Los Angeles Municipal Code Div. 12 Appendix A5 Nonresidential Voluntary Measures

(Amended by Ord. No. 182,849, Eff. 1/3/14.)

Section

99.12.101 Scope.

99.12.508

(Amended by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)

Appendix A5 of the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) is adopted by reference with the following exceptions: CALGreen Sections A5.105.1.1, A5.105.1.2, A5.106.4.3, A5.106.6.1, A5.106.11.1, A5.303.2.3.1, A5.303.2.3.2, A5.303.2.3.3, A5.303.2.3.4, A5.406.1, and Tables A5.106.4.3 A5.106.11.2.2, A5.106.11.2.3, A5.406.1, A5.410.3, A5.601, and A5.602 are not adopted; and in lieu, Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 99.12.508 and Subsections A5.105.1.1, A5.105.1.2, A5.106.4.3, A5.106.6, A5.106.6.1, A5.106.11.1, A5.303.2.3.1, A5.303.2.3.2, A5.303.2.3.3, A5.303.2.3.4, A5.406.1, A5.410.3, and Tables A5.106.4.3, A5.106.11.2.2, A5.106.11.2.3, A5.601, and A5.602 are added or amended as provided in this article.

A5.105.1.1. Existing Building Structure. Maintain at least 75 percent of existing building structure (including structural floor and roof decking) and envelope (exterior skin and framing) based on surface area.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Window assemblies and nonstructural roofing material.

2. Hazardous materials that are remediated as a part of the project.

A5.105.1.2. Existing Non-Structural Elements. Reuse existing interior nonstructural elements (interior walls, doors, floor coverings and ceiling systems) in at least 50% of the area of the completed building (including additions).

A5.106.4.3. Changing Rooms. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) Provide changing/shower facilities for tenant-occupants only in accordance with LAMC Table A5.106.4.3 or document arrangements with nearby changing/shower facilities.

Table A5.106.4.3

Note: Additional information on recommended bicycle accommodations may be obtained from Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates.

A5.106.6. Parking Capacity. Design parking capacity to meet but not exceed minimum local zoning requirements.

A5.106.6.1. Reduce Parking Capacity. With the approval of the enforcement authority, employ strategies to reduce on-site parking area by 20%.

1. Use of on street parking or compact spaces, illustrated on the site plan; or

2. Implementation and documentation of programs that encourage occupants to carpool, ride share or use alternate transportation.

Note: Strategies for programs may be obtained from local TMAs.

A5.106.11.1. Hardscape Alternatives [N]. (Added by Ord. No. 187,208, Eff. 11/5/21.) Use one or a combination of strategies below for 75% of site hardscape.

1. Provide shade (mature within 15 years of occupancy);

2. Use light colored materials with an initial solar reflectance value of at least .30 as determined in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards E 1918 or C 1549;

3. Use open-grid pavement system or pervious or permeable pavement system; or

4. Use solar panel arrays to create a canopy shade system.

TABLE A5.106.11.2.2 [BSC] TIER 1

TABLE A5.106.11.2.3 TIER 2

A5.303.2.3.1. Tier 1 - 12 Percent Savings. A schedule of plumbing fixtures and fixture fittings that will reduce the overall use of potable water within the building by 12% shall be provided. The reduction shall be based on the maximum allowable water use per plumbing fixture and fitting as required by the Los Angeles Building Standards Code in Article 1, Chapter IX of the LAMC.

A5.303.2.3.2. Tier 2 - 20 Percent Savings. A schedule of plumbing fixtures and fixture fittings that will reduce the overall use of potable water within the building by 20% shall be provided. A calculation demonstrating a 20% reduction in the building shall be provided. The reduction shall be based on the maximum allowable water use per plumbing fixture and fitting as required by the Los Angeles Municipal Code.

A5.303.2.3.3. 25 Percent Savings. A schedule of plumbing fixtures and fixture fittings that will reduce the overall use of potable water within the building by 25% shall be provided. A calculation demonstrating a 25% reduction in the building "water use baseline" shall be provided. The reduction shall be based on the maximum allowable water use per plumbing fixture and fitting as required by the Los Angeles Municipal Code.

A5.303.2.3.4. Nonpotable Water Systems for Indoor Water Use. Utilizing nonpotable water systems (such as captured rainwater, treated graywater, and recycled water) intended to supply water closets, urinals, and other allowed uses, may be used in the calculations demonstrating the 12%, 20%, or 25% reduction. The nonpotable water system shall comply with the current edition of the Los Angeles Plumbing Code at Article 4, Chapter IX of the LAMC.

A5.406.1. Choice of Materials. Compared to other products in a given product category, choose materials proven to be characterized by one or more of the following for a minimum of 5% of the total value, based on estimated cost of materials on the project.

A5.410.3. Commissioning. For new buildings under 10,000 square feet (929.03 m2) or for additions, building commissioning shall be included in the design and construction processes of the building project to verify that the building systems and components meet the owner's or owner representative's project requirements. Commissioning shall be performed in accordance with this section by trained personnel with experience on projects of comparable size and complexity. Commissioning requirements shall include:

• 1. Owner's or owner representative's project requirements;
• 2. Basis of design;
• 3. Commissioning measures shown in the construction documents;
• 4. Commissioning plan;
• 5. Functional performance testing;
• 6. Documentation and training;
• 7. Commissioning report.

All building operating systems covered by California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 6, as well as process equipment and controls and renewable energy systems shall be included in the scope of the commissioning requirements. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.)

TABLE A5.601 NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS: Green Building Standards Code Proposed Performance Approach

Note: This table is intended only as an aid in illustrating the nonresidential tier structure

(Refer to Checklists A5.602, A5.602.1, and A5.602.2 for CALGreen verification guidelines for Mandatory Checklist, Tier 1 Checklist, and Tier 2 Checklist.)

(Amended by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)

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1. Exception: Allowance may be permitted in Tier 2 for up to 5 percent specialty purpose flooring.

2. Solar water-heating system requirement for newly constructed restaurants as per A5.203.1.1.2.

Exceptions:

a. Buildings with a natural gas service water heater with a minimum of 95 percent thermal efficiency.

b. Buildings where greater than 75 percent of the total roof area has annual solar access that is less than 70 percent. Solar access is the ratio of solar insolation including shade to the solar insolation without shade. Shading from obstructions located on the roof or any other part of the building shall not be included in the determination of annual solar access.

3. Life cycle assessment compliant with Section A5.409.4 in this code may be substituted for prescriptive measures from Division A5.4.

(Amended by Ord. No. 187,719, Eff. 1/23/23.)

Section A5.602 of the 2016 CALGreen Code is adopted with amendments to read as follows:

TABLE A5.602 CALGREEN VERIFICATION GUIDELINES MANDATORY MEASURES CHECKLIST

(Amended by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)

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Application: This checklist shall be used for nonresidential projects that meet one of the following: new construction, building additions of 1,000 square feet or greater, or building alterations with a permit valuation of $200,000 or more pursuant to Section 301.3 AND do not trigger a Tier 1 or Tier 2 requirement:

Y = Yes (section has been selected and/or included)

N/A = Not Applicable (code section does not apply to the project – mainly used for additions and alterations)

O = Other (provide explanation)

[N] = New construction pursuant to Section 301.3

[A] = Additions and/or Alterations pursuant to Section 301.3