County Supervisors hold a hearing on October 7 for a Green Building Program to ensure green building standards for new development projects beginning January 1, 2009. County planning officials seek to incorporate green building principles into the County's development standards for new development projects, both residential and non-residential, in unincorporated areas of the County. In addition, the Green Program will include modifications to existing building and zoning codes.
The proposed ordinance intends to apply Green Building standards (as defined here) for most building permits as of January 1, 2009. In some instances, County inspectors would adhere to LEED standards (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
County departments recommend the creation of a Green Building Task Force to "implement the ordinances by encouraging innovation, removing obstacles to green building, and facilitating the County’s green building objectives. The taskforce should include not only representatives from County departments, but community stakeholders."
As part of the Green Building Program, County officials propose a Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Ordinance and a Low Impact Development Ordinance.
Watch this space for updates on the County's Green Building Task Force and the status of the Green Building Program. Click here for more information on the ordinance and the public hearing.