Part 7 — Local Modifications to

APPENDIX A4 - RESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

Division A4.1 - PLANNING AND DESIGN

Appendix A4 Preface: Green Building Measures for Project Type and Scope.

A preface is added to Chapter A4 of the California Green Building Standards Code to read:

Preface - Green Building Requirements for Project Type and Scope.

For design and construction of residential projects, the City of Palo Alto requires compliance with the mandatory measures of Chapter 4, in addition to use of Tier 1 and Tier 2 as specified in Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 16.14. See Section 202 for definitions on CALGreen Mandatory, Tier 1 Prerequisites and Electives, and Tier 2 Prerequisites and Electives. All elective measures are adopted as written under Appendix A4 unless otherwise indicated in this Section.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Section A4.104.1 of Appendix A4 of the California Green Building Standards Code is adopted as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 elective measure and is amended to read:

A4.104.1 Supervision and Education by a Special Inspector. Individuals with oversight authority on the project, as defined in Section

members of the builder’s staff and ensure training and written instruction has been provided to all parties associated with the development of the project. Prior to the beginning of the construction activities, the builder shall receive a written guideline and instruction specifying the green goals of the project.

Note: Lack of adequate supervision and dissemination of the project goals can result in negative effects on green building projects. If the theme of green building is not carried through the project, the overall benefit can be substantially reduced by the lack of knowledge and information provided to the various entities involved with the construction of the project.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Section A4.105 of Appendix A4 of the California Green Building Standards Code is not adopted as an elective measure and is amended to read:

Section A4.105.1 Chapter 5.24 of Title 5 of the Municipal Code.See Chapter 5.24 of the Municipal Code for the local deconstruction requirements.

Section A4.105.2 is adopted as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 elective measure.

A4.105.2 Reuse of materials. Nonhazardous materials which can be easily reused include but are not limited to the following:

  1.  Light fixtures

  2.  Plumbing fixtures

  3.  Doors and trim

  4.  Masonry

  5.  Electrical devices

  6.  Appliances

7. Foundations or portions of foundations

Note: Reused material must be installed to comply the appropriate Title 24 provisions.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Sections A4.106.8 – A4.106.8.2.2 of the California Green Building Standards Code are deleted in their entirety, adopted as mandatory measures and are amended to read:

A4.106.8 Electric vehicle (EV) charging for residential structures. Newly constructed single-family and multi-family residential structures, including residential structures constructed as part of a mixed-use development, shall comply with the following requirements for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). All parking space calculations under this section shall be rounded up to the next full space. The requirements stated in this section are in addition to those contained in Section 4.106.4 of the California Green Building Standards Code. In the event of a conflict between this section and Section 4.106.4 of the California Green Building Standards Code, the more robust EV Charging requirements shall prevail.

A4.106.8.1 New single-family, duplex and townhouse dwellings. The following standards apply to newly constructed detached and attached single-family, duplex and townhouse residences.

  (a)  In general. The property owner shall provide one Level 2 electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) or one EV ready space for each

residence (except for accessory dwelling unit (ADU)).

  (b)  Location. The proposed location of a charging station may be internal or external to the dwelling and shall be in close proximity to an on-

site parking space consistent with city regulations.

A4.106.8.2 New multi-family dwellings. In addition to the applicable standards in the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, the following standards apply to newly constructed residences in a multi-family residential structure.

  (a)  Resident parking. The property owner shall provide at least one Level 2 electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) or one Level 2 EV

Ready space for each residential unit in the structure.

  (b)  Location. The EVSE, receptacles, and/or raceway required by this section shall be placed in locations allowing convenient installation of

and access to EVSE. In addition, if parking is deed-restricted to individual residential units, the EVSE or receptacles required by subsection (a) shall be located such that each unit has access to its own EVSE or receptacle. Location of EVSE or receptacles shall be consistent with all city regulations.

A4.106.8.3 New hotels and motels. The following standards apply to newly constructed hotels.

  (a)  In general. The property owner shall comply with Section 4.106.4.2.6 of the California Green Building Standards Code.

  (b)  Location. The EVSE and/or receptacles, required by this section shall be placed in locations allowing convenient installation of and

access to EVSE. Location of EVSE or receptacles shall be consistent with all city guidelines, rules, and regulations.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Section A4.106.9 of Appendix A4 of the California Green Building Standards Code is not adopted as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 elective measure. Projects must comply with the bicycle parking requirements in the Palo Alto Municipal Code.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Section A4.106.10 is added and adopted as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 elective measure for all covered projects and is amended to read:

A4.106.10 Light pollution reduction. Outdoor lighting systems shall be designed and installed to comply with the following:

1. The minimum requirements in the California Energy Code for Lighting Zones 1-4 as defined in Chapter 10 of the California Administrative

Code; and

2.  Backlight, Uplight and Glare (BUG) ratings as defined in IES TM-15-11; and

3.  Allowable BUG ratings not exceeding those shown in TABLE 5.106.8 [N]; or

4. Comply with a local ordinance lawfully enacted pursuant to Section 101.7 of this code, whichever is more stringent.

Projects may use an approved equal reference standard for light fixtures where BUG ratings are unavailable.

Exceptions:

1.  Luminaires that qualify as exceptions to the California Energy Code.

2. Emergency lighting.

3.  One- and two-family dwellings.

Note: The International Dark Sky Association (IDA) and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) have developed a Model Lighting Ordinance (MLO). The MLO was designed to help municipalities develop outdoor lighting standards that reduce glare, light trespass, and skyglow. The model ordinance and user guides for the ordinance may be accessed at the International Dark Sky Association web site.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Division A4.2 - ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Section A4.203.1 of Appendix A4 of the California Green Building Standards Code is not adopted as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 elective measure. Projects shall comply with Chapter 16.17 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (California Energy Code).

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Division A4.3 - WATER EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION

Section A4.304.3 of Appendix A4 of the California Green Building Standards Code is adopted as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 elective measure and is amended to read:

A4.304.3 Irrigation Metering Device. Dedicated irrigation meters from CPAU are to be installed in all new construction and rehabilitated landscapes when the landscape is greater than 1,000 square feet.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Sections A4.305.1, A4.305.2, and A4.305.3 of Appendix A4 of the California Green Building Standards Code are adopted as Tier 1 and Tier 2 elective measures and are amended to read:

A4.305.1 Graywater. Alternative plumbing piping is installed to permit the discharge from the clothes washer and other fixtures (except toilets and kitchen sinks) to be used for an irrigation system in compliance with the California Plumbing Code. In the event that the whole house graywater system is installed in compliance with the California Plumbing Code, then this measure shall count as 3 electives.

A4.305.2 Recycled Water Piping. Based on projected availability, dual water piping is installed for future use of recycled water at the following locations:

  1.  Interior piping for the use of recycled water is installed to serve all water closets, urinals, and floor drains.

  2.  Exterior piping is installed to transport recycled water from the point of connection to the structure. Recycled water systems shall be

designed and installed in accordance with the California Plumbing Code.

A4.305.3 Recycled water for landscape irrigation. Recycled water piping is used for landscape irrigation.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Section A4.305.4 is added as Tier 1 and Tier 2 prerequisite and amended to read:

A4.305.4 Additions and alterations. All multi-family residential additions and alterations must install recycled water infrastructure for irrigation when the landscape area exceeds 1,000 square feet.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Division A4.4 - MATERIAL CONSERVATION AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

Sections A4.403.1 is not adopted as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 elective measure.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Section A4.403.2 of Appendix A4 of the California Green Building Standards Code is adopted as a Mandatory measure for all Tier 1 and Tier 2 projects and is amended to read:

A4.403.2 Low Carbon Concrete Requirements.

A4.403.2.1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide practical standards and requirements for the composition of concrete, as defined herein, that maintains adequate strength and durability for the intended application and at the same time reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with concrete composition. This code includes pathways for compliance with either reduced cement levels or lower emission supplementary cementitious materials.

A4.403.2.2 Definitions. For the application of this section the following definitions shall apply:

Concrete. Concrete is any approved combination of mineral aggregates bound together into a hardened conglomerate in accordance with the requirements of this code.

Environmental product declaration (EPD). EPDs present quantified environmental information on the life cycle of a product to enable comparisons between products fulfilling the same function. EPDs must conform to ISO 14025, and EN 15804 or ISO 21930, and have at least a "cradle to gate" scope (which covers product life cycle from resource extraction to the factory).

Upfront embodied carbon (embodied carbon). The greenhouse gasses emitted in material extraction, transportation and manufacturing of a material corresponding to life cycle stages A1 (extraction and upstream production), A2 (transportation), and A3 (manufacturing). Definition is as noted in ISO 21930 and as defined in V2.3 Product Category Rule for Concrete by NSF dated November 2023. https://d2evkimvhatqav.cloudfront.net/documents/PCR Product Category Rules/PCRConcrete 2023deviation.pdf https://d2evkimvhatqav.cloudfront.net/documents/PCRProductCategoryRules/PCRConcrete2023deviation.pdf?v=1701797590

A4.403.2.3. Compliance. Compliance with the requirements of this chapter shall be demonstrated through any of the compliance options in

Sections A4.403.2.3.2 through A4.403.2.3.5:

Table A4.403.2.3 Cement and Embodied Carbon Limit Pathways

Cement limits Embodied Carbon limits

                                                            for use with any compliance method               for use with any compliance method
                                                    A4.403.2.3.2 to A4.403.2.3.5                   A4.403.2.3.2 to A4.403.2.3.5

Minimum specified compressive strength Maximum ordinary Portland cement content, Maximum embodied carbon kg CO2e/m3, per f’c, psi (1) lbs/yd3 (2) EPD

                                            Cement limits                     Embodied Carbon limits

for use with any compliance method for use with any compliance method A4.403.2.3.2 to A4.403.2.3.5 A4.403.2.3.2 to A4.403.2.3.5

Minimum specified compressive strength Maximum ordinary Portland cement content, Maximum embodied carbon kg CO2e/m3, per f’c, psi (1) lbs/yd3 (2) EPD

           up to 2500                                  362                                    260
              3000                                    410                                    289
              4000                                    456                                    313
              5000                                    503                                    338
              6000                                    531                                    356
              7000                                    594                                    394
         7001 and higher                               657                                    433
       up to 3000 light weight                             512                                    578
         4000 light weight                               571                                    626
         5000 light weight                               629                                    675

Notes (1) For concrete strengths between the stated values, use linear interpretation to determine cement and/or embodied carbon limits. (2) Portland cement of any type per ASTM C150.

A4.403.2.3.1 Allowable Increases.

(1) Cement and Embodied Carbon Limit Allowances. Cement or Embodied Carbon limits shown in Table A4.403.2.3 can be increased by 30%

for concretes demonstrated to the Building Official as requiring high early strength. Such concretes could include, but are not limited to, precast, prestressed concrete; beams and slabs above grade; and shotcrete.

(2)  Approved Cements. The maximum cement content may be increased proportionately above the tabulated value when using an approved

cement, or blended cement, demonstrated by approved EPD to have a plant specific EPD lower than 1,040 kg CO2e/metric ton. The increase in allowable cement content would be (1,040/plant=specific EPD) %.

A4.403.2.3.2 Cement Limit Method - Mix. Cement content of a concrete mix using this method shall not exceed the value shown in the Table

A4.403.2.3. Use of this method is limited to concrete with specified compressive strength not exceeding 5,000 psi.

A4.403.2.3.3 Cement Limit Method - Project. Total cement content shall be based on total cement usage of all concrete mix designs within the

same project. Total cement content for a project shall not exceed the value calculated according to Equation A4.403.2.3.3.

Equation A4.403.2.3.3:

Cem proj < Cem allowed

 where

Cem proj = Cem n v n and Cem allowed = Cem lim v n

 and

n = the total number of concrete mixtures for the project Cem n = the cement content for mixturen, kg/m3 or lb/yd3 Cem lim = the maximum cement content for mixturen per Table A4.403.2.3, kg/m3 or lb/yd3 v n = the volume of mixture n concrete to be placed, yd3 or m3

 Applicant can use yd3 or m3 for calculation, but must keep same units throughout

A4.403.2.3.4. Embodied Carbon Method - Mix. Embodied carbon of a concrete mix, based on an approved environmental product declaration

(EPD), shall not exceed the value given in Table A4.403.2.3.

A4.403.2.3.5. Embodied Carbon Method - Project. Total embodied carbon (EC proj) of all concrete mix designs within the same project shall

not exceed the project limit (EC allowed) determined using Table A4.403.2.3 and Equation A4.403.2.3.5.

Equation A4.403.2.3.5:

EC proj < EC allowed

 where

EC proj = EC n v n and EC allowed = EC lim v n

 and

 n = the total number of concrete mixtures for the project
EC n = the embodied carbon potential for mixture n per mixture EPD, kg/m3
EC lim = the embodied carbon potential limit for mixture n per Table A4.403.2.3, kg/m3
 v n = the volume of mixture n concrete to be placed, yd3 or m3

 Applicant can use yd3 or m3 for calculation, but must keep same units throughout.

A4.403.2.3.6. Enforcement.

As a condition prior to the issuance of every building permit involving placement of concrete, the permit applicant shall be required to submit a completed low carbon concrete compliance form or other acceptable methods that shall be provided by and reviewed for compliance by the building department prior to issuing the permit.

As a condition of such building permits, and prior to approving construction inspections following placement of concrete, the permit applicant shall be required to submit batch certificates and/or EPDs provided by the concrete provider that demonstrate compliance with the low carbon concrete compliance form on file with the building permit. The batch certificates and/or EPDs shall be reviewed for compliance by the building department prior to approving any further inspections.

When deviations from compliance with this section occur, the chief building official or his designee is authorized to require evidence of equivalent carbon reductions from the portions of remaining construction of the project to demonstrate alternative compliance with the intent of this chapter.

For projects involving placement of concrete by, or on behalf of, a public works, parks, or similar department the director of such department, or his/her assignee, shall maintain accurate records of the total volume (in cubic yards) of all concrete placed, as well as the total compliant volume (in cubic yards) of all concrete placed, and shall report this data annually to the governing body in a form expressing an annual compliance percentage derived from the quotient of total compliant concrete volume placed divided by total concrete volume placed.

A4.403.2.3.7. Exemptions.

(a) Hardship or infeasibility exemption. If an applicant for a project subject to this chapter believes that circumstances exist that make it a hardship or infeasible to meet the requirements of this chapter, the applicant may request an exemption as set forth below. In applying for an exemption, the burden is on the applicant to show hardship or infeasibility. The applicant shall identify in writing the specific requirements of the standards for compliance that the project is unable to achieve and the circumstances that make it a hardship or infeasible for the project to comply with this chapter. Circumstances that constitute hardship or infeasibility may include, but are not limited to the following:

(1)  There is a lack of commercially available material necessary to comply with this chapter;

(2) The cost of achieving compliance is disproportionate to the overall cost of the project;

(3)  Compliance with certain requirements would impair the historic integrity of buildings listed on a local, state or federal list or register of

historic structures as regulated by the California Historic Building Code (Title 24, Part 8).

(b)  Granting of exemption. If the chief building official determines that it is a hardship or infeasible for the applicant to fully meet the

requirements of this chapter and that granting the requested exemption will not cause the building to fail to comply with the California Building Standards Code, the chief building official shall determine the maximum feasible threshold of compliance reasonably achievable for the project. In making this determination, the chief building official shall consider whether alternate, practical means of achieving the objectives of this chapter can be satisfied. If an exemption is granted, the applicant shall be required to comply with this chapter in all other respects and shall be required to achieve the threshold of compliance determined to be achievable by the chief building official.

(c)  Denial of exception. If the chief building official determines that it is reasonably possible for the applicant to fully meet the requirements of

this chapter, the request shall be denied and the applicant shall be notified of the decision in writing. The project and compliance documentation shall be modified to comply with the standards for compliance.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Section A4.408.1 of Appendix A4 of the California Green Building Standards Code is adopted as a mandatory measure and is amended to read:

A4.408.1 Enhanced Construction Waste Reduction. Nonhazardous construction and demolition debris generated at the site is diverted to recycle or salvage in compliance with the following:

Projects with a given valuation of $25,000 or more must have at least an 80% reduction. Any mixed recyclables that are sent to mixed-waste

recycling facilities shall include a qualified third party verified facility average diversion rate. Verification of diversion rates shall meet minimum certification eligibility guidelines, acceptable to the local enforcing agency.

 Exceptions:

  1.  Residential stand-alone mechanical, electrical or plumbing permits.

  2.  Commercial stand-alone mechanical, electrical or plumbing permits.

A4.408.1.1 Documentation. Documentation shall be provided to the enforcing agency which demonstrates compliance with all construction and demolition waste reduction requirements.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Division A4.5 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Section A4.504.1 of Appendix A5 of the California Green Building Standards Code is adopted as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 elective measure.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)

Section A4.504.3 of Appendix A5 of the California Green Building Standards Code is not adopted as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 prerequisite. Section A4.504.3 is adopted as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 elective measure.

(Ord. 5678 § 2 (part), 2025)