California’s Building Standards Commission has adopted a mandatory Green Building Standard Code (CALGREEN). This is the first mandatory code of its kind in the nation. It requires all new buildings in the state to be more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. The code takes effect on January 1, 2011.
CALGREEN requires that every new building constructed in CA reduce water consumption by 20%, divert 50% of construction waste from landfills, and install low pollutant-emitting materials. It also requires mandatory inspections of HVAC systems for non–residential buildings larger than 10,000 ft2. If a building passes state inspections, the property owner will be able to label the facility as CALGREEN compliant without using third-party certification programs. The provisions of the code will be inspected and verified by local and state building departments. Many of the provisions in the Green Code are already in the statewide building code.
In addition to the mandatory measures, CALGREEN also includes stringent voluntary provisions to encourage local communities to develop their own green building programs.