Green County

This site recommends Adobe Flash Player for maximum viewing experience. <a href="http:/www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash">Get Flash player here</a>

	Home > San Bernardino County Green Building Program Builders are encouraged to go green by participating in San Bernardino County’s Green Building Program. Sustainable building practices reduce environmental impacts during construction and throughout the life of both residential and commercial buildings. Builders can earn a “green building designation” by following any one of these green rating systems: California Green Builder (CGB), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), any County-approved green rating program or the County’s Green Building Basics Checklist. In return, builders will receive accelerated plan review, priority inspections, design assistance and recognition for all qualified projects. To participate, complete the County Application for Green Building Program, provide acceptance documentation if you choose the CGB, LEED or another County approved third-party rating system to your nearest County Land Use Services office. No acceptance documentation is required for the Green Building Basics Checklist. California Green Builder Program Soaring energy costs, persistent drought, and climate change have reshaped how Southern Californians think when it comes to buying new homes. Energy-efficient appliances and landscaping have become amenities of choice for this new class of homebuyer. Developers can make the most of this paradigm shift by embracing green building practices that incorporate the energy and water efficiencies buyers desire. In addition, environmentally-friendly construction minimizes waste and maximizes the use of resources. California Green Builder (CGB) is a voluntary program established to encourage and support green building practices in new residential construction and to meet consumers’ demands for “green” homes. CGB was developed by the California Building Industry Association and the Building Industry Institute to provide a measurable environmentally-friendly and cost-effective green building program for home builders. CGB is the largest residential green builder program in California and is recognized by the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission and the California League of Cities. Under CGB, builders agree to meet or exceed the requirements established in energy efficiency, indoor air quality, on-site waste recycling, and water and wood conservation. California Green Builder Certification County Application for Green Building Program County Green Building Basics Checklist The County Green Building Basics Checklist (GBB) is a green rating program developed by the County’s Building and Safety Division. The program is a great alternative for builders who cannot afford to participate in well-known green building rating systems such as LEED or CGB due to costly registration fees and third-party inspection fees. Participating builders must incorporate green features from a comprehensive checklist into residential or commercial construction. Each green feature is worth a certain amount of points weighted to reflect potential environmental impacts. Builders must achieve a minimum of 85 points to qualify their project as a green building under the San Bernardino County Green Building Program. Builders must submit a completed application for the San Bernardino County Green Building Program along with a completed GBB checklist to the Land Use Services Department. A plans examiner will review the checklist and identify incentives for which the builder may be eligible. A building inspector will verify green features during the normal course of inspections. Green Building Features Description Green Building Basics Checklist County Application for Green Building Program Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Builders can reduce their carbon footprint by incorporating energy-efficient elements into the design and construction of their buildings. In fact, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has developed a tool to help builders with this. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is a third-party certification program that provides builders with a checklist for new construction and or renovation of an existing building. Builders receive points based on the green features incorporated into the project. At least 26 points are required for LEED certification, 33-38 achieves LEED Silver, 39-51 LEED Gold, and 52-69 LEED Platinum - the highest certification possible. Builders can participate in the USGBC’s LEED Green Building Rating System by registering their project with the Green Building Certification Institute. Builders should be aware of various fees associated with LEED projects, including a registration fee, certification fees, and Home Energy Rating System (HERS) third-party inspection fees, all of which vary depending on the size and location of the project. In return, a USGBC representative is assigned to the project to assist builders with LEED requirements, procedures, and timelines. The representative also coordinates with the USGBC and LEED provider for third-party inspections. The third-party inspections usually occur twice during the course of construction. The first inspection occurs after insulation is in place, but before drywall is installed, and the second inspection is the final inspection. Throughout the entire LEED process, builders must document and track all features of the building. Since this is such a critical component in the LEED process, builders often hire a LEED Accredited Professional (AP) to assist with this throughout the project. After the building is certified, the builder will receive a LEED plaque to post on the building. The plaque is the nationally recognized symbol demonstrating that a building is environmentally responsible, profitable, and a healthy place to inhabit. LEED buildings are safer, healthier, more comfortable, and more durable than conventional buildings. The benefits of a LEED building include economic benefits such as lower energy and water bills, environmental benefits like reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and health benefits such as reduced exposure to mold, mildew, and other indoor toxins. Even better, research indicates that consumers are willing to spend more money on green buildings compared to traditional buildings. County Application for Green Building Program