The city finds that green building design, construction and operation can have a significant positive effect on energy and resource efficiency, waste and pollution generation, and the health and productivity of a building's occupants over the life of the building. The second purpose is to create healthy work and living environments increasing the productivity of workers and residents and visitors to the city by improving indoor air quality and lighting.

The intent of this section is to help promote the environmental sustainability of natural resources and improvement of the interior environment by efficiently redirecting the use of recyclable materials away from landfills, by introducing recycled-content and materials created with a low embodied energy materials in construction, and by reducing the energy consumption needs of structures by making use of efficient construction methods.

The city also finds that green design and construction decisions made by the city in the construction and remodeling of city buildings can result in significant cost savings to the city over the life of the buildings. The city also recognizes that it must lead by example in order to have the general populace follow suit and therefore commits itself to the practice of green building for all new and remodeling construction on city owned buildings and structures.

The City of Scotts Valley finds that it is necessary to have some mandatory requirements in the Green Building Ordinance related to water. These mandatory requirements cannot be used to obtain the necessary green points needed to obtain a building permit.

(Ord. 16.123, § 58, 9-5-2007; Ord. 16.123.1, § 1, 10-1-2008)

"Addition" means a new building or structure expansion that is physically connected to a previously existing building.

"Interior remodel" means change or alteration in only the interior of a building that does not increase its net square footage.

"New construction" means a new building not physically connected to a previously existing building.

"Non-habitable residential structure" means a building on a residential property that is not legally habitable, such as a garage or shed.

"Non-residential" means not meeting the definition of "residential".

"Residential" means single-family or multi-family residences, less than or equal to three stories (above grade) in height.

"Remodel" means change or alteration in a building that does not increase its net square footage.

(Ord. 16.123, § 58, 9-5-2007)

A.

All new construction and remodels over 500 square feet in the city limits of the City of Scotts Valley shall install only high efficiency fixtures as follows:

1.

All new commercial construction shall install high efficiency fixtures and will be required to rough plumb dual piping to use recycled water when it becomes available in toilet fixtures and for landscaping. Connection to the recycled water system will be governed by the requirements in Chapter 17.47 of the Zoning Ordinance.

2.

All new residential construction shall install only high efficiency toilet fixtures.

3.

All remodels over 500 square for residential, commercial and industrial buildings shall install high efficiency fixtures in the area being remodeled.

(Ord. 16.123.1, § 2, 10-1-2008)

Persons constructing a new building, adding to or substantially remodeling a building in the City of Scotts Valley shall participate in the Scotts Valley's Green Building Program. In order to obtain a building permit for any new building, addition or substantial remodel in excess of those exempted in Section 17.51.40, each project must include elements from the program checklist equal to or exceeding the following:

(Ord. 16.123, § 58, 9-5-2007)

The following are exempt from the provisions of this section:

• Additions and remodels of less than five hundred square feet of any dwelling structure.

• Additions and remodels of less than one thousand square and interior remodels of any non-residential structure.

• Equipment and non-structural modifications of any residential or non-residential structure.

• Non-habitable residential structures of less than one thousand square feet.

• General maintenance of any structure.

• Historical structures where the historic fabric would be compromised.

(Ord. 16.123, § 58, 9-5-2007)

From time to time, but not less than on a bi-annual basis, building and planning staff shall update the Green Building Program documentation and checklist to reflect advances in green building techniques and materials and to make necessary modifications in program implementation.

(Ord. 16.123, § 58, 9-5-2007)

The chief building official and/or the principal planner shall maintain the following documents for the public:

• City of Scotts Valley: Standards for Green Building Compliance

• New Home Green Points Check List for Residential Buildings

• New Building Green Points Check List for Non-Residential Buildings

These documents shall be to aid in the design and certification of new residential and non-residential buildings and significant remodels and additions thereto. Every applicant of a building permit not exempted by [Section] 17.51.40 (Exemptions) above shall complete and submit the appropriate check list for their project as well along with the standard application documents. All compliance measures shall be clearly delineated on plan sets.

(Ord. 16.123, § 58, 9-5-2007)

Designers and builders employing exceptional design, construction practices and/or maintenance features may have their project modified from the strict interpretation of the program if in the opinion of the principal planner or building official such features exhibit at least a twenty percent increase in points over the minimum standards for a Green Building Award as outlined in [Section] 17.51.30 (Standards for compliance) above. Exceptional designs shall also be recognized by the city and eligible to receive a plaque that may be displayed on the structure.

(Ord. 16.123, § 58, 9-5-2007)

All permits issued by the City of Scotts Valley not exempt by Section 17.51.050, sub-trade permits, and permits issued in conjunction with a master permit shall be assessed a fee equal to .0025 times the overall valuation of the project. Revenues collected shall be maintained by the finance department in a revolving Green Building Education Fund and shall be used only for program management, public educational purposes such as publications and local seminars.

(Ord. 16.123, § 58, 9-5-2007)