guideline ii.f green building consultation guidelines

Planning and Development Department Land Use Planning Division [Updated: January 19, 2007]

2120 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704 Tel: 510.981.7410 TDD: 510.981.6903 Fax: 510.981.7420 E-mail: [email protected]

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.

II.F. Guidelines, Green Building Evaluation and Consultation Page 2 of 4

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Appointments are available M-F between 8:30AM and 5:00PM. Phone: (510) 845-0472 ext. 2 E-mail: [email protected] 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.



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.



Green Building Resources

City of Berkeley, Office of Energy and Sustainable Development Phone (510) 981-5436 [email protected] 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

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guideline ii.f green building consultation guidelines

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