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Appendix A4

Section A4.602

California Green Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 11) · 2022 edition · updated 2026-09-12 · California

RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES APPLICATION CHECKLIST—continued

FEATURE OR MEASURE LEVELS
APPLICANT TO SELECT ELECTIVE MEASURES
VERIFICATIONS
ENFORCING AGENCY TO SPECIFY
VERIFICATION METHOD
FEATURE OR MEASURE Mandatory Prerequisites and electives1 Prerequisites and electives1 Enforcing
Agency

All
Installer or
Designer

All
Third
party

All
FEATURE OR MEASURE Mandatory Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 2 Tier 2 Tier 2
Environmental Comfort
4.507.2 Duct systems are sized, designed and equipment is selected
using the following methods:
1. Establish heat loss and heat gain values according to ANSI/
ACCA 2 Manual J-2016 or equivalent.
2. Size duct systems according to ANSI/ACCA 1 Manual D-2016
or equivalent.
3. Select heating and cooling equipment according to ANSI/ACCA
3 Manual S-2014 or equivalent.
Outdoor Air Quality
Reserved
Innovative Concepts and Local Environmental Conditions
A4.509.1 Items in this section are necessary to address innovative
concepts or local environmental conditions.
Item 1
Item 2
Item 3
Installer and Special Inspector Qualifications
Qualifications Qualifications Qualifications Qualifications Qualifications Qualifications Qualifications
702.1 HVAC system installers are trained and certified in the proper
installation of HVAC systems.
702.2 Special inspectors employed by the enforcing agency must be
qualified and able to demonstrate competence in the discipline they
are inspecting.
Verifications
703.1Verification of compliance with this code may include
construction documents, plans, specifications builder or installer
certification, inspection reports or other methods acceptable to the
enforcing agency which show substantial conformance.
  1. Green building measures listed in this table may be mandatory if adopted by a city, county, or city and county as specified in Section 101.7.
  2. Required prerequisite for this Tier.
  3. These measures are currently required elsewhere in statute or in regulation.

APPENDIX A4-28 2022 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.

Division A4.7– RESIDENTIAL MODEL ORDINANCE

A4.701.1 General. The voluntary measures of this code are designed and promulgated to be adopted by reference and made mandatory by local ordinance pursuant to Section 101.7. Jurisdictions wishing to adopt the voluntary provisions of this code as an enforceable regulation governing structures and premises should ensure that certain factual information is included in the adopting ordinance and that the measures are appropriate and achievable and are considered to be suitable

APPENDIX A4—RESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

as mandatory by the city, county, or city and county. The following sample adoption ordinance addresses several key elements of a code adoption ordinance, including the information required for insertion into the code text.

This code does not limit the authority of city, county, or city and county government to make necessary changes to the provisions contained in this code.

SAMPLE RESOLUTION FOR ADOPTION OF THE TIER 1 OR TIER 2 PROVISIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE WITH OR WITHOUT ADDITIONAL ITEMS NECESSARY TO ADDRESS INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS OR LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

ATTACHMENT___.

SAMPLE RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

APPENDICES AS A MANDATORY REFERENCE STANDARD

CITY OF ________________________

RESOLUTION # __________________

RESOLUTION ADOPTING ENHANCED GREEN BUILDING MEASURES FOR NEW AND EXISTING RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION. WHEREAS, the City/County of ______ ‘s (City or County) General Plan sets forth goals for preserving and improving the natural and built environment of the City/County, protecting the health of its residents and visitors, and fostering its economy; and

WHEREAS, green building is a holistic approach to design, construction and demolition that minimizes the building’s impact on the environment, the occupants and the community; and

WHEREAS, green buildings benefit building industry professionals, residents and communities by improving construction quality; increasing building durability; reducing utility, maintenance, water and energy costs; creating healthier homes; and enhancing comfort and livability; and

WHEREAS, the California Green Building Standards Code appendices have included voluntary tiers to provide a city, county, or city and county, building professionals, and the general public with a range of voluntary green building measures for builders to choose from when constructing homes in California; and

WHEREAS, the California Green Building Standards Code appendices benefited from extensive input from a city, county, or city and county, building professionals, State agencies, and recognized green building professionals and the practices contained in these guidelines were selected for their viability in today’s market and their ability to promote sustainable buildings and communities; and

WHEREAS, adoption of the California Green Building Standards Code appendices promotes statewide consistency and predictability for building professionals; and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City/County hereby finds that green building design, construction and operation furthers the goals set forth in the City/County General Plan, including land use, conservation, open space and (include others, if applicable.)

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that newly constructed residential buildings, alterations or additions to residential buildings shall meet the _______ (Tier 1 or Tier 2) measures contained in the California Green Building Standards Code appendices and the green building design, construction and operation innovative concepts or additions or amendment thereto contained in Attachment _____ to address local environmental conditions; and;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council or County Board of Supervisors of the City/County of ___________ adopts the California Green Building Standards Code appendices, as they may be amended from time to time, as a City/County mandatory reference document and directs City/County staff to enforce these green building measures as mandatory standards within the City/ County.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.

APPENDIX A4-30 2022 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.

CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

APPENDIX A5 – NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

DIVISION A5.1 – PLANNING AND DESIGN

(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user.

See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

Adopting agency BSC BSC-
CG
SFM HCD DSA OSHPD BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC
Adopting agency BSC BSC-
CG
SFM 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Adopt entire CA chapter X
Adopt entire chapter as
amended (amended
sections listed below)
Adopt only those sections
that are listed below
Chapter/Section

APPENDIX A5

NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

The measures contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless adopted by a city, county, or city and county as specified in Section 101.7 and provide additional measures that designers, builders and property owners may wish to consider during the planning, design and construction process.

Division A5.1 – PLANNING AND DESIGN

PREFACE

Given that land use and planning are largely regulated locally, cities, counties and cities and counties should consider reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with development through local land-use practices in conjunction with enforcing the provisions of this code. Specific land use strategies a city, county or city and county may wish to consider include but are not limited to the following:

Site selection. Develop sites for buildings, hardscape, roads or parking areas consistent with the local general plan and regional transportation plan pursuant to SB 375 (Stats. 2008, Ch. 728).

Regional sustainable communities strategy. Site selection and building design and use shall conform the project with the prevailing regional sustainable communities strategy or alternative planning strategy, whichever meets the greenhouse gas target established by the California Air Resources Board pursuant to SB375 (Stats. 2008, Ch. 728), including the general location of uses, residential densities and building intensities.

Transit priority projects. To qualify as a transit priority project, the project shall meet three criteria:

(1) (a) contain at least 50 percent residential use, based on total building square footage and, if the project contains between 26 and 50 percent nonresidential uses, a floor area ratio of not less than 0.75; (b) provide a minimum net density of at least 20 dwelling units per acre; and (c) be within one-half mile of a major transit stop or high-quality

transit corridor included in a regional transportation plan as described in Section 21155 of Stats. 2008, Ch. 728;

(2) be consistent with the prevailing sustainable communities strategy or alternative planning strategy, whichever meets the greenhouse gas target established by the California Air Resources Board, including the general location of uses, residential densities and building intensities; and

(3) have all necessary entitlements required by the applicable local government.

Note: For additional information, see Government Code Sections 65080, 65080.1 and 65400 and Public Resources Code Sections 21061.3 and 21155.

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