All new construction projects in the state of California must comply with CALGreen guidelines beginning on January 1, 2011. CALGreen is a mandatory statewide code that applies to all new residential and non-residential construction projects in the State of California.
CALGreen is an integral part of the California Building Standards Law and is required for landscape architecture projects similar to the State Building and Fire Codes.
Unlike LEED or other green building rating systems, CALGreen is a minimum building standard an NOT a rating system. Your project does not qualify for a plaque or any special recognition if it exceeds the minimum standards.
CALGreen Applies to Landscape Architects
Applies to planning, design, operations, construction, use and occupancy of every newly constructed building or structure in California. Landscape architects must comply with the landscape design and irrigation design standards in the CALGreen building code.
In addition to CALGreen requirements, many cities (e.g. Santa Monica) have their own green building and sustainability amendments to CALGreen and other building requirements. However, you are only responsible for the CALGreen state-wide requirements for the California Supplemental Exam for landscape architects.
Benefits of CALGreen
The state of California claims that CALGreen has many benefits for the construction professions, the public, and the environment.
First, CALGreen’s resource conservation and pollution reduction requirements improves the public health, safety, and general welfare of communities.
Second, the commissioning process and operations manuals promote occupant safety for all building users.
Third, the energy conservation standards cut the carbon footprint of the built environment.
Fourth, CALGreen provides a uniform and consistent program for California and codifies conservation and energy reduction standards across the state (although individual city regulations weaken this argument).
Fifth, CALGreen creates a mainstream design guideline for green buildings that can influence the profession in the state and world-wide.
Fifth, CALGreen generates cost savings though energy efficiency and water conservation strategies.
Sixth, CALGreen delineates Mandatory and Optional Measures, resulting in consistency while simultaneously providing guidance for more ambitious green building projects.
Levels of Green
CALGreen has three levels: mandatory, and tiers I and II. All projects in the state are required to meed the mandatory requirements. The code breaks down the mandatory requirements into residential and non-residential projects. To achieve higher levels of conservation and energy savings, your client can choose to pursue tier I or tier II status. Some cities require meeting one or both of these standards as well.
Final Thoughts
CALGreen is the state of California’s green building code and all new construction projects must comply with the mandatory resource conservation standards. CALGreen is enforceable just like the Building Code and landscape architects must comply to the landscape irrigation requirements. Expect a few questions about CALGreen on the California Supplemental Exam (CSE) for landscape architects.
For More Information:
[California Building Standards Commission] (CBSC)
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John is a landscape architect who is currently preparing to take the California Supplemental Exam to become licensed in California. He is currently a licensed professional landscape architect in Georgia and Florida. John graduated from California State University, Pomona with a BSLA degree in landscape architecture in 1997 and has extensive practice experience in residential and commercial landscape design.