Skip to content

Title 16 — BUILDING REGULATIONS

Chapter 3 — GREEN BUILDING

Palo Alto Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-29 · Palo Alto

16.14.080 Section 301 - Voluntary tiers added.

Section 301 of Chapter 3 of the California Green Building Standards Code is amended to read:

SECTION 301 GENERAL

301.1 Scope. Buildings shall be designed to include the green building measures specified as mandatory in the application checklists contained in this code and any applicable local amendments. In addition, the city requires the use of Voluntary Tiers, as provided in Appendices A4 and A5, for certain residential and non-residential new construction, additions, and alterations.

Projects that only trigger mandatory measures are not required to fulfill Tier 1 or Tier 2 measures in Appendix A4 and A5.

To achieve Tier 1 status, a project must comply with measures identified in Appendix A4, Division A4.6, Section A4.601.4 for residential projects and Appendix A5, Division A5.6, Section A5.601.2 for non-residential projects. Projects subject to Tier 1 must fulfill all mandatory measures, all Tier 1 prerequisite measures and a defined number of Tier 1 elective measures.

To achieve Tier 2 status, a project must comply with requirements identified in Appendix A4, Division A4.6, Section A4.601.5 for residential projects and Appendix A5, Division A5.6, Section A5.601.3 for non-residential projects. Projects subject to Tier 2 must fulfill all mandatory measures, all Tier 2 prerequisite measures and a defined number of Tier 2 elective measures.

301.1.1 Residential additions and alterations. [HCD]

The Mandatory provisions of Chapter 4 shall be applied to additions and/or alterations of existing residential buildings where the addition and/or alteration increases the building's conditioned area, volume, or size. The requirements shall apply only to and/or within the specific area of the addition or alteration.

Tier 1 adopted (Residential). All residential building additions and/or alterations exceeding 1,000 square feet must meet CALGreen Mandatory plus the Tier 1 measures, as amended by this chapter and as applicable to the scope of work.

For Tier 1 projects, the area of alterations will include any construction or renovation to an existing structure other than repair or addition. Alterations include raising the plate height, historic restoration, changes or rearrangements of the structural parts or elements, and changes or rearrangement of bearing walls and full height partitions.

Normal maintenance, reroofing, painting or wall papering, floor finishes, replacement in kind of mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, or replacing or adding new kitchen counter and similar furniture, plumbing fixture to the building are excluded for the purposes of establishing scope of Tier 1 projects.

The area of alteration should be limited to the footprint of element(s) being altered.

This does not exclude mandatory CALGreen measures. The sum of the footprint of the elements being altered with respect to Tier 1, shall be

calculated using the following methodology:

  1. Raising the plate height: The calculation with respect to raising of the plate height will be based on the area of the footprint in which the plate height is being increased. Plate height means the vertical distance measured from the top of the finished floor to the top of the plates.

    1. Historic restoration: The calculation with respect to historic restoration will be based on the area of work covered in the California Historical Building Code (Title 24, Part 8).

    2. Structural parts or elements: The calculation with respect to changes or rearrangements of the structural parts or elements will be based on the sum of the individual footprints of each structural change or rearrangement. The footprint shall be calculated based on the proposed design and inclusive of any demolished structural parts or elements.

    3. Bearing walls and full height partition: The calculation with respect to changes or rearrangement of walls and full height partitions will be based on the footprint of any demolished wall or full height partition and any new wall or new full height partition.

Exception: Attached and detached Accessory Dwelling Units, ADU conversions of existing structures shall meet the California Green Building Standards Code Mandatory measures only.

301.1.2 Substantial remodel (50-50-50 rule). Any project that affects the removal or replacement of 50% or more linear length of the existing exterior walls of the building, 50% or more linear length of the existing exterior wall where the plate height is raised, or 50% or more of the existing roof framing area is removed or replaced, over a 3-year period is considered a substantial remodel.

Any permit(s) applied for will trigger a review of a 3-year history of the project. This review will result in determining if a substantial remodel has occurred.

The Chief Building Official or designee shall make the final determination regarding the application if a conflict occurs.

[...]

301.2 Low-rise and high-rise residential buildings. [HCD] The provisions of individual sections of CALGreen may apply to either low-rise residential buildings, high-rise residential buildings, or both. Individual sections will be designated by banners to indicate where the section applies specifically to low-rise only (LR) or high-rise only (HR). When the section applies to both low-rise and high-rise buildings, no banner will be used.

301.2.1 Low-Rise residential new construction - Tier 2 adopted. All new constructed or substantial remodel projects must meet CALGreen Mandatory plus Tier 2 measures, as amended by this chapter and as applicable to the scope of work.

301.3 Non-residential additions and alterations. [BSC-CG]

The provisions of individual sections of Chapter 5 apply to building non-residential additions of 1,000 square feet or greater, and/or building alterations with a permit valuation of $200,000 or above (for occupancies within the authority of California Building Standards Commission). Code sections relevant to additions and alterations shall only apply to the portions of the building being added or altered within the scope of the permitted work.

A code section will be designated by a banner to indicate where the code section only applies to newly constructed buildings [N] or to additions and alterations [A]. When the code section applies to both, no banner will be used.

Tier 1 adopted. Non-residential alterations (including tenant improvements or renovations) of 5,000 square feet that include replacement of at

least two of the following: HVAC system, building envelope, hot water system, or lighting system, must comply with CALGreen Mandatory plus Tier 1 measures, as amended by this chapter and as applicable to the scope of work.

Tier 1 alternative compliance path. Non-residential alterations projects that would otherwise be subject to CALGreen Mandatory plus Tier 1

measures may elect an alternative compliance pathway by achieving LEED® Silver 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 1 CALGreen prerequisite and elective requirements with exception of the following:

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

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

Tier 2 adopted. Non-residential additions of 1,000 square feet or greater must comply with CALGreen Mandatory plus Tier 2 measures, as

amended by this chapter and as applicable to the scope of work.

Tier 2 alternative compliance path. Non-residential additions of 1,000 square feet or greater 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.

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

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
▸Contents — Palo Alto Municipal Code
Palo Alto Municipal Code
  1. Article VIII — A. Board of Education
  2. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  3. Title 2 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
  4. Title 4 — BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
  5. Title 5 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
  6. Title 6 — ANIMALS
  7. Title 8 — TREES AND VEGETATION
  8. Title 9 — PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND SAFETY
  9. Title 10 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
  10. Title 11 — ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PROCEDURE
  11. Title 12 — PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
  12. Title 13 — IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE
  13. Title 15 — FIRE PREVENTION
  14. ▸Title 16 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
    Overview
    1. 16.04 California Building Code, California Code of Regulations…
    2. 16.05 California Mechanical Code, California Code of Regulatio…
    3. 16.08 California Plumbing Code, California Code of Regulations…
    4. 16.09 Sewer Use Ordinance
    5. 16.10 Private Sewage Disposal Systems
    6. 16.11 Stormwater Pollution Prevention
    7. 16.12 Recycled Water
    8. 16.13 Requirements for Food Facilities Related to Water Pollut…
    9. 16.14 California Green Building Standards Code, California Cod…
    10. 16.15 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
    11. 16.17 California Energy Code, California Code of Regulations, …
    12. 16.19 California Historical Building Code, California Code of …
    13. 16.20 Signs
    14. 16.24 Fences
    15. 16.28 Excavations, Grading and Fills
    16. 16.32 Moving and Relocating Buildings
    17. 16.36 House Numbering
    18. 16.38 Certificate of Use and Occupancy for Community Housing
    19. 16.40 Unsafe Buildings
    20. 16.42 Seismic Hazards Identification Program
    21. 16.44 Fallout Shelters
    22. 16.45 Transportation Impact Fee for New Nonresidential Develop…
    23. 16.46 Approval of Projects with Impacts on Traffic in the San …
    24. 16.47 Reserved
    25. 16.48 Reserved
    26. 16.49 Historic Preservation
    27. 16.50 Reserved
    28. 16.52 Flood Hazard Regulations
    29. 16.56 Handicapped Access Regulations - Appeal
    30. 16.57 In-Lieu Parking Fee for New Nonresidential Development i…
    31. 16.58 Development Impact Fees
    32. 16.59 Citywide Transportation Impact Fee
    33. 16.60 Charleston Arastradero Corridor Pedestrian and Bicyclist…
    34. 16.61 Public Art for Private Developments
    35. 16.62 Expired Permits for Residential Construction and Demolit…
    36. 16.63 Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems
    37. 16.64 Development Fee and In-lieu Payment Administration
    38. 16.65 Citywide Affordable Housing Requirements
    39. 16.66 Hauled Liquid Waste
    40. Chapter 16.04 — CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
    41. Chapter 16.05 — CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
    42. Chapter 16.08 — CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
    43. Chapter 16.09 — SEWER USE ORDINANCE
    44. Chapter 16.10 — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
    45. Chapter 16.11 — STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
    46. Part 2 — General Provisions
    47. Part 3 — Development Projects
    48. Part 10 — Copper Controls
    49. Part 3 — Development Projects
    50. Part 4 — Required Best Management Practices for All Dischargers
    51. Part 5 — Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination and Mobil…
    52. Part 6 — Pesticides Toxicity Control
    53. Part 7 — Trash Load Reductions
    54. Part 8 — Mercury Controls
    55. Part 9 — Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Controls
    56. Part 10 — Copper Controls
    57. Chapter 16.12 — RECYCLED WATER
    58. Chapter 16.13 — REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOD FACILITIES RELATED TO WA…
    59. Part 6 — Rooftop Grease Containment System Requirements
    60. Part 11 — Food Facility Closure or Ownership Change
    61. Part 3 — Authority to Inspect and Enforce
    62. Part 4 — Prohibited Discharges, Devices, and Connections
    63. Part 5 — Grease Control Device Requirements
    64. Part 6 — Rooftop Grease Containment System Requirements
    65. Part 7 — Waste Oil Management Requirements
    66. Part 8 — Spill Response Requirements
    67. Part 9 — Best Management Practices for Existing Facilities
    68. Part 10 — Mobile Food Facilities
    69. Part 11 — Food Facility Closure or Ownership Change
    70. Chapter 16.14 — CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE,
    71. Part 1 — General
    72. Chapter 4 — RESIDENTIAL
    73. Chapter 7 — INSTALLER AND SPECIAL
    74. Part 7 — Local Modifications to
    75. Chapter 5 — NONRESIDENTIAL
    76. Part 9 — Local Modifications to
    77. Part 1 — General
    78. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
    79. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
    80. ▸Chapter 3 — GREEN BUILDING
    81. Chapter 4 — RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
    82. Chapter 7 — INSTALLER AND SPECIAL INSPECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
    83. Part 7 — Local Modifications to
    84. Chapter 5 — NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
    85. Part 9 — Local Modifications to
    86. Chapter 16.16 — CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
    87. Chapter 16.17 — CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
    88. Chapter 16.19 — CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE, CALIFORNI…
    89. Chapter 16.20 — SIGNS
    90. Chapter 16.20 — Table 1
    91. Chapter 16.20 — Table 2
    92. Chapter 16.20 — Table 2
    93. Chapter 16.20 — Table 3
    94. Chapter 16.24 — FENCES
    95. Chapter 16.28 — GRADING AND EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL
    96. Chapter 16.32 — MOVING AND RELOCATING BUILDINGS
    97. Chapter 16.36 — HOUSE NUMBERING
    98. Chapter 16.38 — CERTIFICATE OF USE AND OCCUPANCY FOR COMMUNITY
    99. Chapter 16.40 — UNSAFE BUILDINGS
    100. Chapter 16.44 — FALLOUT SHELTERS
    101. Chapter 16.45 — TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE FOR NEW NONRESIDENTIAL
    102. Chapter 16.46 — APPROVAL OF PROJECTS WITH IMPACTS ON TRAFFIC I…
    103. Chapter 16.48 — RESERVED
    104. Chapter 16.49 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
    105. Chapter 16.50 — RESERVED
    106. Chapter 16.52 — FLOOD HAZARD REGULATIONS
    107. Chapter 16.56 — HANDICAPPED ACCESS REGULATIONS - APPEAL
    108. Chapter 16.57 — IN-LIEU PARKING FEE FOR NEW NONRESIDENTIAL DEV…
    109. Chapter 16.58 — DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES
    110. Chapter 16.59 — CITYWIDE TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE
    111. Chapter 16.60 — CHARLESTON ARASTRADERO CORRIDOR PEDESTRIAN
    112. Chapter 16.61 — PUBLIC ART FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS
    113. Chapter 16.62 — EXPIRED PERMITS FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION AND
    114. Chapter 16.63 — SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
    115. Chapter 16.64 — DEVELOPMENT FEE AND IN-LIEU PAYMENT ADMINISTRA…
    116. Chapter 16.66 — HAULED LIQUID WASTE
  15. Title 17 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STORAGE
  16. Title 18 — ZONING
  17. Title 19 — MASTER PLAN
  18. Article 7 — AUTHORITY FOR AND SCOPE OF MASTER OR GENERAL PLANS.
  19. Article 8 — PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION OF MASTER OR GENERAL PLAN.
  20. Chapter 19.06 — SPECIFIC PLANS
  21. Chapter 19.10 — COORDINATED AREA PLANS
  22. Title 20 — PRECISE PLANS
  23. Title 21 — SUBDIVISIONS AND OTHER DIVISIONS OF LAND
  24. Title 22 — PARKS

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.