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.
3. 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. Multi-family new construction,rebuilds andRenovations 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 ANDSingle and two-family new construction, rebuilds and additions ≥ 1,250 sf
1. New construction and rebuilds ≥ 1,000 sf, and additions ≥ 1,000 sf that include a new HVAC system ANDtenant 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.
CaliforniaGreenBuilding Code (CALGreen) with Local Amendments
*effective only for those projects for which a building permit is 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.
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.
