120-S. Cal Green Description.pdfATTACHMENT S
2010 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE (,CAL GREEN)
On January 12, 2010, the California Buildings Standards Commission adopted the Green
Building Standards Code (Cal Green) requiring all new buildings in the State of
California to be more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. The Cal Green
code is the nations first mandatory green building standards code.
The new requirements include reducing water consumption by 20 %, diverting 50 % of
construction waste from landfills and installation of low pollutant -emitting materials.
Additionally, separate water meters will be required for non-residential buildings for
indoor and outdoor water use.
Essentially, Cal Green has set the floor of building codes at a higher level to now
incorporate green building practices to aid in the state's efforts to impact climate change
and protect the environment.