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By Doug Hensel

Soon, homes, schools and commercial buildings throughout California will be some of the greenest in the world. In January, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) drafted new residential building standards that will lead the nation in environmentally friendly building codes. The code, dubbed CALGreen, will take effect in January 2011 and will bring sweeping changes to new construction throughout the state. 

HCD developed the residential green building standards in a collaborative effort with other state agencies having responsibility for occupancies other than housing.  These agencies included the California Building Standards Commission for commercial occupancies, the Division of the State Architect for schools, and the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development for hospitals and clinics. 

The collaboration has led to  a single code that covers all occupancies. Development of the 2008 California Green Building Code (CGBC) included review and analysis of existing green building practices, and input from various stakeholders including other governmental agencies, environmental and green building interests, the building industry, academia, the general public and other interested parties. Through this review HCD staff developed a code for new low-rise residential construction.

CALGreen will require, among other things, that builders install plumbing that cuts indoor water use by 20 percent; Sediment and runoff protection for construction sites; the use of low-pollutant paints, carpets and floorings and at least a 50 percent reduction in waste stream through reuse or recycling.

With this first-in-the nation mandatory green building standards code, California continues to pave the way in energy efficiency and environmental protection.
"The new green building standards code will improve public health, safety and welfare by enhancing the design and construction of buildings throughout the state,” said HCD Director Lynn L. Jacobs. “The Administration recognizes the importance of statewide building standards that ensure sustainability by reducing water use, improving air quality, conserving energy and mitigating the effects of global climate change.”

Originally adopted in July 2008, just one year after Governor Schwarzenegger directed state agencies to develop green building standards as a mandatory part of the building code by 2010, the voluntary code became effective in August 2009, leaving mandatory use of the code – or parts of it – up to local jurisdictions. The 2010 CGBC, or CalGreen code, includes mandatory measures which must be enforced throughout the state as well as voluntary tier-based measures, which are available for adoption by local agencies wishing to exceed the mandatory measures.

 “Once again, California is leading the way towards a more sustainable future.  This new code provides cost-effective building standards that will be beneficial to every home throughout the state,” Director Jacobs said.

Our staff is currently developing a series of support documents to provide code users with training opportunities and implementation aids, including  a core training module which will provide code users with a general overview of HCD programs and authority. 

In June, the Department will release a companion module for CALGreen which will include additional compliance and enforcement aids for builders, designers, enforcers and homeowners.  Also under development is a water reuse module and is working to expand training opportunities by partnering with other organizations to provide training sessions throughout the state.

HCD is a department within the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.  In addition to building code promulgation it has many responsibilities mandated by state law to meet California’s housing needs. In regard to construction standards for the various forms of housing, the Division of Codes and Standards performs the regulatory adoption work, administering seven programs mandated by state law with the State Housing Law (SHL) program performing the regulatory work for housing construction including green building.

HCD has developed code requirements which will be considered “green” for years. Examples include, water conservation measures, interior noise limits and ventilation standards for use with passive solar collectors.  The Department plans to continue in this direction, raising the bar for construction standards related to housing and advancing CALGreen.

Doug Hensel is assistant deputy director for the California Department of Housing and Community Development

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