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 and phase. Click on the project type below to download the associated green building application.  The City ordinances supporting these applications and the Green Building Program can be downloaded on the History and Ordinances Website.

• Planning Entitlement Requirements
• Building Permit Requirements - Residential
• Building Permit Requirements - Non-Residential
• Existing Building and Site Performance Reviews 

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PLANNING ENTITLEMENT REQUIREMENTS Project Type Standard Compliance Level Compliance Resources 1. All projects with parcel size ≥ ¼ acre (except single family homes unless part of a planned community) and/or projects that include three or more dwelling units. LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) During planning review show how all of the pre-requisites, and 30 points in the Smart Location and Linkage (SLL) and Neighborhood Pattern and Design (NPD) sections of LEED-ND could be met. Projects retaining and rehabilitating an existing historic building(s) shall receive a 5 point credit towards the minimum 30 points required. 1. LEED-ND Palo Alto Revised Checklist, Instructions and Sample 2. LEED-ND Rating System  BUILDING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS - RESIDENTIAL Project Type Standard Compliance Resources 1. Multi-family new construction,  rebuilds and renovations or alterations  ≥ 50% of the existing units sf, that that includes replacement or alteration of at least two of the following: HVAC, envelope, hot water system or lighting system. Single and two-family new construction, rebuilds and additions ≥ 1,250 sf. Build It Green, GreenPoint Rated (GPR)   Green Building Application for Download 2. Any project not covered above that are ≥ $100,000, or physical site changes that require major or minor Architectural Review. See application for details. Green Building Application for Download   3. Demolitions, and projects not covered above that are between $25,000 - $99,999 in valuation. See application for details. Green Building Application for Download   BUILDING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS - NONRESIDENTIAL   Project Type Standard Compliance Resources 1. New construction and rebuilds ≥ 1,000 sf, and additions ≥ 1,000 sf that include a new HVAC system AND tenant improvements, renovations, or alterations > 5,000 SF that include replacement or alteration of at least two of the following: HVAC system, building envelope, hot water system, or lighting system. California Green Building Code (CALGreen) with Local Amendments Green Building Application for Download 2. Any project not covered above > $100,000 valuation, or physical site changes that require major or minor Architectural Review. See application for details. Green Building Application for Download  3. Demolitions, and projects not covered above that are between $25,000 - $99,000 in valuation. See application for details. Green Building Application for Download   EXISTING BUILDING AND SITE PERFORMANCE REVIEWS Project Type Performance Measure             Scope Residential and Nonresidential Projects Operational Energy Performance Existing Buildings over 10,000 SF. Effective only for those projects for which a building permit was issued after 01/01/2009. The City reserves the right to conduct a performance review , no more frequently than once every five years unless a project fails review,  to evaluate the building’s energy use to ensure that resources used at the building and/or site do not exceed the maximum allowance set forth in the rehabilitation or new construction design. Energy use reviews may be initiated by the Building Division or as a coordinated effort between the City’s Utilities Department and/or its designated contractors.  Following the findings and recommendations of the review, the City may require adjustments to the energy usage or energy-using equipment or systems if the building is no longer compliant with the original design. Renovation or rehabilitation resulting from such audit activity shall be considered a project, and shall be subject to applicable documentation submittal requirements of the City. Residential and Nonresidential Projects Operational Water Performance Landscapes greater than one acre.  The City reserves the right to conduct performance reviews, no more frequently than once every five years unless a project fails review,  to evaluate water use to ensure that resources used at the building and/or site do not exceed a maximum allowance set forth in the rehabilitation or new construction design.  Water use reviews may be initiated by the Building Division, or as a coordinated effort between the City’s Utilities Department and the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD), or as part of SCVWD’s established water conservation programs.  Following the findings and recommendations of the review, the City may require adjustments to irrigation usage, irrigation hardware, and/or landscape materials to reduce consumption and improve efficiency.  Renovation or rehabilitation resulting from such audit activity shall be considered a project, and shall be subject to applicable documentation submittal requirements of the City.