CALGreen · California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)

What are MWELO, ETAF, and 'Special Landscape Area (SLA)' in CALGreen terms?

CALGreen directs designers to follow California’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). For public school and community‑college landscaping, the code fixes the evapotranspiration adjustment factor (ETAF) at 0.65 and allows an additional 0.35 water allowance for areas the code calls Special Landscape Areas (SLAs) such as edible gardens, educational plantings, recycled‑water irrigated zones, and turf playing surfaces; these values feed into the MWELO water‑budget calculator for compliance (see § 5.304.6 and Chapter 2 definitions).

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

What the code requires — 2–4 sentences

California’s CALGreen requires landscape projects to comply with the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) (or a local ordinance at least as stringent) for outdoor potable‑water use—residential and nonresidential alike (see § 4.304.1 and § 5.304.1). For public schools and community colleges CALGreen mandates MWELO applicability and prescribes an Evapotranspiration Adjustment Factor (ETAF) = 0.65 with an additional water allowance for Special Landscape Areas (SLA) = 0.35 (see § 5.304.6). The defined terms MWELO, ETAF, and SLA are located in the code’s definitions (Chapter 2 / Definitions — see § 202 and cross references) and in Division 5 definitions.

For public school and community‑college landscape projects, follow the state MWELO and use an ETAF of 0.65, and allow an extra 0.35 for areas the code calls Special Landscape Areas (SLA) — together they set how much applied water the landscape budget can assume.

Requirements in detail

What is MWELO?

  • MWELO = Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance — the California Department of Water Resources regulation that sets the water‑budget approach, prescriptive measures, and documentation requirements for new and rehabilitated landscapes. CALGreen requires compliance with MWELO or a local ordinance at least as stringent for outdoor potable water use. See § 5.304.1 and the MWELO location in CCR Title 23 (Section 490).

What is ETAF?

  • ETAF = Evapotranspiration Adjustment Factor. It is an adjustment factor applied to reference evapotranspiration (ETo) to account for plant factors and irrigation efficiency when calculating applied water in the water‑budget method. For public school/community college projects CALGreen sets ETAF = 0.65 (i.e., the factor to multiply against ETo in the MWELO water budget calculation). See § 5.304.6 and the definition entry.

What is a Special Landscape Area (SLA)?

  • SLA (Special Landscape Area) is defined in CALGreen as landscape areas that are: dedicated solely to edible plants, planting areas used for educational purposes, recreational areas, areas irrigated with recycled water, water features using recycled water, or where turf provides a playing surface or gathering space. CALGreen allows an additional water allowance of 0.35 for SLA in the public school/community college MWELO application (see § 5.304.6 and the SLA definition).

Quick reference table (decision‑relevant values)

Decision item Value / threshold Code reference
MWELO applicability (nonresidential) Must comply with local ordinance or MWELO § 5.304.1
MWELO applicability (residential) Must comply with local ordinance or MWELO § 4.304.1
Public schools / community colleges: ETAF 0.65 § 5.304.6
Public schools / community colleges: SLA additional allowance 0.35 (additional) § 5.304.6
Small project exception (prescriptive option) Aggregate landscape area ≤ 2,500 sq ft may use Appendix D of MWELO § 5.304.6 (Exception)
Newly constructed landscapes (trigger) Aggregate landscape area ≥ 500 sq ft (public schools/community colleges) § 5.304.6.1
Rehabilitated landscapes (trigger) Aggregate landscape area ≥ 1,200 sq ft (public schools/community colleges) § 5.304.6.2
ETAF definition location Definitions (Chapter 2 / Section 202 / Section 5.302.1 references) § 5.302.1 and Chapter 2 listing (see § 202)

Exceptions & special cases

  • The CALGreen text explicitly applies the ETAF = 0.65 and SLA allowance = 0.35 to public schools and community colleges for landscape projects meeting the area triggers in § 5.304.6.1 and § 5.304.6.2. Do not assume the same numeric ETAF/SLA adjustment applies to other project types unless a jurisdiction adopts it.
  • Small projects (aggregate landscape area ≤ 2,500 sq ft) may use the MWELO’s prescriptive Appendix D instead of the full water‑budget method; this is an explicit exception in § 5.304.6.
  • For nonresidential projects outside public schools/community colleges, CALGreen requires compliance with MWELO or an equivalent local ordinance: check the local ordinance (CALGreen points to MWELO in CCR Title 23, Section 490). Local ordinances may set different ETAF values or SLA treatments.

Common mistakes

  • Treating SLA as “areas allowed unlimited water.” SLA only receives a defined additional allowance in the specific CALGreen public‑school provision; it is not carte blanche for unlimited irrigation. See § 5.304.6 and the SLA definition.
  • Applying the 0.65 ETAF universally to every project type without checking whether your project is a public school/community college or whether the local MWELO/local ordinance prescribes a different ETAF. CALGreen sets this value specifically in § 5.304.6 for those education projects.
  • Forgetting to include areas irrigated with recycled water or edible/educational planting areas when identifying SLAs; these are explicitly called out in the SLA definition and must be designated if present.
  • Not confirming whether a local water‑efficient landscape ordinance has been adopted that is more stringent than state MWELO (CALGreen requires compliance with the more stringent of the two). See § 5.304.1 and § 4.304.1.

Worked example — public school landscape water‑budget (illustrative)

Note: MWELO contains the actual water‑budget calculator and methodology; CALGreen sets the ETAF and SLA allowance values for public schools/community colleges. Use the MWELO calculator for formal compliance calculations. This example shows how CALGreen’s numeric allowances are applied conceptually.

Scenario: A new public school landscape project has 10,000 sq ft aggregate landscape area. Of that, 1,000 sq ft is turf used as a playing surface (an SLA), 500 sq ft is an edible garden (SLA), and the remaining 8,500 sq ft are low‑water plantings (non‑SLA).

How CALGreen’s allowances would be applied:

  • CALGreen prescribes ETAF = 0.65 to be used in the MWELO water‑budget calculations for the project overall, per § 5.304.6.
  • For the SLA areas (turf + edible garden = 1,500 sq ft), CALGreen allows an additional water allowance = 0.35. Practically this is handled in the MWELO water‑budget method (the SLAs are assigned an additional factor in the calculator or budget worksheet). The combined allowance for SLA portions effectively increases the factor applied to ETo for those areas (the code text states the 0.35 additional allowance in § 5.304.6; use the MWELO water‑budget calculator for the exact per‑zone applied‑water computation).

Important: Do not treat this example as the formal budget calculation — the MWELO water‑budget calculator (Title 23 CCR Section 490 and MWELO guidance) performs per‑plant‑factor and irrigation‑efficiency math that produces the numeric applied‑water allowance in gallons/year. CALGreen sets the ETAF and SLA allowances that feed into that calculator.

Related provisions (CALGreen sections)

  • § 5.304.1 — Outdoor potable water use in landscape areas (nonresidential MWELO requirement).
  • § 5.304.6 — Outdoor potable water use for public schools and community colleges; specifies ETAF = 0.65 and SLA allowance = 0.35, plus area thresholds and small‑project exception.
  • § 5.304.6.1 — Newly constructed landscapes (trigger threshold ≥ 500 sq ft for public schools/community colleges).
  • § 5.304.6.2 — Rehabilitated landscapes (trigger threshold ≥ 1,200 sq ft for public schools/community colleges).
  • § 5.302.1 — Cross‑reference that the listed water definitions are defined in Chapter 2 (see Chapter 2 / § 202).
  • § 4.304.1 — Residential outdoor potable water use must comply with MWELO or a local ordinance.
  • Chapter 2 / § 202 (Definitions) — where the code’s defined terms (including ETAF, MWELO, SLA) are enumerated in the code’s definitions chapter (TOC and definitions excerpts). If you need the verbatim § 202 text, note that the table of contents references § 202 (Definitions).

Note: MWELO itself (California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Chapter 2.7, commencing at Section 490) contains the detailed water‑budget methodology and the compliance forms and calculator CALGreen points you to; for numeric budget calculations use the MWELO resources.

Code references

Grounded in the retrieved California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

  • CALGreen § 5.304.6 High relevance — show source text

    5.304.6 Outdoor potable water use in landscape areas. For public schools and community colleges, landscape projects as described in Sections 5.304.6.1 and 5.304.6.2 shall comply with the California Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) commencing with Section 490 of Chapter 2.7, Division 2, Title 23, California Code of Regulations, except that the evapotranspiration adjustment factor (ETAF) shall be 0.65 with an additional water allowance for special landscape areas (SLA) of 0.35.

    Exception: Any project with an aggregate landscape area of 2,500 square feet or less may comply with the prescriptive measures contained in Appendix D of the MWELO.

    5.304.6.1 Newly constructed landscapes. New construction projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 500 square feet.

    5.304.6.2 Rehabilitated landscapes. Rehabilitated landscape projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 1,200 square feet.

    SECTION 5.305—WATER REUSE SYSTEMS (RESERVED)

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    CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

    CHAPTER 5 – NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES

    DIVISION 5.4 – MATERIAL CONSERVATION AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

    (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 Col6 Col7 DSA Col9 OSHPD Col11 Col12 Col13 Col14 Col15 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    		 X
    Chapter/Section
    5.401.1 X
    5.402.1 Definitions X
    5.407 and subsections X
    5.408.1 and subsections X
    5.409 and subsections X
    5.410.1 X
    5.410.1.
  • CALGreen § 301.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    301.1||||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.302.1 Definitions||||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.303.3.1||||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.303.3.2||||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.303.3.3||||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.303.3.4||||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.303.6||||||||X||||||||||||||| |5.304.6 and subsections||†||||||X|||||||||||||||

    The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: †.

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    5 NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES

    DIVISION 5.3 – WATER EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION

    SECTION 5.301—GENERAL

    5.301.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall establish the means of conserving water used indoors, outdoors and in wastewater conveyance.

    SECTION 5.302—DEFINITIONS

    5.302.1 Definitions. The following terms are defined in Chapter 2. EVAPOTRANSPIRATION ADJUSTMENT FACTOR (ETAF).

    GRAYWATER.

    METERING FAUCET.

    MODEL WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE (MWELO).

    POTABLE WATER.

    SPECIAL LANDSCAPE AREA (SLA). [DSA-SS]

    SUBMETER.

    SECTION 5.303—INDOOR WATER USE

    5.303.1 Meters. Separate submeters or metering devices shall be installed for the uses described in Sections 5.303.1.1 and 5.303.1.2. 5.303.1.1 New buildings or additions in excess of 50,000 square feet. Separate submeters shall be installed as follows:

    1. For each individual leased, rented or other tenant space within the building projected to consume more than 100 gal/day (380 L/day), including, but not limited to, spaces used for laundry or cleaners, restaurant or food service, medical or dental office, laboratory, or beauty salon or barber shop.
    2. Where separate submeters for individual building tenants are unfeasible, for water supplied to the following subsystems: a. Makeup water for cooling towers where flow through is greater than 500 gpm (30 L/s). b. Makeup water for evaporative coolers greater than 6 gpm (0.04 L/s). c. Steam and hot-water boilers with energy input more than 500,000 Btu/h (147 kW). 5.303.1.2 Excess consumption. A separate submeter or metering device shall be provided for any tenant within a new building or within an addition that is projected to consume more than 1,000 gal/day.

    5.303.2 Reserved.

  • CALGreen § 5.303.5 Medium relevance — show source text

    Note: This code section does not affect local jurisdiction authority to prohibit or require disposer installation.

    5.303.5 Areas of addition or alteration. For those occupancies within the authority of the California Building Standards Commission as specified in Section 103, the provisions of Sections 5.303.3 and 5.303.4 shall apply to new fixtures in additions or areas of alteration to the building.

    5.303.6 Standards for plumbing fixtures and fittings. Plumbing fixtures and fittings shall be installed in accordance with the Cali- fornia Plumbing Code, and shall meet the applicable standards referenced in Table 1701.1 of the California Plumbing Code and in Chapter 6 of this code.

    SECTION 5.304—OUTDOOR WATER USE

    5.304.1 Outdoor potable water use in landscape areas. Nonresidential developments shall comply with a local water efficient landscape ordinance or the current California Department of Water Resources’ Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), whichever is more stringent.

    Notes:

    1. The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) is located in the California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Chapter 2.7, Division 2.

    2. MWELO and supporting documents, including a water budget calculator, are available at: https://www.water.ca.gov/.

    5.304.2 Reserved.

    5.304.3 Reserved.

    5.304.4 Reserved.

    5.304.5 Reserved.

    5.304.6 Outdoor potable water use in landscape areas. For public schools and community colleges, landscape projects as described in Sections 5.304.6.1 and 5.304.6.2 shall comply with the California Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) commencing with Section 490 of Chapter 2.7, Division 2, Title 23, California Code of Regulations, except that the evapotranspiration adjustment factor (ETAF) shall be 0.65 with an additional water allowance for special landscape areas (SLA) of 0.35.

    Exception: Any project with an aggregate landscape area of 2,500 square feet or less may comply with the prescriptive measures contained in Appendix D of the MWELO.

    5.304.6.1 Newly constructed landscapes. New construction projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 500 square feet.

    5.304.6.2 Rehabilitated landscapes. Rehabilitated landscape projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 1,200 square feet.

    SECTION 5.305—WATER REUSE SYSTEMS (RESERVED)

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    CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

    CHAPTER 5 – NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES

    DIVISION 5.4 – MATERIAL CONSERVATION AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

    (Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

  • CALGreen § 40195.1. Medium relevance — show source text

    SOLID WASTE.

    (a) All putrescible and nonputrescible solid, semisolid and liquid wastes, including garbage, trash, refuse, paper, rubbish, ashes, industrial wastes, demolition and construction wastes, abandoned vehicles and parts thereof, discarded home and industrial appliances, dewatered, treated or chemically fixed sewage sludge which is not hazardous waste, manure, vegetable or animal solid and semisolid wastes, and other discarded solid and semisolid wastes. (b) “Solid waste” does not include any of the following wastes: (1) Hazardous waste, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 40141. (2) Radioactive waste regulated pursuant to the Radiation Control Law (Chapter 8, commencing with Section 114960, of Part 9 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code ). (3) Medical waste regulated pursuant to the Medical Waste Management Act (Part 14 commencing with Section 117600) of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code ). Untreated medical waste shall not be disposed of in a solid waste landfill, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 40195.1. Medical waste that has been treated and deemed to be solid waste shall be regulated pursuant to this division.

    SPECIAL LANDSCAPE AREA (SLA). [DSA-SS] An area of the landscape dedicated solely to edible plants, planting areas used for educational purposes, recreational areas, areas irrigated with recycled water, water features using recycled water, and where turf provides a playing surface or gathering space.

    STANDARD DISHWASHER. A dishwasher that has a capacity equal to or greater than eight place settings plus six serving pieces as specified in ANSI/AHAM DW-1.

    SUBMETER. [HCD 1] A secondary device beyond a meter that measures water consumption of an individual rental unit within a multiunit residential structure or mixed-use residential and commercial structure. (See Civil Code Section 1954.202(g) and Water Code Section 517 for additional details.)

    SUPERMARKET. For the purposes of Section 5.508.2, a supermarket is any retail food facility with 8,000 square feet or more conditioned area, and that utilizes either refrigerated display cases, or walk-in coolers or freezers connected to remote compressor units or condensing units.

    TENANT-OCCUPANTS. Building occupants who inhabit a building during its normal hours of operation as permanent occupants, such as employees, as distinguished from customers and other transient visitors.

    TEST. A procedure to determine quantitative performance of a system or equipment.

    THERMAL EMITTANCE. The relative ability of a surface to radiate absorbed heat (measured on a scale of 0 to 1).

    TYPE III ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATION (EPD). [BSC-CG, DSA-SS] A third-party verified report that summarizes how a product impacts the environment. Type III EPDs can be either product-specific, factory-specific, or industry-wide EPDs. See “Cradle-to-Gate.”

    FACTORY-SPECIFIC EPD. [BSC-CG, DSA-SS ] A product-specific Type III EPD in which the environmental impacts can be attributed to a single manufacturer and manufacturing facility.

    INDUSTRY-WIDE EPD (IW-EPD). [BSC-CG, DSA-SS] A Type III EPD in which the environmental impacts are an average of the typical manufacturing impacts for a range of products within the same product category for a group of manufacturers.

  • CALGreen § 1.5 Medium relevance — show source text

    LIFE CYCLE INVENTORY (LCI). A process of quantifying energy and raw material requirements, atmospheric emissions, waterborne emissions, solid wastes and other releases for the entire life cycle of a product, process or activity, including a whole building.

    LONG RADIUS ELBOW. Pipe fitting installed between two lengths of pipe or tubing to allow a change of direction, with a radius 1.5 times the pipe diameter.

    LONG-TERM SYSTEM COST (LSC). [CEC] The CEC-projected present value of costs to California’s energy systems over a period of 30 years. LSC does not represent a prediction of individual utility bills.

    LOW-GWP REFRIGERANT. A compound used as a heat transfer fluid or gas that: (A) has a GWP value less than 150, and (B) is not an ozone depleting substance as defined in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 82, §82.3 (as amended March 10, 2009).

    LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID). Control of stormwater at its source to mimic drainage services provided by an undisturbed site.

    LOW POWER LEVEL 2 ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING RECEPTACLE. [BSC-CG, DSA-SS, HCD] A 208/240-volt 20-ampere minimum branch circuit and a receptacle.

    LOW-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING. For the purpose of CALGreen, any building that is of Occupancy Group R and is three stories or less.

    MATURE TREE CANOPY. [BSC-CG] The top of the mature trees or vegetation typical of a region.

    MAXIMUM INCREMENTAL REACTIVITY (MIR). The maximum change in weight of ozone formed by adding a compound to the “Base Reactive Organic Gas (ROG) Mixture” per weight of compound added, expressed to hundredths of a gram (g O [3] / g ROC). Note: MIR values for individual compounds and hydrocarbon solvents are specified in CCR, Title 17, Sections 94700 and 94701.

    MERV Filter minimum efficiency reporting value.

    METERING FAUCET. A self-closing faucet that dispenses a specific volume of water for each actuation cycle. The volume or cycle duration can be fixed or adjustable.

    MODEL WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE (MWELO) [BSC-CG & DSA-SS] A California regulation commencing with Section 490 of Chapter 2.7, Division 2, Title 23, California Code of Regulations . The MWELO regulation establishes a structure for planning, designing, installing, maintaining and managing water efficient landscapes in new construction and rehabilitated projects.

    MODEL WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE (MWELO). [HCD] The California model ordinance (California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7), regulating landscape design, installation and maintenance practices. Local agencies are required to adopt the updated MWELO, or adopt a local ordinance at least as effective as the MWELO.

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    DEFINITIONS

    MOISTURE CONTENT. The weight of the water in wood expressed in percentage of the weight of the oven-dry wood.

  • CALGreen § 1.0 Medium relevance — show source text
    1. Cork tile and sheet flooring.
    2. Rubber tile and sheet flooring.
    3. Polymeric poured seamless flooring.
    4. Other types of non-textile synthetic flooring.

    RE-USE. The use, in the same form as it was produced, of a material which might otherwise be discarded.

    SCHRADER ACCESS VALVES. Access fittings with a valve core installed.

    SHORT RADIUS ELBOW. Pipe fitting installed between two lengths of pipe or tubing to allow a change of direction, with a radius 1.0 times the pipe diameter.

    SINGLE OCCUPANT SPACES. Private offices, workstations in open offices, reception workstations and ticket booths.

    SOLAR ACCESS. [CEC] 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 determination of annual solar access.

    SOLAR POOL HEATING SYSTEM. [CEC] An assembly of components designed to heat water for swimming pools, spas, or swimming pool and spa combinations by solar thermal means, excluding pool recirculation components.

    SOLAR REFLECTANCE. A measure of the fraction of solar energy that is reflected by a surface (measured on a scale of zero to one).

    SOLAR REFLECTANCE INDEX (SRI). A measure of a material surface’s ability to reflect solar heat, as shown by a small temperature rise. It includes both solar reflectance and thermal emittance and is quantified such that a standard black surface (solar reflectance 0.05, thermal emittance 0.90) is zero and a standard white surface (solar reflectance 0.80, thermal emittance 0.90) is

    SOLID WASTE.

    (a) All putrescible and nonputrescible solid, semisolid and liquid wastes, including garbage, trash, refuse, paper, rubbish, ashes, industrial wastes, demolition and construction wastes, abandoned vehicles and parts thereof, discarded home and industrial appliances, dewatered, treated or chemically fixed sewage sludge which is not hazardous waste, manure, vegetable or animal solid and semisolid wastes, and other discarded solid and semisolid wastes. (b) “Solid waste” does not include any of the following wastes: (1) Hazardous waste, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 40141. (2) Radioactive waste regulated pursuant to the Radiation Control Law (Chapter 8, commencing with Section 114960, of Part 9 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code ). (3) Medical waste regulated pursuant to the Medical Waste Management Act (Part 14 commencing with Section 117600) of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code ). Untreated medical waste shall not be disposed of in a solid waste landfill, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 40195.1. Medical waste that has been treated and deemed to be solid waste shall be regulated pursuant to this division.

    SPECIAL LANDSCAPE AREA (SLA). [DSA-SS] An area of the landscape dedicated solely to edible plants, planting areas used for educational purposes, recreational areas, areas irrigated with recycled water, water features using recycled water, and where turf provides a playing surface or gathering space.

    STANDARD DISHWASHER. A dishwasher that has a capacity equal to or greater than eight place settings plus six serving pieces as specified in ANSI/AHAM DW-1.

  • CALGreen § 5-19 Medium relevance — show source text

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    NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES

    5.303.3.4.3 Wash fountains. Wash fountains shall have a maximum flow rate of not more than 1.8 gallons per minute/20 [rim space (inches) at 60 psi].

    5.303.3.4.4 Metering faucets. Metering faucets shall not deliver more than 0.20 gallons per cycle.

    5.303.3.4.5 Metering faucets for wash fountains. Metering faucets for wash fountains shall have a maximum flow rate of not more than 0.20 gallons per cycle/20 [rim space (inches) at 60 psi].

    Note: Where complying faucets are unavailable, aerators or other means may be used to achieve reduction.

    5.303.3.4.6 Pre-rinse spray valve. When installed, commercial pre-rinse spray valves shall meet the requirements in the Cali- fornia Plumbing Code, Section 420.3.

    5.303.4 Commercial kitchen equipment.

    5.303.4.1 Food waste disposers. Disposers shall either modulate the use of water to no more than 1 gpm when the disposer is not in use (not actively grinding food waste/no-load) or shall automatically shut off after no more than 10 minutes of inactivity. Disposers shall use no more than 8 gpm of water.

    Note: This code section does not affect local jurisdiction authority to prohibit or require disposer installation.

    5.303.5 Areas of addition or alteration. For those occupancies within the authority of the California Building Standards Commission as specified in Section 103, the provisions of Sections 5.303.3 and 5.303.4 shall apply to new fixtures in additions or areas of alteration to the building.

    5.303.6 Standards for plumbing fixtures and fittings. Plumbing fixtures and fittings shall be installed in accordance with the Cali- fornia Plumbing Code, and shall meet the applicable standards referenced in Table 1701.1 of the California Plumbing Code and in Chapter 6 of this code.

    SECTION 5.304—OUTDOOR WATER USE

    5.304.1 Outdoor potable water use in landscape areas. Nonresidential developments shall comply with a local water efficient landscape ordinance or the current California Department of Water Resources’ Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), whichever is more stringent.

    Notes:

    1. The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) is located in the California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Chapter 2.7, Division 2.

    2. MWELO and supporting documents, including a water budget calculator, are available at: https://www.water.ca.gov/.

    5.304.2 Reserved.

    5.304.3 Reserved.

    5.304.4 Reserved.

    5.304.5 Reserved.

  • CALGreen § 5.303 Medium relevance — show source text

    GRAYWATER.

    METERING FAUCET.

    MODEL WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE (MWELO).

    POTABLE WATER.

    SPECIAL LANDSCAPE AREA (SLA). [DSA-SS]

    SUBMETER.

    SECTION 5.303—INDOOR WATER USE

    5.303.1 Meters. Separate submeters or metering devices shall be installed for the uses described in Sections 5.303.1.1 and 5.303.1.2. 5.303.1.1 New buildings or additions in excess of 50,000 square feet. Separate submeters shall be installed as follows:

    1. For each individual leased, rented or other tenant space within the building projected to consume more than 100 gal/day (380 L/day), including, but not limited to, spaces used for laundry or cleaners, restaurant or food service, medical or dental office, laboratory, or beauty salon or barber shop.
    2. Where separate submeters for individual building tenants are unfeasible, for water supplied to the following subsystems: a. Makeup water for cooling towers where flow through is greater than 500 gpm (30 L/s). b. Makeup water for evaporative coolers greater than 6 gpm (0.04 L/s). c. Steam and hot-water boilers with energy input more than 500,000 Btu/h (147 kW). 5.303.1.2 Excess consumption. A separate submeter or metering device shall be provided for any tenant within a new building or within an addition that is projected to consume more than 1,000 gal/day.

    5.303.2 Reserved.

    5.303.3 Water conserving plumbing fixtures and fittings. Plumbing fixtures (water closets and urinals) and fittings (faucets and showerheads) shall comply with the following: 5.303.3.1 Water closets. The effective flush volume of all water closets shall not exceed 1.28 gallons per flush. Tank-type water closets shall be certified to the performance criteria of the US EPA WaterSense Specification for Tank-Type Toilets. Note: The effective flush volume of dual flush toilets is defined as the composite, average flush volume of two reduced flushes and one full flush.

    5.303.3.2 Urinals.

    5.303.3.2.1 Wall-mounted urinals. The effective flush volume of wall-mounted urinals shall not exceed 0.125 gallons per flush.

    5.303.3.2.2 Floor-mounted urinals. The effective flush volume of floor-mounted or other urinals shall not exceed 0.5 gallons per flush.

    5.303.3.3 Showerheads.

    5.303.3.3.1 Single showerhead. Showerheads shall have a maximum flow rate of not more than 1.8 gallons per minute at 80 psi. Showerheads shall be certified to the performance criteria of the US EPA WaterSense Specification for Showerheads. 5.303.3.3.2 Multiple showerheads serving one shower. When a shower is served by more than one showerhead, the combined flow rate of all showerheads and/or other shower outlets controlled by a single valve shall not exceed 1.8 gallons per minute at 80 psi, or the shower shall be designed to allow only one shower outlet to be in operation at a time.

    Note: A hand-held shower shall be considered a showerhead.

    5.303.3.4 Faucets and fountains.

  • CALGreen § 303.4 Medium relevance — show source text

    APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

    A5.303.4 Water conserving plumbing fixtures and fittings.

    A5.303.4.1 Nonwater urinals. Nonwater urinals with drain cleansing action are installed in accordance with the California Plumbing Code .

    Where approved, nonwater urinals with drain cleansing action (formerly urinal, hybrids) as defined in Chapter 2, shall be considered waterless urinals.

    A5.303.5 Dual plumbing. New buildings and facilities shall be dual plumbed for potable and recycled water systems for toilet flushing when recycled water is available as determined by the enforcement authority.

    SECTION A5.304—OUTDOOR WATER USE

    A5.304.1 Reserved.

    A5.304.2 Outdoor water use. For new water service not subject to the provisions of Water Code Section 535, separate meters or submeters shall be installed for indoor and outdoor potable water use for landscaped areas of at least 500 square feet but not more than 1,000 square feet.

    A5.304.6 Restoration of areas disturbed by construction. Restore all landscape areas disturbed during construction by planting with local adaptive and/or noninvasive vegetation.

    A5.304.7 Previously developed sites. On previously developed or graded sites, restore or protect at least 50 percent of the site area with adaptive and/or noninvasive vegetation. Projects complying with Section A5.106.3, Item 3 may apply vegetated roof surface to this calculation if the roof plants meet the definition of adaptive and noninvasive.

    Exception: Area of the building footprint is excluded from the calculation.

    A5.304.8 Graywater irrigation system. Install a graywater collection system for onsite subsurface irrigation using graywater collected from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins and laundry water. See California Plumbing Code.

    SECTION A5.305—WATER REUSE

    A5.305.1 Nonpotable water systems. Nonpotable water systems for indoor and outdoor use shall comply with the current edition of the California Plumbing Code.

    A5.305.2 Irrigation systems. Irrigation systems regulated by a local water efficient landscape ordinance or by the California Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) shall use recycled water.

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    APPENDIX A5-22 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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    CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

    APPENDIX A5 – NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

    DIVISION A5.4 – MATERIAL CONSERVATION AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

    (Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

  • CALGreen § 3107F.2.5.3 Medium relevance — show source text

    I c = Moment of inertia of uncracked section

    I e = Effective moment of inertia

    I = Gross moment of inertia g I s = Moment of inertia for steel section k = Factor dependent on the curvature ductility μ φ = φ / φ y , within the plastic hinge region k = Knowledge factor

    L = Distance from the critical section of the plastic hinge to the point of contraflexure (Section 3107F.2.5.3), or effective length (Section 3107F.3.3.2)

    L p = Plastic hinge length l dc = Minimum development length

    l d = Actual development length

    l dv = Vertical development length

    M = Maximum allowable moment

    M c = Moment capacity of the connection M c,r = Moment capacity at maximum plastic rotation M o = Overstrength moment demand of the plastic hinge (Section 3107F.2.7) M p = Idealized plastic moment capacity from Method A or B (Section 3107F.2.5) M y = Moment at first yield N = Pile axial compressive force

    N u = External axial compression on pile including seismic load

    ρ s = Effective volume ratio of confining steel

    p t = Nominal principal tension

    r = Radius of circular pile

    s = Spacing of hoops or spiral along the pile axis

    t = Steel pile wall thickness

    Δ = Displacement capacity

    θ = Angle of critical crack to the pile axis

    θ = Plastic rotation p α = Angle between line joining centers of flexural compression in the deck/pile and in-ground hinges, and the pile axis

    φ a = Allowable curvature

    φ m = Maximum curvature φ p, φ p,m = Plastic curvature φ u = Ultimate curvature φ ′ u = Adjusted ultimate curvature

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    MARINE OIL TERMINALS

    φ y = Yield curvature φ ′ y = Adjusted yield curvature

    τ = Maximum allowable shear stress capacity τ design = Design shear strength τ max = Maximum shear stress

    V c = Concrete shear strength v j = Nominal joint shear stress V design = Design shear strength V max = Maximum shear demand

    V n = Nominal shear strength V p = Contribution to shear strength from axial loads V s = Transverse reinforcement shear strength V pile = Shear strength of steel pile

    3107F.9 References.

    [7.1] Priestley, M.J.N, Seible, F. and Calvi, G.M. “Seismic Design and Retrofit of Bridges,” 1996, New York.

  • CALGreen § 4.303.1.4.3 Medium relevance — show source text

    4.303.1.4.3 Metering faucets. Metering faucets when installed in residential buildings shall not deliver more than 0.2 gallons per cycle.

    4.303.1.4.4 Kitchen faucets. The maximum flow rate of kitchen faucets shall not exceed 1.8 gallons per minute at 60 psi. Kitchen faucets may temporarily increase the flow above the maximum rate, but not to exceed 2.2 gallons per minute at 60 psi, and must default to a maximum flow rate of 1.8 gallons per minute at 60 psi.

    Note: Where complying faucets are unavailable, aerators or other means may be used to achieve reduction.

    4.303.1.4.5 Pre-rinse spray valves. When installed, commercial pre-rinse spray valves shall meet the requirements in the California Plumbing Code, Section 420.3.

    4.303.2 Submeters for multifamily buildings and dwelling units in mixed-use residential/commercial buildings. Submeters shall be installed to measure water usage of individual rental dwelling units in accordance with the California Plumbing Code.

    4.303.3 Standards for plumbing fixtures and fittings. Plumbing fixtures and fittings shall be installed in accordance with the Cali- fornia Plumbing Code, and shall meet the applicable standards referenced in Table 1701.1 of the California Plumbing Code.

    SECTION 4.304—OUTDOOR WATER USE

    4.304.1 Outdoor potable water use in landscape areas. Residential developments shall comply with a local water efficient landscape ordinance or the current California Department of Water Resources’ Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), whichever is more stringent.

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    RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES

    Notes:

    1. The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) is located in the California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Chapter 2.7, Division 2.

    MWELO and supporting documents, including a water budget calculator, are available at: https://www.water.ca.gov/

    SECTION 4.305—WATER REUSE SYSTEMS (RESERVED)

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    4 RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES

    DIVISION 4.4 – MATERIAL CONSERVATION AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

    SECTION 4.401—GENERAL

    4.401.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall outline means of achieving material conservation and resource efficiency through protection of buildings from exterior moisture; construction waste diversion; employment of techniques to reduce pollution through recycling of materials; and building commissioning or testing, adjusting and balancing.

    SECTION 4.402—DEFINITIONS

    4.402.1 Definitions. Reserved.

    SECTION 4.403 —FOUNDATION SYSTEMS (RESERVED)

    SECTION 4.404—EFFICIENT FRAMING TECHNIQUES (RESERVED)

    SECTION 4.405—MATERIAL SOURCES (RESERVED)

    SECTION 4.406—ENHANCED DURABILITY AND REDUCED MAINTENANCE

  • CALGreen § 3-83 Medium relevance — show source text

    Exceptions:

    1. Exhaust ventilation shall not be required in areas with an approved engineered ventilation system, which maintains a hydrogen gas concentration at less than 25 percent of the lower flammability limit. 2. Mechanical exhaust ventilation for hydrogen shall not be required where the charging equipment utilized is installed and listed for indoor charging of electric vehicles without ventilation.

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    BUILDING PLANNING

    SECTION 339—RESERVED

    SECTION R340—POLLUTANT CONTROL

    R340.1 Finish material pollutant control. Finish materials including adhesives, sealants, caulks, paints and coatings, aerosol paints and coatings, carpet systems, carpet cushion, carpet adhesive, resilient flooring systems and composite wood products shall meet the volatile organic compound (VOC) emission limits in accordance with the California Green Building Standards Code, Chapter 4, Division 4.5.

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    CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

    CHAPTER 4 – FOUNDATIONS

    (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 Col6 Col7 DSA Col9 Col10 OSHPD Col12 Col13 Col14 Col15 Col16 BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC
    Adopting agency BSC BSC-
    CG    		 SFM 1 2 1/AC AC SS SS/CC 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
    Adopt entire chapter
    Adopt entire chapter as
    amended (amended
    sections listed below)    		 X
    Adopt only those sections
    that are listed below    		 X
    Chapter / Section
    R401.2 X
    R401.4.1.1 through
    R401.4.1.1.5    		 X
    R404.5.1 X
    R408.3 X
    R408.4 X
    R408.8 X

    The state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: †

    2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE 4-1

  • CALGreen § 2.7 Medium relevance — show source text

    MERV Filter minimum efficiency reporting value.

    METERING FAUCET. A self-closing faucet that dispenses a specific volume of water for each actuation cycle. The volume or cycle duration can be fixed or adjustable.

    MODEL WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE (MWELO) [BSC-CG & DSA-SS] A California regulation commencing with Section 490 of Chapter 2.7, Division 2, Title 23, California Code of Regulations . The MWELO regulation establishes a structure for planning, designing, installing, maintaining and managing water efficient landscapes in new construction and rehabilitated projects.

    MODEL WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE (MWELO). [HCD] The California model ordinance (California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7), regulating landscape design, installation and maintenance practices. Local agencies are required to adopt the updated MWELO, or adopt a local ordinance at least as effective as the MWELO.

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    DEFINITIONS

    MOISTURE CONTENT. The weight of the water in wood expressed in percentage of the weight of the oven-dry wood.

    MOUNTING HEIGHT (MH). The height of the photometric center of a luminaire above grade level.

    MULTI-OCCUPANT SPACES. Indoor spaces used for presentations and training, including classrooms and conference rooms.

    NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLE (NEV). [BSC-CG, DSA-SS] A motor vehicle that meets the definition of “low-speed vehicle” either in Section 385.5 of the Vehicle Code or in 49 CFR571.500 (as it existed on July 1, 2000), and is certified to zero-emission vehicle standards.

    NEWLY CONSTRUCTED (or NEW CONSTRUCTION). A newly constructed building (or new construction) does not include additions, alterations or repairs.

    NO ADDED FORMALDEHYDE (NAF) BASED RESINS. Resin formulated with no added formaldehyde as part of the resin cross linking structure for making hardwood plywood, particle board or medium density fiberboard. “No added formaldehyde resins” include, but are not limited to, resins made from soy, polyvinyl acetate or methylene diisocyanate. [BSC] See CCR, Title 17, Section 93120.1(a).

    NON-STORMWATER DISCHARGES. Discharges that do not originate from precipitation events. Including, but not limited to, dewatering activities, washout area discharge, vehicle and equipment cleaning, street cleaning and irrigation runoff.

    NONWATER URINAL WITH DRAIN CLEANSING ACTION. A nonwater urinal that conveys waste into the drainage system without the use of water for flushing and automatically performs a drain-cleansing action after a predetermined amount of time.

    OFF-STREET LOADING SPACES. [BSC-CG, DSA-SS] An area, other than a public street, public way or other property (and exclusive of off-street parking spaces), permanently reserved or set aside for the loading or unloading of motor vehicles, including ways of ingress and egress and maneuvering areas. Whenever the term “loading space” is used, it shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, be construed as meaning off-street loading space. This excludes designated passenger loading/unloading.

  • CALGreen § 10-109 Medium relevance — show source text

    ELECTRIC VEHICLE SUPPLY EQUIPMENT (EVSE). [BSC-CG, DSA-SS and HCD] The conductors, including the ungrounded, grounded and equipment grounding conductors and the electric vehicle connectors, attachment plugs, personnel protection system, and all other fittings, devices, power outlets or apparatus installed specifically for the purpose of transferring energy between the premises wiring and the electric vehicle.

    EMBODIED ENERGY. The energy used for raw material extraction, transportation, manufacturing, assembly, installation and disposal during the life of a product, including the potential energy stored within the product.

    ENERGY BUDGET. [CEC] The maximum energy consumption that a proposed building, or portion of a building, can be designed to consume, calculated using CEC-approved compliance software as specified in Section 10-109 of the Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) and the Alternative Calculation Method (ACM) Reference Manual. The Energy Budget for the newly constructed buildings is expressed in terms of the Long-term System Cost (LSC) and Source Energy. The energy budget for additions and alterations is expressed in terms of LSC.

    ENERGY COMMISSION. The California State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. ENERGY EQUIVALENT (NOISE) LEVEL ( L eq ). The level of a steady noise which would have the same energy as the fluctuating noise level integrated over the time period of interest.

    ENFORCING AGENCY. The designated department or agency as specified by statute or regulation.

    EUTROPHICATION. The excessive growth of aquatic plants, especially algae, producing bacteria which consume nearly all of the oxygen required to sustain fauna and other flora.

    EVAPOTRANSPIRATION ADJUSTMENT FACTOR (ETAF). [DSA-SS] An adjustment factor when applied to reference evapotranspiration that adjusts for plant factors and irrigation efficiency, which are two major influences on the amount of water that needs to be applied to the landscape.

    EXFILTRATION. The uncontrolled outward air leakage from inside a building, including leakage through cracks and interstices, around windows and doors, and through any other exterior partition or duct penetration.

    EXPRESSWAY. An arterial highway for through traffic which may have partial control of access, but which may or may not be divided or have grade separations at intersections.

    FILM. [BSC-CG] A material adhered to the first surface of glass (surface 1), perforated or printed with patterns as visual markers.

    FLOOR AREA RATIO. Gross square footage of all structures on a site divided by gross square footage of the site.

    FOOTPRINT AREA. [DSA-SS] The total area of the furthest exterior wall of the structure projected to natural grade, not including exterior areas such as stairs, covered walkways, patios and decks.

    FREEWAY. A divided arterial highway with full control of access and with grade separations at intersections.

    FRENCH DRAIN. A trench, hole or other depressed area loosely filled with rock, gravel, fragments of brick or similar pervious material used to collect or channel drainage or runoff water.

    GEOTHERMAL. [CEC] Renewable energy generated by deep-earth water or steam.

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    DEFINITIONS

  • CALGreen § 1-5 Medium relevance — show source text

    102 Construction Documents

    and Installation Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5

    103 Building Standards Commission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5 104 Department of Housing and Community Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6 105 Division of the State Architect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6

    106 Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6

    CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

    201 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

    202 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

    CHAPTER 3 GREEN BUILDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

    301 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3

    302 Mixed Occupancy Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4 303 Phased Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4 304 Voluntary Tiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4 305 CALGreen Tier 1 and CALGreen Tier 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4

    306 Voluntary Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4

    CHAPTER 4 RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES . . . . . . 4-3

    4.1 Planning and Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3 4.2 Energy Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7 4.3 Water Efficiency and Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9 4.4 Material Conservation and Resource Efficiency . . . . 4-11 4.5 Environmental Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13

    CHAPTER 5 NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES . . 5-3

  • CALGreen § 1-21 Medium relevance — show source text

    107 Temporary Uses, Equipment and Systems . . . . . . 1-21

    108 Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21

    109 Inspection and Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22

    110 Certificate of Completion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24

    111 Service Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24

    112 Means of Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24

    113 Stop Work Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25

    CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

    201 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

    202 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

    CHAPTER 3 WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREAS . . . . 3-3

    301 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3

    302 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designations . . . . . .3-3

    CHAPTER 4 WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA

    REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

    401 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3

    402 Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3

    403 Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3

    404 Water Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7

    CHAPTER 5 SPECIAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

    REGULATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

    501 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3

Frequently asked questions

What specifically must a school designer set ETAF to when using MWELO under CALGreen?

For public schools and community colleges CALGreen requires ETAF = 0.65; that value must be used in the MWELO water‑budget calculation for those projects as stated in § 5.304.6.

Does SLA mean I can irrigate turf and edible gardens as much as I want?

No. SLA is a category recognized by the code (edible, educational, recreational, recycled‑water irrigated, or turf playing surfaces) that is allowed an additional water allowance of 0.35 in the CALGreen public‑school provision, not unlimited water. Use MWELO’s calculator to apply that allowance correctly. See § 5.304.6 and the SLA definition.

My project is 2,000 sq ft — can I use prescriptive MWELO Appendix D?

Yes — CALGreen’s exception allows projects with aggregate landscape area ≤ 2,500 sq ft to comply using the MWELO prescriptive measures in Appendix D instead of the full water‑budget approach; see § 5.304.6 (Exception).

Where are these terms defined in the CALGreen code?

Definitions for ETAF, MWELO, and SLA are in the code’s definitions (Chapter 2, listed under § 202 / referenced in § 5.302.1); the code excerpts show the specific definition entries.

If my local ordinance is stricter than MWELO which applies?

CALGreen requires compliance with the more stringent of the local water‑efficient landscape ordinance or the state MWELO (see § 5.304.1 and § 4.304.1). Check your local ordinance for any variations or stricter ETAF/SLA treatments.

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Common water and landscape definitions used by CALGreen

California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)