Palo Alto Municipal Code § 301.3 Local Modifications to CHAPTER 3 - GREEN BUILDING

301.3.3 Non-residential new construction - Tier 2 adopted. All new non-residential construction must meet CALGreen Mandatory plus Tier 2 measures (including initial occupancy tenant improvements), as amended by this chapter and as applicable to the scope of work.

Tier 2 alternative compliance path. All new non-residential construction that would otherwise be subject to CALGreen Mandatory plus Tier 2 measures may elect an alternative compliance pathway by achieving LEED® Gold certification or higher from the U.S. Green Building Council. The Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI™) shall serve as the independent third party certification body responsible for reviewing project documentation, conducting compliance verification, and issuing official LEED® certification. Projects electing this pathway are exempt from all individual Tier 2 CALGreen prerequisite and elective requirements with exception of the following:

PAMC 16.14.430 Section A5.408 Construction Waste Reduction, Disposal and Recycling.

PAMC 16.14.400 Section A5.106.5.3 Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging for New Construction.

Projects must maintain compliance with all applicable base CALGreen mandatory measures and building code requirements.

301.6 Special inspector requirements. Residential and non-residential project owners subject to CALGreen Mandatory, CALGreen Mandatory plus Tier 1, or CALGreen Mandatory plus Tier 2 measures shall contract a city-approved Green Special Inspector (GBSI) in accordance with Section 702.2 of CALGreen, as amended.

A city-approved GBSI is required to verify compliance with CALGreen mandatory measures when the project elects to use the alternative LEED compliance pathway per Section 301.3 and 301.3.3 of this chapter. A LEED Accredited Professional with applicable specialty (LEED AP) shall certify that the project has been designed to meet the requirements for LEED Silver or LEED Gold certification, as applicable. The LEED AP shall provide two letters to certify the alternative compliance pathway:

1. At building permit application – A letter confirming that said project has been registered with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is anticipated to achieve the required number of points for the specified certification level.

2. Prior to any approved occupancy - A letter based on the actual construction confirming that the project has been built in accordance with the approved plans and is expected to be eligible for certification at the approved LEED level. This letter must also state whether, and when, the final submittal certification documents will be submitted to the USGBC.

Provide proof of LEED Silver/Gold Certification to the Building Department within two years of initial occupancy as part of the project record.

301.7 Low-carbon concrete requirements for Tier 1 and Tier 2 projects. Plain and reinforced concrete installed as part of any project subject to the application of this code shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of PAMC 16.14.240.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)