Green Building
CalGreen Requirements
Los Altos was one of the first cities to adopt comprehensive Green Building regulations in December of 2007.
The State's uniform and standardized approach is mandated throughout the State of California. Los Altos is supportive of a statewide approach to green construction and adopted the 2022 California Green Building Standards. This code became effective January 1, 2023 and forms the basis for the green building regulations in the city of Los Altos.
The city of Los Altos Green Building regulations and forms are shown below:
For more information on green building, visit the U.S. Green Building Council, which includes information on LEED certification.
If you have any questions about Green Building or need help determining if your project is subject to the Green Building Ordinance, contact the Building Division at (650) 947-2752.
Reach Codes
On November 29, 2022 the City Council adopted Reach Code Ordinances Ordinance No. 2022-487 that will help the City achieve it’s sustainability goals moving forward. The codes are effective as of January 1, 2023. All projects submitting for a building permit following this effective date will need to comply with these new requirements. The full ordinances can be viewed below for review by the public and members of design community.
Update to 2022 Energy Code and 2022 CA Green Building Standards Code
DOES apply when you:
Construct a new residential, commercial, multi-family, detached ADU or mixed-use building.
DOES NOT apply when you:
Replace appliances or equipment in an existing building (i.e. water heater, furnace, stove)
Remodel or alter an existing building
Add square footage to an existing building
Make exterior alterations to an existing site (i.e. backyard BBQ, fire pit, pool heating)
Residential Checklist
Non-Residential Checklist
Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Diversion
The Development Services Department has deployed the use of Green Halo Systems, an online debris tracking website that has helped contractors to document their diversion of thousands of tons of construction debris from landfill, for recycling or reuse. Construction and demolition (C&D) debris diversion is required for all demolition permits (complete structure and interior non-structural) as well as all building permits with valuations of $25,000 or greater. The website enables contractors to track their project's diversion rate, to ensure compliance with the City's debris diversion requirements outlined in the Green Building section of the municipal code. A minimum diversion rate of 65% is required for covered projects.
