CALGreen · California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)

Materials Conservation & Environmental Quality (Divisions 5.4 & 5.5)

Divisions 5.4 and 5.5 of CALGreen set mandatory nonresidential rules for conserving materials and protecting environmental quality (VOC limits, composite wood, commissioning, IAQ) and are supplemented by voluntary Appendix A5 electives for higher‑tier performance.

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Divisions 5.4 and 5.5 of the CALGreen Code cover nonresidential measures for material conservation/resource efficiency and environmental quality — from reducing embodied impacts and encouraging reuse/recycled or low‑GWP products to protecting indoor air and occupant health through VOC limits, source isolation and ventilation requirements. The Code organizes these topics across Chapter 5 (Division 5.4: material conservation and resource efficiency; Division 5.5: environmental quality) as part of the nonresidential mandatory measures matrix.

Key mandatory provisions you’ll commonly encounter include requirements for commissioning and documentation (see §5.410.2 and related commissioning provisions), which ensure systems perform as intended; product and material controls such as VOC limits for adhesives, sealants and paints in §5.504.4.1 and §5.504.4.3; and restrictions/verification for composite wood, carpet and resilient flooring (for example, §§5.504.4.4–5.504.4.6 and the verification subsections).

These mandatory divisions are complemented by voluntary Appendix measures (A5.4 and A5.5) that expand options for life‑cycle assessment, low‑VOC product adoption, no‑added formaldehyde insulation and product GWP controls under Tier pathways — useful for projects pursuing higher CALGreen tiers or local green building incentives.

In this section

Code references

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

  • CALGreen § 3-4 High relevance — show source text

    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

    5.1 Planning and Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3 5.2 Energy Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15 5.3 Water Efficiency and Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19 5.4 Material Conservation and Resource Efficiency . . . . 5-23 5.5 Environmental Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31

    CHAPTER 6 REFERENCED ORGANIZATIONS

    AND STANDARDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

    601 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3

    CHAPTER 7 INSTALLER AND SPECIAL

    INSPECTOR QUALIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3 701 General (Reserved) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-3 702 Qualifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-3

  • CALGreen § 504.4.5.3 High relevance — show source text

    504.4.5.3||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Resilient flooring systems|5.504.4.6||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Resilient flooring: verification of compliance|5.504.4.6.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Thermal insulation|5.504.4.7||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Verification of compliance|5.504.4.8.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Acoustical ceilings and wall panels|5.504.4.8||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Verification of compliance|5.504.4.8.1|||||

    APPENDIX A5-46 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

    CHAPTER 5
    DIVISIONS    		 Col2 SECTION TITLE CODE
    SECTION    		 Y N/A O PLAN SHEET,
    SPEC OR
    ATTACH
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality    		 Mandatory Filters (with exceptions) 5.504.5
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality    		 Mandatory Filters: labeling 5.504.5.1
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality    		 Mandatory Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) control 5.504.7
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality    		 Mandatory Indoor moisture control 5.505.1
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality    		 Mandatory Outside air delivery 5.506.1
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality    		 Mandatory Carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring 5.506.2
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality    		 Mandatory Carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring in classrooms 5.506.3
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality    		 Mandatory Acoustical control (with exception) 5.507.4
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality    		 Mandatory Exterior noise transmission, prescriptive method
    (with exceptions)    		 5.507.4.
  • CALGreen § 409.1 High relevance — show source text

    4**
    Material Conservation
    and Resource Efficiency3|Cradle-to-Grave
    Whole Building Life Cycle
    Assessment|See Section A5.409.1, Section A5.409.2
    and Section A5.409.2.3 requirements|See Section A5.409.1, Section A5.409.2
    and Section A5.409.2.3 requirements| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material Conservation
    and Resource Efficiency3|Product GWP compliance –
    prescriptive path|See Section A5.409.1, Section A5.409.2
    and Section A5.409.2.3 requirements|See Section A5.409.1, Section A5.409.2
    and Section A5.409.2.3 requirements| |DIVISION 5.4
    Material Conservation
    and Resource Efficiency3||1 additional Elective
    from Division A5.4|3 additional Electives
    from Division A5.4| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental Quality|Low-VOC Resilient Flooring|90% of flooring meets VOC limits|100% of flooring meets VOC limits1| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental Quality|Low-VOC Thermal Insulation|Comply with VOC limits|Install no-added formaldehyde
    insulation and comply with VOC limits| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental Quality||1 additional Elective from Division A5.5|3 additional Electives from Division A5.5| |Additional Measures||1 additional Elective from any division|3 additional Electives from any division| |Approximate Total
    Measures||15|25| |1.
    Exception: Allowance may be permitted in Tier 2 for up to 5-percent specialty purpose flooring.
    2.
    Solar water-heating system requirement for newly constructed restaurants as per A5.203.1.1.2.
    Exceptions:
    a. Buildings with a natural gas service water heater with a minimum of 95-percent thermal efficiency.
    b. Buildings where greater than 75 percent of the total roof area has annual solar access that is less than 70 percent. Solar access is 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 the determination of annual solar access.
    3.
    Life cycle assessment compliant with Section A5.409.4 in this code may be substituted for prescriptive measures from Division A5.4.|1.
    Exception: Allowance may be permitted in Tier 2 for up to 5-percent specialty purpose flooring.
    2.
    Solar water-heating system requirement for newly constructed restaurants as per A5.203.1.1.2.
    Exceptions:
    a. Buildings with a natural gas service water heater with a minimum of 95-percent thermal efficiency.
    b. Buildings where greater than 75 percent of the total roof area has annual solar access that is less than 70 percent. Solar access is the ratio of solar insolation including shade to the
    solar insolation without shade.

  • CALGreen § 504.4.7.2 High relevance — show source text

    504.4.7.2_||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Thermal insulation|5.504.4.7||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Verification of compliance|5.504.4.7.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Tier 1
    Prerequisite|Thermal insulation, Tier 1 (with verification of
    compliance)|A5.504.4.8.1,
    A5.504.4.8.1|||||

    APPENDIX A5-52 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

    CHAPTER 5
    DIVISIONS    		 Col2 Col3 SECTION TITLE CODE
    SECTION    		 Y N O PLAN SHEET,
    SPEC OR
    ATTACH
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective    		 (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective    		 Mandatory Acoustical ceilings and wall panels 5.504.4.8
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective    		 (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective    		 Mandatory Verification of compliance 5.504.4.8.1
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective    		 (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective    		 Mandatory Filters (with exceptions) 5.504.5
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective    		 (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective    		 Mandatory Filters: labeling 5.504.5.1
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective    		 (continued)
    **DIVISION 5.
  • CALGreen § 5.5 High relevance — show source text

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

    CHAPTER 5
    DIVISIONS    		 Col2 Col3 SECTION TITLE CODE
    SECTION    		 Y N O PLAN SHEET,
    SPEC OR
    ATTACH
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 Mandatory Carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring 5.506.2
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 Mandatory Carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring in classrooms 5.506.3
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 Mandatory Acoustical control (with exception) 5.507.4
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 Mandatory Exterior noise transmission, prescriptive method (with
    exceptions)    		 5.507.4.1
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 Mandatory Noise exposure where noise contours are not readily available 5.507.4.1.1
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 Mandatory Performance method 5.507.4.2
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 Mandatory Site features 5.507.4.2.1
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 (continued)
    **DIVISION 5.
  • CALGreen § 5.5 High relevance — show source text

    5**
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Verification of compliance|5.504.4.8.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Filters (with exceptions)|5.504.5||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Filters: labeling|5.504.5.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) control|5.504.7||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Indoor moisture control|5.505.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Outside air delivery|5.506.1|||||

    2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE APPENDIX A5-59

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

    CHAPTER 5
    DIVISIONS    		 Col2 Col3 SECTION TITLE CODE
    SECTION    		 Y N O PLAN SHEET,
    SPEC OR
    ATTACH
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 Mandatory Carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring 5.506.2
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 Mandatory Carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring in classrooms 5.506.3
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select Three Electives    		 Mandatory Acoustical control (with exception) 5.507.4
    (continued)
    **DIVISION 5.
  • CALGreen § 101.1 High relevance — show source text

    1 ADMINISTRATION

    SECTION 101—GENERAL

    101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the California Green Building Standards Code, may be cited as such, and will be referred to herein as “this code.” It is intended that it shall also be known as the CALGreen Code. The California Green Building Stan- dards Code is Part 11 of thirteen parts of the official compilation and publication of the adoption, amendment and repeal of building regulations to the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, also referred to as the California Building Standards Code.

    101.2 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to improve public health, safety and general welfare by enhancing the design and construction of buildings through the use of building concepts having a reduced negative impact or positive environmental impact and encouraging sustainable construction practices in the following categories:

    1. Planning and design.
    2. Energy efficiency.
    3. Water efficiency and conservation.
    4. Material conservation and resource efficiency.
    5. Environmental quality.

    101.3 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the planning, design, operation, construction, use and occupancy of every newly constructed building or structure, unless otherwise indicated in this code, throughout the State of California.

    It is not the intent that this code substitute or be identified as meeting the certification requirements of any green building

    program.

    101.3.1 State-regulated buildings, structures and applications. Provisions of this code shall apply to the following buildings, structures and applications regulated by state agencies as specified in Sections 103 through 106, except where modified by local ordinance pursuant to Section 101.7. When adopted by a state agency, the provisions of this code shall be enforced by the appropriate enforcing agency, but only to the extent of authority granted to such agency by statute.

    1. State-owned buildings, including buildings constructed by the Trustees of the California State University, and to the extent permitted by California law, buildings designed and constructed by the Regents of the University of California and regulated by the Building Standards Commission. See Section 103 for additional scoping provisions.

    2. Energy efficiency standards regulated by the California Energy Commission.

    3. All residential buildings constructed throughout the State of California, including but not limited to, hotels, motels, lodging houses, apartments, dwellings, dormitories, condominiums, shelters for homeless persons, congregate residences, employee housing, factory-built housing and other types of dwellings containing sleeping accommodations with or without common toilets or cooking facilities regulated by the Department of Housing and Community Development. See Section 104 for additional scoping provisions.

    4. Public elementary and secondary schools, and community college buildings regulated by the Division of the State Architect. See Section 105 for additional scoping provisions.

    5. Qualified historical buildings and structures and their associated sites regulated by the State Historical Building Safety Board within the Division of the State Architect.

    6. General acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, skilled nursing and/or intermediate care facilities, clinics licensed by the Department of Public Health and correctional treatment centers regulated by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. See Section 106 for additional scoping provisions.

    7. Graywater systems regulated by the Department of Water Resources and the Department of Housing and Community Development.

    8. Green building standards for occupancies where no state agency has authority or expertise, adopted by the California Building Standards Commission. See Section 103 for additional scoping provisions.

  • CALGreen § 8-40 High relevance — show source text

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-40

    APPENDIX A4 RESIDENTIAL

    VOLUNTARY MEASURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A4-3

    A4.1 Planning and Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A4-3 A4.2 Energy Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A4-9 A4.3 Water Efficiency and Conservation . . . APPENDIX A4-13 A4.4 Material Conservation and Resource Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A4-15 A4.5 Environmental Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A4-19 A4.6 Tier 1 and Tier 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A4-21

    Division A4.6—Residential Occupancies Application Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A4-23 A4.7 Residential Model Ordinance . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A4-31

    APPENDIX A5 NONRESIDENTIAL

    VOLUNTARY MEASURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-3

    A5.1 Planning and Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-3 A5.2 Energy Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-13 A5.3 Water Efficiency and Conservation . . . APPENDIX A5-19 A5.4 Material Conservation and Resource Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-25 A5.5 Environmental Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-35 A5.6 Voluntary Tiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-41 A5.601 CALGren Tier 1 and Tier 2. . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-41

    A5.602 CALGreen Verification Guidelines Mandatory Measures Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-44

    A5.602.1 CALGreen Verification Guidelines

    Tier 1 Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-48

    A5.602.2 CALGreen Verification Guidelines

    Tier 2 Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-55

    APPENDIX A6 VOLUNTARY STANDARDS FOR HEALTH

  • CALGreen § 504.2 Medium relevance — show source text

    504.2_||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective|Select One Elective|Elective|IAQ testing|A5.504.2.1,
    A5.504.2.1.1,
    A5.504.2.1.2,
    A5.504.2.1.3||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective|Select One Elective|Elective|No added formaldehyde Tier 1 (with notes)|A5.504.4.5.1||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective|Select One Elective|Elective|Hazardous particulates and chemical pollutants|A5.504.5||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective|Select One Elective|Elective|Entryway systems|A5.504.5.1||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective|Select One Elective|Elective|Isolation of pollutant sources|A5.504.5.2||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    Select One Elective|Select One Elective|Elective|Lighting and thermal comfort controls|A5.507.1,
    A5.507.1.1
    through
    A5.507.1.2|||||

    2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE APPENDIX A5-53

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

    CHAPTER 5 DIVISIONS Col2 Col3 SECTION TITLE CODE
    SECTION    		 Y N O PLAN SHEET,
    SPEC OR
    ATTACH
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmen-
    tal
    Quality    		 Select One Elective Daylight A5.507.2
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmen-
    tal
    Quality    		 Select One Elective Views A5.507.3
    (continued)
    DIVISION 5.5
    Environmen-
    tal
    Quality    		 Select One Elective Interior office spaces A5.507.3.1
    (continued)
    **DIVISION 5.
  • CALGreen § 410.4.3 Medium relevance — show source text

    410.4.3||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency|Mandatory|Procedures for HVAC balancing|5.410.4.3.1||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency|Mandatory|Reporting for testing and adjusting|5.410.4.4||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency|Mandatory|Operation and maintenance (O&M) manual|5.410.4.5||||| |(continued)
    DIVISION 5.4
    Material
    Conservation
    and Resource
    Efficiency|Mandatory|Inspection and reports|5.410.4.5.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Fireplaces|5.503.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Woodstoves|5.503.1.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Temporary ventilation|5.504.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Covering of ducts openings and protection of mechani-
    cal equipment during construction|5.504.3||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Adhesives, sealants and caulks|5.504.4.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Paints and coatings|5.504.4.3||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Aerosol paints and coatings|5.504.4.3.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Aerosol paints and coatings: verification|5.504.4.3.2||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Carpet systems|5.504.4.4||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Carpet cushion|5.504.4.4.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Carpet adhesives per Table 5.504.4.1|5.504.4.4.2||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Composite wood products|5.504.4.

  • CALGreen § 5.5 Medium relevance — show source text

    2||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Composite wood products|5.504.4.5||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Composite wood products: documentation|5.504.4.5.3||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Resilient flooring systems|5.504.4.6||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Resilient flooring: verification of compliance|5.504.4.6.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Tier 1
    Prerequisite|Resilient flooring systems, Tier 1 (with verification of
    compliance)|A5.504.4.7,
    A5.504.4.7.2||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Thermal insulation|5.504.4.7||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Mandatory|Verification of compliance|5.504.4.7.1||||| |DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|DIVISION 5.5
    Environmental
    Quality
    (continued)|Tier 1
    Prerequisite|Thermal insulation, Tier 1 (with verification of
    compliance)|A5.504.4.8.1,
    A5.504.4.8.1|||||

    APPENDIX A5-52 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

    CHAPTER 5
    DIVISIONS    		 Col2 Col3 SECTION TITLE CODE
    SECTION    		 Y N O PLAN SHEET,
    SPEC OR
    ATTACH
    (continued)
    **DIVISION 5.
  • CALGreen § 602.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    VOLUNTARY MEASURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-3

    A5.1 Planning and Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-3 A5.2 Energy Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-13 A5.3 Water Efficiency and Conservation . . . APPENDIX A5-19 A5.4 Material Conservation and Resource Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-25 A5.5 Environmental Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-35 A5.6 Voluntary Tiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-41 A5.601 CALGren Tier 1 and Tier 2. . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-41

    A5.602 CALGreen Verification Guidelines Mandatory Measures Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-44

    A5.602.1 CALGreen Verification Guidelines

    Tier 1 Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-48

    A5.602.2 CALGreen Verification Guidelines

    Tier 2 Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A5-55

    APPENDIX A6 VOLUNTARY STANDARDS FOR HEALTH

    FACILITIES [OSHPD 1, 2 & 4] . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A6.1-3 A6.1 Site Planning and Design . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A6.1-3 A6.2 Energy Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A6.1-3 A6.4 Material Conservation and Resource Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A6.1-32 A6.5 Environmental Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A6.1-33

    INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INDEX-1

    HISTORY NOTE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HIST-1

    2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE vii

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    viii 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

    CHAPTER 1 – ADMINISTRATION

    (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

Frequently asked questions

What buildings do Divisions 5.4 and 5.5 apply to?

The divisions are part of Chapter 5 (nonresidential mandatory measures) and apply to newly constructed nonresidential buildings covered by CALGreen; CALGreen itself applies broadly to newly constructed buildings and structures per the code scope.

Where are VOC and product limits specified?

VOC and product limits are set in the environmental quality provisions — for example, paints and coatings are regulated at §5.504.4.3 with VOC limits referenced to ARB tables, and sealant/adhesive VOC limits appear in Table 5.504.4.2 and related subsections. Composite wood, carpet and resilient flooring requirements and their verification are in §§5.504.4.4–5.504.4.6 (and verification subsections).

How do voluntary Appendix options relate to the mandatory code?

Appendix A5 (Divisions A5.4 and A5.5) offers voluntary Tier 1/2 measures — whole‑building LCA, Buy Clean/Product‑GWP electives, low‑VOC/resilient flooring and no‑added‑formaldehyde insulation — that projects can select for higher-tier compliance or performance goals; see A5.4/A5.5 for scope and elective lists.

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Related in the CALGreen

Energy Efficiency & Commissioning (Division 5.2 & commissioning requirements)

Planning & Design (Division 5.1)

Water Efficiency & Conservation (Division 5.3)

Nonresidential Mandatory Measures — Planning & Design; Energy; Water; Materials; Environmental Quality (Chapter 5)

California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)