Local Government Green Building Ordinances in California
During 2007 and 2008, an unprecedented number of communities across the state implemented environmentally sensitive, or "green" building requirements in order to increase energy efficiency and decrease greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts within their jurisdictions. In the first half of 2008 alone, nearly a dozen mandatory green building ordinances have taken effect, requiring private developers to utilize and document green building practices used throughout the construction and life of the project. Other California cities, like San Francisco, San Leandro, Santa Rosa, Hayward and Los Altos Hills are currently developing ordinances for enactment in the near future. The experience of these cities has shown that bold, ambitious action to reduce carbon emissions is possible and easier than ever before. The California Attorney General's office has prepared a document that identifies common features of recent green building ordinances and various approaches that cities and counties have taken. Read the document.
[PDF 216 kb / 9 pg]