Green Building in the Bay Area

Green building standards deliver advanced buildings which are healthier, less expensive to maintain, and safeguard our resources. Many local governments have adopted standards in the last five years. This assessment of the region’s city and county green building standards completed in in August 2010 provides a snapshot of the approach taken by cities and counties in the region.

Highlights

Nearly all adopted standards use USGBC's LEED for municipal and commercial standards and Build It Green's GPR for residential standards
44 cities and counties have adopted required new commercial green building standards
51 cities and counties have adopted required new residential green building standards
Numerous municipalities have adopted standards for residential and commercial remodels and improvements
Local approaches to standards typically require higher standards for larger buildings and more flexibility for smaller buildings

Resources

Assessment Findings
Policy Matrix (updated Aug. 2010)
New residential construction standards map
New commercial construction standards map

Partners

Build It Green
RecycleWorks
SF Environment
Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter Cool Cities Campaign
STOPWASTE.org
US Green Building Council N. CA.