated |
Checklist Only C&D Debris Diversion 50%
|
Verified by the City of Palo Alto. |
1. Palo Alto Green Building Application
2. BIG Green Point Rated Guidelines & Checklist |
| Demolition Permits & Projects, > 25K Non Residential or $75,000 Residential Valuation Projects Not Covered in Project Types A-E. |
C&D Debris Diversion Only |
50%
|
Verified by the City of Palo Alto. |
1. Palo Alto Green Building Application
|
|
NON-RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What if my project does not fall into any of the project types listed above?
If your project does not fall into any of the project types listed above, the project has no green building requirements. However, the City encourages you to consider green building practices where appropriate to save you money on your utility bills, provide a healthier environment for the buildings occupants, and to reduce environmental impact.
Q. What salvage companies and/or recycling facilities have been approved by the City to accept construction and demolition debris?
Approved Facilities List
Q. What version of LEED am I required to use?
A nonresidential project is required to use the version of LEED in effect at the time of registration with the Green Building Certification Institute. If the project is seeking verification by the City, the project is required to use the version of LEED in effect at the time of application for building permit.
Q. What is commissioning and how can I develop a commissioning plan and/or report?
Commissioning is required for certain types of buildings depending on the project type and rating system outlined above. Building commissioning is the process of ensuring that systems are designed, installed, functionally tested and capable of being operated and maintained according to the owner's operational needs. According to the National Institute of Building Sciences, commissioning assists in the delivery of a project that provides a safe and healthful facility; optimizes energy use; reduces operating costs; ensures adequate O&M staff orientation and training; and improves installed building systems documentation. The California Commissioning Collaborative (CCC) is one of the best resources for the practice of commissioning. The CCC offers tools for selecting a qualified commissioning agent as well as a list of businesses offering commissioning services. In addition, the CCC offers examples and templates of commissioning plans and reports. Visit: http://www.cacx.org/index.html
Q. What standards apply to mixed use projects?
Apply the appropriate rating system to the portion of the mixed use project that it applies to. For example, a mixed use project of 10,000 sf of commercial space, and 4 condo units, should utilize the LEED rating system for the commercial space and the GreenPoint Rated rating system for the condo units. It is recommended for you to discuss your project type with the City Sustainability Planner.
Q. Under the compliance requirements for my project, it reads “Checklist Only”, what does that mean?
If your projects compliance requirements call for “Checklist Only” , it means that a project team member (typically the architect, but could be the contractor, owner or engineer), must download the applicable rating system checklist (LEED or BIG GPR) and check off items they are, or are willing to, consider incorporating into their project. The “checklist only” requirement is used as an educational tool, for increasing awareness in the building community about green building. You are not required to implement any of the items checked off, excluding construction and demolition debris recycling, but are required to consider them.
GREEN BUILDING FEES
On August 15, 2009 green building fees took effect for projects covered by the City’s Green Building Ordinance. The fees are collected at the time of building permit issuance. The fees are essential to providing review and support for the Green Building Program, which covers review and enforcement of the City’s Green Building, Construction and Demolition Debris, and Energy Efficiency Ordinances. The fees vary by project type and can be viewed by clicking here.
