San Mateo County Building & Planning eco-guidelines update

San Mateo County steps up to the Green plate

Published March 9th, 2008 in Your Home. by Marian Bennett, Coldwell Banker Tags: green building.

If you’ve gone to the San Mateo County Building & Planning website you’ve probably seen this announcement:

Remodels and new construction in our unincorporated communities of El Granada, Moss Beach and Montara will now need to follow eco-friendly guidelines based on the Build It Green point system. This measure was passed by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors with little fanfare. An article written on 2/13/08 in the San Mateo County Times offers an opinion of its importance:

“It is the most aggressive and far-ranging mandatory green building program in San Mateo County, also rivaling those adopted by San Diego, San Francisco and Marin counties. It was developed over the past seven months by a committee of builders, real estate agents and environmentalists, and passed by the Planning Commission in January.”

This new requirement applies to all new residential projects AND residential remodels of 50 percent or greater AND commercial and industrial buildings of 3,000 square feet or more. Per Section 1402 of the Ordinance, “50% remodel means any additions, alterations or repairs within any 12-month period that exceeds 50% of the value of the existing building or structure.” Visit the San Mateo County Building & Planning site for a copy of the entire Green Building Ordinance passed on February 26, 2008. To reach the County Building & Planning Department by phone, call 650-363-4161. If you are doing a minor remodel, this wouldn’t apply, but it might be worth a call to confirm.

I just found the GreenHomeGuide which is full of great ideas. This site can help you find professionals and consultants through their Green Home Directory. They also invite you to become a part of their directory so others can locate an expert in this area.

Locals I found on this directory were Moroso Construction (Pacifica), Tranquil Spaces Design Group (Pacifica). There were many, however, throughout the “Bay Area” link. I know we’ve got some great local green resources. I’ll create a resource list for readers and clients as I get more info from Coastside builders, designers and landscapers. I’ve noticed some in the local papers and magazines, but might be worth gathering together with new building guidelines in place.