Napa County CalGreen

Napa County CalGreen Requirements

The Napa County CalGreen requirements are straightforward when compared to other North Bay building departments. Tier 1 compliance is not required for either residential or commercial projects. However, they do require that an ICC certified CalGreen Special Inspector be involved in the project. The CalGreen Inspector must review the permit documents and verify that all of the mandatory checklist requirements are included in the design. The inspector then signs the Design Verification form which is submitted along with the permit documents.

Additionally, the CalGreen Special Inspector must visit the site at the end of the project. They will verify that all items on the checklist have been installed according to the permitted plans. They then sign the Implementation Verification form that is required for your occupancy permit. Again, this applies to both residential and commercial construction projects.

The CalGreen Checklist

It is important to understand three things about the CalGreen Checklist. 

The first is that the checklist is a commitment that is being made with the Napa County building department. Each item checked becomes an obligation that the project must include. Failure to install any item on the list is cause for the building inspector to deny an occupancy permit. This can cause a costly delay for the home owner or building owner.

Second, it is important to understand that the checklist does not place an obligation on the contractor. The checklist shows the building department how the project will comply with the code. The design drawings and specifications must describe the CalGreen items called for on the checklist. 

Last, the Napa County CalGreen checklist does not have all the code requirements on it.  You cannot rely on your building department’s checklist for full compliance with the code. Therefore it is in your best interest to hire a CalGreen specialist who can ensure all of the code requirements are met.

The CalGreen Special Inspection

Your Napa County CalGreen requirements include one or more site visits by a certified CalGreen Special Inspector. Typically when you hire a CalGreen checklist consultant, they will also include the special inspector services in their fee proposal.

Some companies providing CalGreen checklist services (and most architects) don’t have special inspectors on staff. If you get a quote that excludes the special inspector services, this can cost you more money in the long run. Make sure you hire a company that will do both. They will be able to guide you, and your contractor, through the CalGreen process to ensure you don’t have any costly surprises at the end of construction. 

CalGreen Commissioning

CalGreen commissioning is required on all new commercial projects over 10,000 square feet. It is important to understand that this requirement does NOT mean you have to pay for a full-blown commissioning process. The California Green Building Standards Code defines what commissioning is required.

Here’s our challenge. Call any specialized commissioning company and get a quote from them. Then call us and get our fee. I can guarantee you will be shocked by the difference. The difference is only paying for what the CalGreen Code requires!

CalGreen and Napa County Building Division

The Napa County Building Division is the agency that regulates the CalGreen Code requirements in Napa County. The Napa County CalGreen regulations apply to both residential and commercial construction new constructions as well as to certain alterations and additions.

If your project is a new residential project you can view this link to see the permit submittal checklist.

For commercial project the permit submittal checklist is located here.

All new and renovation projects in Napa County require a CalGreen permit submittal. This applies to both residential and commercial projects.

In addition, Napa County is one of the few jurisdictions in the state that require a CalGreen Checklist for unoccupied buildings such as detached garages, sheds, barns, and even swimming pools. Technically, the CalGreen Code does not exclude unoccupied buildings but most jurisdictions do not enforce CalGreen for these types of structures.

The Napa County over-sight of CalGreen permit submittals is more stringent than many other jurisdictions. In order to avoid delays in your permit approval it can be important to have a CalGreen specialist supporting your project. We will work with your project architect to ensure the CalGreen submittal is properly coordinated and documented. At CalGreen Energy Services we have developed stream-lined procedures to provide you with a professional submittal, in an economical manner.

We Work Directly With the Napa County Building Division

If necessary, we will deal directly with the Napa County Building Division to ensure your project does not get unfairly burdened with inapplicable CalGreen requirements. THIS is the difference a CalGreen specialist can bring to your project. Fewer requirements mean lower construction costs, fewer constructability issues and fewer change orders. At CalGreen Energy Services we can save your project time and money – and we can do it at rates comparable to our competitors.

When You Need Your Sign-off NOW!

We understand the tight schedules everyone is under these days. Architects, contractors and building owners are all under pressure to submit permit documents quickly. The last thing any project needs is to be held up waiting for the CalGreen Checklist or CalGreen Special Inspector sign-off.

The construction industry is as busy at it has ever been in Napa County. The upcoming year promises millions of dollars in new construction. This demand places the need for high caliber professionals to ensure projects are permitted right the first time.

As specialists in the CalGreen process we can help ensure the project meets both its schedule and it’s need for permit approval. Simply getting the project “out the door” doesn’t help the owner if you end up with multiple permit back-checks.

We have streamlined our CalGreen Consulting and CalGreen Special Inspector processes to meet the needs of the construction industry. We are also Certified Commissioning Agents that can manage your CalGreen Commissioning requirements as well.

We respond quickly to emails and voicemails. We will put together a proposal for you right away and can typically start on your project within a couple of days.

Email or call us now to see how we can help you:

Email: gary@calgreenenergyservices.com

Phone: 707-328-5299

 

CalGreen Commissioning Services