Planning and Development Department

Land Use Planning Division

[Updated: January 19, 2007]

II.F. GREEN BUILDING REQUIREMENTS

A green building is sited, designed, constructed, and operated to enhance the well being of its occupants
and support a healthy community and natural environment. In 2001, Berkeley City Council adopted the
Green Building Initiative, developed in collaboration with community groups, to help building green
become business as usual for new construction and major remodels in Berkeley:
www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/sustainable/buildings
To meet this goal, the City provides the Berkeleys Best Builders program to assist in the design and
construction of green buildings. This program is implemented by Build It Green, a local non-profit
organization.

Overview

Applicable projects within the City of Berkeley must adhere to the following green building
requirements at the noted phases of the project:
A. Green Building Consultation Required in Planning Phase
Applicants for projects that (1) require a Use Permit or Administrative Use Permit and (2)
involve demolition or construction are required to consult with a green building expert
provided for by the Berkeleys Best Builders Program PRIOR TO submitting the permit
application. There is no charge for this consultation service.
B. Green Building Checklist Required in Planning and Construction Phases
Large Scale Development Projects and new buildings with one or more dwelling unit are
required to complete a Green Building Checklist and update it throughout the project.
C. Energy Conservation Analysis Required in Planning and Construction Phases
Projects with over 10,000 square feet of new non-residential floor area are required to
submit an Energy Conservation Analysis.
D. Conservation Measures Required in Plan Check Phase
a. Residential projects: Any home or apartment building undergoing renovations
valued at $50,000 or more must comply with RECO (Residential Energy
Conservation Ordinance.)
b. Commercial projects: Any commercial building undergoing renovations valued at
$50,000 or more, or that will increase conditioned floor area by more than 10%, must
comply with CECO (Commercial Energy Conservation Ordinance.)

A. Green Building Consultation Required for Use Permit and Administrative Use
Permit Applications
1. Call a Build It Green expert, who will describe the steps and requirements for your specific
project. Schedule a consultation.
2120 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704 Tel: 510.981.7410 TDD: 510.981.6903
E-mail: planning@ci.berkeley.ca.us

Fax: 510.981.7420

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Appointments are available M-F between 8:30AM and 5:00PM.

Phone: (510) 845-0472 ext. 2
E-mail: BestBuilders@BuildItGreen.org
Address: 1434 University Ave, Berkeley
(@ Sacramento, 3 blocks south of N. Berkeley BART)
2. During the consultation, experts at Build It Green will review your plans and provide
information on green building measures that could improve your project. Referrals to
financial incentives, design assistance, and other resources applicable to your project will
also be offered.
3. At the end of this consultation, Build It Green staff will provide a letter indicating that you
have completed the consultation requirement within 2 business days.
4. Include a copy of this letter with your application.

B. Green Building Checklist Required for Large Scale Development projects and new
buildings with one or more dwelling unit
1. Complete a Draft Green Building Checklist using the appropriate Green Building Guidelines
for your project (www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/onlineservice/forms.htm#planning) and include it
with your Use Permit application. Build It Green can provide the checklist for you at the
consultation and assist with its completion.
2. Update the checklist to reflect any changes to the Draft Green Building Checklist prior to the
ZAB (Zoning Administration Board) hearing. The projects green building features and score
will be summarized in the ZAB staff report.
3. Condition of Approval: Complete a Final Green Building Checklist reporting and
commenting on any revisions to the Draft Green Building Checklist prior to issuance of the
Building Permit. The total number of points or credits shown on the checklist at that time
will be considered a project commitment.
4. Update and sign an As-Built Green Building Checklist to reflect final as-built conditions,
including the total green building score, prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.

C. Energy Conservation Analysis Required for projects with at least 10,000 square
feet of New Non-Residential Floor Area
The Energy Conservation Analysis is available at no cost from PG&Es Non-Residential New
Construction program, Savings By Design, www.savingsbydesign.com, or can be provided by a
qualified consultant.
Savings By Design Option
1. Contact PG&E (see Resources below) and complete an application to participate in their
design assistance program. Include a copy of the application with your Use Permit
application.
2. Condition of Approval: Submit a Preliminary Energy Conservation Summary Form prior to
issuance of the Building Permit.
3. Provide a copy of the request sent to PG&E for completion of the Final Energy Conservation
Summary Form prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.
4. Submit the completed Final Energy Conservation Summary Form.

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Consultant Option
1. Hire a qualified consultant to perform the Energy Conservation Analysis. Include a copy of
the consultants proposal to perform the analysis with your Use Permit application.
2. Condition of Approval: Submit a Preliminary Energy Conservation Summary Form prior to
issuance of the Building Permit.
3. Submit the Final Energy Conservation Summary Form prior to issuance of the Certificate of
Occupancy.

D. Conservation Measures Required for projects undergoing renovations valued at

$50,000 or more
RECO (Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance) and CECO (Commercial Energy
Conservation Ordinance) were adopted to improve the energy and water efficiency of existing
buildings in the City of Berkeley. You must comply with identified energy and water
conservation measures until you have reached the expenditure limit for your building. Please
consult the Citys website for details:
1. RECO: www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/sustainable/residents/ResSidebar/RECO.html
2. CECO: www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/sustainable/buildings/ceco.html

FAQs

1) Do I have to implement any particular green building measures?

The City does NOT require that projects meet a specified green building standard, but the
consultation must be completed.
2) Who should attend the green building consultation?
One key member of the project team (architect, owner, builder, representative, etc) is required to
attend the consultation. Other members from the project team are also encouraged to attend.
3) Am I required to consult with Build It Green on every project?
If you have consulted with Build It Green on a previous project of similar scope and have a solid
understanding of applicable green building measures, a brief phone consultation can be arranged. All
projects ARE required to include Build It Greens post-consultation letter with the application and,
when applicable, a Draft Green Building Checklist and proposal for an Energy Conservation
Analysis.
4) What is a Large Scale Development?
Any project in a non-residential district that proposes any of the following: (1) three or more stories,
(2) a Density Bonus under Section 65915 of California State Law, (3) a Floor Area Ratio > 2.00, or
(4) at least 10,000 square feet gross floor area.

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Green Building Resources

City of Berkeley, Office of Energy and Sustainable Development
Phone (510) 981-5436
Bromain@ci.berkeley.ca.us
www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/sustainable/

Build It Green
Phone (510) 845-0472 ext. 2
1434 University Ave, Berkeley (@ Sacramento, 3 blocks south of N. Berkeley BART)
www.BuildItGreen.org
Green Building Guidelines outline energy efficient, resource efficient, and healthy strategies
for residential renovations & new construction
GreenPoint Rated quantifies green building measures for single family and multifamily projects
The Ask an Expert hotline is a free service that provides customized responses to a variety of
green building questions and information on rebates, incentives and other resources
The AccessGreen Directory provides an extensive listing of green building products and
suppliers
Berkeleys Best Builders Program provides no-cost professional assistance to projects
committed to seeking independent green building certification (GreenPoint Rated or LEED)
Workshops and training, Green Home Tours, and networking councils are available for
homeowners, building professionals, product suppliers, and more
Green Building in Alameda County
www.BuildGreenNow.org
$15,000 incentive and design assistance for qualifying LEED Silver Certified or Multifamily
GreenPoint Rated projects
Green building and waste diversion resources for the general public, design & building
professionals, & public agencies
PG&E
www.pge.com
Savings By Design offers no-cost design assistance, analysis and resources to help building
owners and design teams with energy-efficient building design. Incentives up to $150,000 for
owners and $50,000 for design teams are available for projects that meet ambitious energy
efficiency goals.
The California Multifamily New Homes program offers performance or prescriptive options
that can return up to ~$500 per unit.
Rebates, incentives, design assistance, and information are available for single family,
multifamily, commercial, industrial, educational, food service, and other sectors
The PEC (Pacific Energy Center) offers free educational programs, design tools, and advice
USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council)
www.usgbc.org
LEED Rating System for commercial projects
LEED Accreditation training for building professionals
Green building research and resources

[Approved for distribution, DRS,1/22/07]

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