Residential Requirements

New single and multi-family dwellings and additions of over 1,000 square feet to existing dwellings are required to select from a wide range of green building techniques and measures in order to achieve minimum green point totals using the Build It Green Rating System applicable to the project, and associated GreenPoint Checklist published by Build It Green.

New Single-Family Dwellings, Duplexes, and Habitable Accessory Structures

Project Tiers Compliance Thresholds Verification Rating System Publishing Agency 
Tier 1:
1,750 sq. ft. or less
50 points City Certified New Home Construction Green Building Guidelines Build It Green
Tier 2:
more than 1,750 sq. ft.
55 points, plus 2 points for every additional 1000 sq. ft. City Certified New Home Construction Green Building Guidelines Build It Green
Additions to Existing Single-Family Dwellings and Duplexes 
Project Tiers Compliance Thresholds Verification Rating System Publishing Agency 
Tier 1:
Subject to Design or Admin. Design Review and less than 1,000 sq. ft.
Voluntary Submission of Green Building Checklist Existing Home Green Building Guidelines Build It Green
Tier 2:
Over 1,000 sq. ft.
50 points New Home*


City Certified*


New Home Construction Green Building Guidelines


Build It Green

50 points Whole House Existing Home Green Point Rated Existing Home Green Building Guidelines Build It Green
New Multi-Family Dwelling
Project Tiers Compliance Thresholds Verification Rating System Publishing Agency 
Tier 1:
All projects
60 points City Certified Multi-Family Green Building Guidelines Build It Green


Conformance to the Green Building requirements will be verified in the course of the existing planning and building permitting process. However, the following additional submittal materials will be required.

Starting May 15, 2010 all design review applications must include a completed green building checklist appropriate to the project type and all graphic materials must reflect those green building measures identified on the checklist that will impact the site layout or building exterior.

The building permit application must also include a completed green building checklist printed on the plan set with an index signed by the project architect identifying each detail drawings, specification or general note that demonstrates means of adherence with each checklist measure claimed.

The Planning and Building Services Department will verify that all measures claimed in the project checklist are implemented in the course of the normal plan review and inspection. The project architect or designer will also be required to verify compliance under his or her signature prior to issuance of an occupancy permit.