The city finds that green building design, construction and operation can have a significant positive effect on energy and resource efficiency, waste and pollution generation, and the health and productivity of a building’s occupants over the life of the building. The second purpose is to create healthy work and living environments increasing the productivity of workers and residents and visitors to the city by improving indoor air quality and lighting.
The intent of this section is to help promote the environmental sustainability of natural resources and improvement of the interior environment by efficiently redirecting the use of recyclable materials away from landfills, by introducing recycled-content and materials created with a low embodied energy materials in construction, and by reducing the energy consumption needs of structures by making use of efficient construction methods.
The city also finds that green design and construction decisions made by the city in the construction and remodeling of city buildings can result in significant cost savings to the city over the life of the buildings. The city also recognizes that it must lead by example in order to have the general populace follow suit and therefore commits itself to the practice of green building for all new and remodeling construction on city owned buildings and structures.
(Ord. 2013-11 § 1 (part), 2013: Ord. 2005-29 § 1 (part), 2005).
a. “Addition” means a new building or structure expansion that is physically connected to a previously existing building.
b. “Guidelines” means a living document amended administratively from time to time to allow for program updates. The guidelines contain standards for program compliance.
c. “New construction” means a new building not physically connected to a previously existing building.
d. “Nonhabitable residential structure” means a building on a residential property that is not legally habitable, such as a garage or shed.
e. “Nonresidential” means not meeting the definition of “residential.”
f. “Residential” means single-family or multifamily residences, and all other occupancies.
g. “Remodel” means a change or alteration in a building that does not increase its net square footage.
(Ord. 2013-11 § 1 (part), 2013: Ord. 2005-29 § 1 (part), 2005).
Persons constructing a new building, adding to or remodeling a building in the city of Santa Cruz shall participate in the Santa Cruz green building program. In order to obtain a building permit for any new building, addition or remodel in excess of those exempted in Section 24.15.040, each project must include elements from the program checklist equal to or exceeding the following compliance standards:
Nonresidential New Construction and Addition/Tenant Improvement Compliance Standards
Points Required to Receive Action