The City of Sebastopol encourages the use of building design and construction
that results in the conservation of resources, the reduction of toxic pollutants and reduces green house
gas emissions. To achieve this we have instituted a Green Building Program. The goal of this program
is to provide you with information on alternative building design, construction techniques, and materials
that can be easily incorporated into all types of construction projects. The Green Building Program is a
companion to the Solar Sebastopol Program. The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency and Pacific Gas &
Electric have provided information for this program.
Green Building is a comprehensive approach in construction and design practices that consume fewer materials
and energy over the lifetime of the building while comfortably and safely protecting the occupants. The
program guidelines are designed to provide cost effective suggestions to minimize waste, create healthier
and more durable homes, reduce operational costs, and support local manufacturers and suppliers of resource
efficient building materials.
The program is intended for projects that require either a building or use permit issued by the City of
Sebastopol. However, many of the techniques described can be incorporated into projects that do not require
permits. For example, landscaping projects that are usually exempt from permits can incorporate design
environment. The Green Points Audit is found on the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency's website in
the Home and Remodel Green Building booklets. They are available for download in pdf format at the site.
For more information, please contact the City of Sebastopol Building Department at 707-823-8597 or via
email at sbd@sonic.net.
Mandatory Green Building Program
The City of Sebastopol has adopted mandatory sustainable building criteria based on the County of Sonoma
Waste Management Agency - Green Building Guidelines. The program is intended for:
New residential construction
New commercial construction
Commercial remodels 1800 square feet and larger
A total of a minimum 60 overall points in the rating system with 15 points minimum in each of these
categories: Indoor Air Quality, Energy Efficiency, and Resource Efficiency is required to receive a
certification of occupancy. Residential remodels and alterations are not subject to the Mandatory
Requirements. These projects are encouraged to use the Home Remodeling Guidelines.
New Home Construction: Green Building Guidelines.
Multifamily projects can be designed using the Alameda County Waste Management Authority & Source Reduction
And Recycling Board Multifamily
Green Building Guidelines available at www.stopwaste.org.
Mixed-use commercial buildings are reviewed under the New Home guidelines depending on the building
configuration.
Single use commercial buildings should use
LEED or equivalent guidelines.
We recommend a pre-application meeting prior to your submittal
to the Building Department to review your Green Building
documentation.
Projects that require a grading permit will be reviewed at the Engineering Department.
There are a number of mandatory features the City of Sebastopol
requires that still count as points in the Green Building
points audit. They include installing Dual-Flush Toilets
and Flow reduced faucets and showerheads. The current State
Energy Regulations are the baseline for exceeding T-24 Energy
Requirements in the Energy Efficiency category.
The City is developing a comprehensive Land Use/ Energy
Conservation program that may specify other sustainable
building techniques as mandatory requirements. These mandatory
requirements will not affect the green points calculations.
Sebastopol
Resource Conservation Requirements for New Construction and Additions
The Mandatory Green Building Program is about improving
our design and construction practices so that structures
built today will last longer, cost less to operate and provide
a healthier environment. Building Green requires thorough
planning, thoughtful design and quality construction. We
tried to design a program that will be flexible enough to
accommodate technological changes and updated design changes.
We welcome your comments on the viability of the program
and suggestions for improvement.
Green Building Application Process
Process for participating in the GreenPoint Rated program:
1) Builder contracts with the rater to inspect project(s). A list of qualified
raters is avilable on the Build It Green website. Contractual terms and
fee structure is solely between you and the rater to negotiate. Please
be aware that Build It Green charges a small processing fee for each
project submitted for certification. It will generally be in your
interest to have the rater pay the processing fee and handle transactions
with Build It Green on your behalf.
2) Rater submits project planning score sheet to Build It Green. Build It Green
has provided a reporting form and checklist to the rater. The processing
fee should be paid at this time.
3) Rater conducts verification. The rater will generally engage in at least four
of the five following activities during the course of the project design
and construction:
Plan check
Rough inspection
Final inspection
Supporting documentation review
Performance testing
4) Rater compiles documentation, calculates score, and submits final results to
builder and to Build It Green for certification. Build It Green has provided
a reporting form and checklist to the rater.
5) Rater obtains completed certificate(s) from Build It Green. Be sure to specify upfront whether
the rater should provide certificate copies to anyone buy you (e.g. lender, realtor, homeowner,
or pubic agency).
Green Building Registry of Service and Suppliers
Green Building Methods and Materials
Government Listings
Sonoma
County Waste Management Agency | www.recyclenow.org
Green building guidelines for
new home and remodeling are available here
California
Energy Commission | www.energy.ca.gov
Information and links on renewable
energy
California
Energy Star Program | www.energystar.gov
Information on products, home
improvements and new construction
California
Integrated Waste Management Board | www.ciwmb.ca.gov
Database of recycled content
building materials
Green
Building Materials Resource_Guide | www.stopwaste.org
Alameda County Waste Management
Authority
Sacramento
Municipal Utility District - Green Power Web Site | www.mud.org/community-environment.html
Information on renewable energy
sources, conservation and education
State
of California Department of Consumer Affairs Flex Your Power
| www.fypower.org
A coalition of government, non-profit
organizations, public utilities and private businesses that
provides
energy information
U.S.
Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Web Site | www.eere.energy.gov
Gateway to web sites and online
documents on energy efficiency and renewable energy
U.S.
Green Building Council | www.usgbc.org
LEED Green Building Rating System
Useful Web Sites
Architects/Designers/Planners
For Social Responsibility | www.adpsr-norcal.org
ADPSR Green Resource Center
Build
It Green | www.builditgreen.org
BuildingGreen.com
| www.buildinggreen.com
Building
Science Corporation | www.buildingscience.com
California
Home Energy Efficiency Rating System | www.cheers.org
Non-profit organization promoting
energy efficiency
California
Straw Bale Association (CASBA) | www.strawbuilding.org
Development
Center for Appropriate Technology | www.dcat.net
Ecological
Building Network | www.ecobuildnetwork.org
Green
Resource Center | www.greenresourcecenter.org
Green building information and
links to design professionals
Pacific
Gas and Electric | www.pge.com
Information on various energy
programs and rebates
Real
Goods | www.realgoods.com
Sustainable building products
Savings
By Design | www.savingsbydesign.com
Non-residential project energy
efficiency design assistance
The
Building Industry Institute | www.cagreenbuilder.org
California Green Builder Program
