Chapter 15.18
GREEN BUILDING REGULATIONS
Sections:
15.18.010 Purpose and findings.
15.18.030 Standards for compliance.
15.18.050 Maintenance of document.
15.18.060 Method of compliance.
15.18.080 Creation of green building fund.
15.18.010 Purpose and findings.
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 chapter 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 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.
The city additionally finds that water conservation, storm water pollution prevention, and greenhouse gas reductions advance the city’s general plan goals to promote resource conservation, clean and healthy air and water, and overall environmental sustainability. (Ord. 1017 § 4 (Exh. B) (part), 2018)
15.18.020 Definitions.
“Addition” means a structure expansion that is physically connected to a previously existing building.
“Interior remodel” means a change or alteration in only the interior of a building that does not increase its net square footage.
“New construction” means a new building not physically connected to a previously existing building.
“Nonhabitable residential structure” means a building on a residential property that is not legally habitable, such as a garage or shed.
“Nonresidential” means not meeting the definition of “residential.”
“Remodel” means a change or alteration in a building that does not increase its net square footage.
“Residential” means single-family, accessory dwelling units, or multifamily residences. (Ord. 1017 § 4 (Exh. B) (part), 2018)
15.18.030 Standards for compliance.
Persons constructing a new building, adding to or substantially remodeling a building in the city of Capitola shall participate in the Capitola green building program. In order to obtain a building permit for any new building, addition or substantial remodel in excess of those exempted in Section 15.18.040, each project must include elements from the program checklist equal to or exceeding the following:
|
Total Points Possible |
75 |
|
Action |
Points required to receive action: |
|
C-1. Receipt of building permit* |
7 |
|
C-2. Green building award |
40 |
* Exceptions: These points are not required for nonresidential additions and remodels totaling less than one thousand square feet, or interior-only nonresidential remodels of any size.
|
Total Points Available |
460 |
|
|
Action |
Points required to receive action: |
|
|
First 350 square feet |
Each additional 100 square feet or fraction thereof |
|
|
R-N-1. Receipt of building permit |
10 |
1.5 |
|
R-N-2. Green building award |
60 |
3.5 |
|
Total Points Available |
464 |
|
|
Action |
Points required to receive action: |
|
|
First 350 square feet |
Each additional 100 square feet or fraction thereof |
|
|
R-A/R-1. Receipt of building permit* |
5 |
1.1 |
|
R-A/R-2. Green building award |
35 |
2.5 |
* Exception: These points are not required for additions and/or remodels of less than three hundred fifty square feet.
(Ord. 1017 § 4 (Exh. B) (part), 2018)
15.18.040 Exceptions.
The following are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
A. Additions and remodels of less than three hundred fifty square feet of any residential dwelling structure.
B. Additions and remodels of less than one thousand square feet and interior remodels of any nonresidential structure.
C. Equipment and nonstructural modifications of any residential or nonresidential structure.
D. Nonhabitable residential structures of less than one thousand square feet.
E. General maintenance of any structure.
F. Historical structures where the historic fabric would be compromised. (Ord. 1017 § 4 (Exh. B) (part), 2018)
15.18.050 Maintenance of document.
Building and planning staff shall update the green building program documentation and checklist to reflect advances in green building techniques and materials and to make necessary modifications in program implementation on an annual basis. (Ord. 1017 § 4 (Exh. B) (part), 2018)
15.18.060 Method of compliance.
The chief building official and/or the community development director shall maintain the following documents for the public:
• City of Capitola: Standards for Green Building Compliance
• New Home Green Points Check List for Residential Buildings
• New Building Green Points Check List for Non-Residential Buildings
These documents shall be to aid in the design and certification of new residential and nonresidential buildings and significant remodels and additions thereto. Every applicant of a building permit not exempted by Section 15.18.040 (Exceptions) shall complete and submit the appropriate check list for their project as well along with the standard application documents. All compliance measures shall be clearly delineated on plan sets. (Ord. 1017 § 4 (Exh. B) (part), 2018)
15.18.070 Exceptional design.
Designers and builders employing exceptional design, construction practices and/or maintenance features may have their project modified from the strict interpretation of the program if in the opinion of the community development director or building official such features exhibit at least a twenty percent increase in points over the minimum standards for a green building award as outlined in Section 15.18.030 (Standards for compliance). Exceptional designs shall also be recognized by the city and eligible to receive a plaque that may be displayed on the structure. (Ord. 1017 § 4 (Exh. B) (part), 2018)
15.18.080 Creation of green building fund.
Building permits which are required to comply with the green building regulations shall be assessed a fee equal to 0.0025 times the overall valuation of the project. Revenues collected shall be maintained by the finance department as a revolving green building fund and shall be used only for program management, training, publications, public educational purposes, incentive programs, and materials and supplies necessary to promote sustainable development, water conservation, storm water pollution prevention, and climate action planning activities. (Ord. 1017 § 4 (Exh. B) (part), 2018)