HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 2009-3140ORDINANCE NO. 3140
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ADDING
CHAPTER 15.12, GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS, TO THE
CHULA VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE
The City Council of the City of Chula Vista does ordain as follows:
SECTION I. Findings. The City Council finds as follows:
The City of Chula Vista has a long standing commitment to leadership in green building
standards, sustainable design and construction practices, water and other resource
conservation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The City has committed to
reducing its citywide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by
2010.
2. GHG reduction has been mandated by Governor Schwarzenegger through executive
orders and in his signing into law AB 32 in 2006. AB 32 requires a reduction of GHG
emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
3. A 2005 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory indicated that Chula Vista's annual
citywide greenhouse gas levels had increased by 35% since 1990 due primarily to
residential growth.
According to studies published by the United States Green Building Council, the
construction, demolition and operation of buildings in the United States collectively
consume up to 39% of the total energy used, 12% of all fresh water supply, and 40% of
all raw materials used in the United States. Buildings also generate 39% of total emission
of greenhouse gases.
5. The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) and the Department of Housing
and Community Development (HCD) developed and approved a California Green
Building Standards Code (CGBSC) gleaned from nationally recognized programs and
based on an open public adoption process.
6. Green building design, construction, and operation can have a significant positive effect
on resource conservation, energy efficiency, waste and pollution generation, and the
health and productivity of a building's occupants over the life of the building. Requiring
commercial and residential projects to incorporate green building measures is necessary
and appropriate to achieve the public health and welfare benefits of green building.
Modifications to the California Building Standards, as detailed in this Ordinance, are
reasonably necessary due to local climatic conditions. As a result of high summer
ambient temperatures and periods of heat waves, average load demand and peak load
demand of energy used in Chula Vista is an important factor concerning public safety and
adverse economic impacts of power outages or power reductions. Reduction of total and
peak energy use will have local and regional benefits in the reduction of energy costs for
the building owner, additional available system energy capacity, and a reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions.
Ordinance No. 3140
Page 2
SECTION II. That Chapter 15.12 is added to the Chula Vista Municipal Code and reads as
follows:
Chapter 15.12
Green Building Standards
Sections:
Section 15.12.001 Purpose
Section 15.12.005 Scope
Section 15.12.010 Definitions
Section 15.12.015 Conflicting Provisions
Section 15.12.020 Administration
Section 15.12.025 Alternate Materials, Methods of Design and Methods of Construction
Section 15.12.030 Green Building Standazds
Section 15.12.035 Administrative Procedures
Section 15.12.040 Appeal
Section 15.12.001 Purpose
The purpose of this Chapter is to enhance the public health and welfare by promoting the
environmental and economic health of the City through the design, construction, maintenance,
operation and deconstruction of buildings and other site development by incorporating green
building practices into all development. The green building provisions referred to in this Chapter
are designed to achieve the following goals:
A. Increase energy efficiency in buildings;
B. Encourage water and resource conservation;
C. Reduce waste generated by construction projects;
D. Provide durable buildings that aze efficient and economical to own and operate;
E. Promote the health and productivity of residents, workers, and visitors to the city.
Section 15.12.005 Scope
The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to all new residential construction, remodels,
additions, and alterations, and to all new nonresidential construction, remodels, additions, and
tenant improvements for which a building permit has been applied for on or after the effective
date of this Chapter ("Covered Projects").
Section 15.12.010 Definitions
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words have the meanings shown in this
section. Where a term is not defined in this section, but is defined in Chapter 15.06, or the
technical codes Chapters 15.08, 15.10, 15.16, 15.24, 15.26, and 15.28, such term shall have the
meaning ascribed to it in Chapter 15.06, or the technical codes Chapters 15.08, 15.10, 15.16,
15.24, 15.26, and 15.28. Where terms are not defined, they shall have their ordinazily accepted
meanings within the context with which they are used. Words used in the singulaz include the
plural, and the plural the singular. Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine, and
the feminine include the masculine.
Ordinance No. 3140
Page 3
"Building Official" means the officer or other designated authority charged with the
administration and enforcement of this chapter, or duly authorized representative.
"Chula Vista Green Building Standazds" means the green building measures that have
been adopted by City Council, and which may be amended from time to time.
"Green Building" means a holistic approach to design, construction, and demolition that
minimizes the building's impact on the environment, the occupants, and the community.
Section 15.12.015 Conflicting Provisions
When conflicts occur between this Chapter and other chapters, codes or laws, those
provisions providing the greater safety to life shall govern In other conflicts where sanitation,
life safety or fire safety are not involved, the most restrictive provisions shall govern. If there is a
conflict with a state or federal law, the higher authority would prevail; if the laws aze consistent
but the local is more restrictive, the more restrictive would govern.
When there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the
specific requirement shall apply.
Section 15.12.020 Administration
The Building Official is authorized and directed to enforce all the provisions of this
chapter and to adopt and enforce rules and regulations supplemental to this chapter as may be
deemed necessary to clazify the application of the provisions of this chapter. Such
interpretations, rules and regulations shall be in conformity with the intent and purpose of this
chapter.
Section 15.12.025 Alternate Materials, Methods of Design and Methods of Construction
The provisions of this chapter are not intended to prevent the use of any material, method
of design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this chapter, provided an
alternate has been approved and its use authorized by the Building Official.
The Building Official may approve an alternate, provided the Building Official finds that
the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the provisions of this chapter and that the
material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that
prescribed in this chapter.
The Building Official may require documentation necessary to make findings for
approval. The details of an action granting approval of an alternate shall be recorded and entered
in the files of the Building Division.
Section 15.12.030 Green Building Standards
Buildings and building sites covered under Section 15.12.005 shall be designed to include
Green Building measures, which have been adopted by City Council resolution as the "Chula
Vista Green Building Standazds," and which may be amended from time to time.
Ordinance No. 3140
Page 4
Section 15.12.035 Administrative Procedures
A. Submittal of Documents. As part of the application for a building permit, construction
plans and specifications shall indicate in the general notes or individual detail drawings
the Green Building Standards and product specifications and methods of construction
that aze required by this Chapter.
The Building Official may require the applicant to retain the services of a consultant
having expertise in Green Building and/or energy efficiency techniques to review and
evaluate complex systems and/or alternate methods or materials of construction and
provide recommendations as to compliance with the requirements of this Chapter. The
cost of such consultant shall be paid by the applicant.
B. Approval of Permit Application. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, no
building permit shall be issued for any covered project until the Building Official has
determined that the plans and specifications submitted for the building permit are in
compliance with the requirements of this Chapter.
C. Compliance Verification. The Building Official shall verify that the Green Building
measures and specifications indicated on the permitted plans and construction
documents are being implemented at foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing,
mechanical, and any other required inspections, and prior to issuance of a final
certificate of occupancy. Additional inspections may be conducted as needed to ensure
compliance with this chapter. During the course of construction and following
completion of the project, the city may require the applicant to provide information and
documents showing use of products, equipment, and materials specified on the permitted
plans and documents.
If, at any stage of construction, the Building Official determines that the project is not
being constructed in accordance with the permitted plans and documents, a Stop Order
may be issued pursuant to CVMC Section 15.06.060.D. At the discretion of the Building
Official, the stop work order may apply to the portion of the project impacted by
noncompliance or to the entire project. The stop work order shall remain in effect until
the Building Official determines that the project will be brought into compliance with
the permitted plans and documents and this Chapter.
Prior to final building approval or issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the Building
Official shall review the information submitted by the applicant and determine whether
the applicant has constructed the project in accordance with the permitted plans and
documents. If the Building Official determines that the applicant has failed to construct
the project in accordance with the permitted plans and documents, then the final building
approval and final certificate of occupancy may be withheld, until the Building Official
determines that the project is in compliance with this Chapter.
Ordinance No. 3140
Page 5
Section 15.12.040 Appeal
The Board of Appeals and Advisors as established by Chapter 2.26 is hereby designated
to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions, or determinations made by the Building Official
relative to the application and interpretation of this Chapter. The Board shall render all decisions
and findings in writing to the Building Official and provide a copy to the appellant. The decision
of the Board is final.
SECTION III. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This ordinance will take effect and be in force thirty days after final passage.
Presented by
teary I'~albe , P.)E., AICp
Deputy Ci Manager/Development Services
Director
Approved as to form by
Ordinance No. 3140
Page 6
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista,
California, this 6th day of October 2009, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers: Bensoussan, Castaneda, Ramirez, Thompson and
Cox
NAYS: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
Cheryl Cox, yor
ATTEST:
onna R. Norris, C , Ci y Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
CITY OF CHULA VISTA
I, Donna R. Norris, City Clerk of Chula Vista, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing
Ordinance No. 3140 had its first reading at a regular meeting held on the 15th day of September
2009 and its second reading and adoption at a regular meeting of said City Council held on the
6th day of October 2009; and was duly published in summary form in accordance with the
requirements of state law and the City Charter.
Executed this 6th day of October 2009.
~ 6~~.~
Donna R. Norris, CMC; City Clerk