Green Building Program
What is Green Building?
Green building is a comprehensive approach to the design, construction, and operation of buildings. Green building practices recognize the relationship between the natural and built environments and seek to minimize the use of energy, water, and other natural resources and create a healthy, productive indoor environment.
New Program Effective January 1, 2013
The City's first Green Building Program took effect January 1, 2013. Voluntary for most types of projects, the goal of the program is to increase awareness of and access to green building resources and encourage the incorporation of green building measures into the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings. Only those applications requesting a legislative action from the City Council must meet a few mandatory requirements, know as CALGreen+. Examples of legislative actions include a Rezone, General Plan Amendment, Specific Plan, and/or Ordinance Amendment.
The Green Building Program was developed between 2010-2012 through a community stakeholder process that included a citizen advisory group known as the Green Ribbon Committee. This committee included representatives from the design, construction, and development communities.
Leading By Example with City Facilities
The City is demonstrating its commitment to sustainability by adopting a Green Building Policy for municipal facilities that requires a higher standard for all new City-owned buildings of 2,000 square feet or greater to achieve the United States Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system Silver certification.
The Green Building Program furthers the goals set forth in the City's General Plan and the Strategic Plan, and supports the California Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan, the Climate Protection goals of AB 32, statewide and regional water management objectives, and regional stormwater quality and waste management efforts.
Covered Projects & Incentives
The Green Building Program is voluntary for most types of projects, including new residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family construction and single-family additions. However, any project that requires a legislative action by the City Council is considered a "covered project" and must meet the CALGreen+ requirements of the Green Building Ordinance. Examples of covered projects are those applications that include a request for a Rezone, General Plan Amendment, Specific Plan and/or Ordinance Amendment.
CALGreen+ requirements are in addition to the mandatory CALGreen standards in the State building code (Title 24, Part 11). The CALGreen+ requirements are:
-65% Construction Waste Reduction, Disposal & Recycling
-40% Landscape Potable Water Use Reduction or Use of Recycled Water
-30% Interior Water Use Reduction
-90% Low Volatile Organic Compound Flooring
-Solar Ready
-Electric Vehicle Ready
City Documents Relating to the Green Building Program
Ordinance 12-13 Green Building Requirements & Incentives
- Goleta Municipal Code Chapter 15.12
Resolution 12-66 Green Building Standards & Incentives for Compliance
Resolution 12-65 Green Building Policy for City Facilities
Incentives
Eligible participants can benefit from various program incentives depending on the type of project:
Expedited Review/Permitting Processes
- Concurrent processing of Land Use Permits and Design Review Board through the Current Planning & Building Divisions
- Priority processing in both the Current Planning & Building Divisions
- Expedited Building Division plan check
Financial Incentives
- 50% rebate on Land Use Permit Fixed Application Fees
Technical & Marketing Assistance
- Participation in Santa Barbara County's free innovative Building Review Program
- City recognition programs
Helpful Links & Resources
City of Goleta Local Energy Efficiency Standards (Reach Code) Goleta Municipal Code Chapter 15.13
Waterwise in Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County Innovative Building Review Program
emPower Santa Barbara County - Energy Coach
GreenPoint Rated Rating System
Green Building Program Brochure
Press Releases
3/15/12 - Workshop on Green Building Program
6/26/12 - Workshop on Green Building Program
9/18/12 - Planning Commission Meeting on Green Building Program
10/1/12 - City Council Meeting on Green Building Program
10/5/12 - LEED Silver Standard Adopted for City-Owned Buildings
10/24/12 - Green Building Program Adoption
Project Manager/Contact
Cindy Moore
Sustainability Coordinator
City of Goleta
(805) 961-7547
cmoore@cityofgoleta.org
Funding Sources
Development of the Green Building Program is funded by California utility customers and administered by Southern California Edison under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.
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