Bakersfield and CalGreen Code Compliance

Bakersfield and CalGreen Code Compliance

Bakersfield CalGreen code compliance requirements are similar to elsewhere in the state. The Bakersfield Municipal Code has adopted the current version of the California Green Building Standards Code (aka CalGreen) under Title 15.19.010. The adopted code applies to all new residential and commercial buildings.

Compliance with the CalGreen Code is required for additions or alterations that fall within certain requirements. Residential compliance is required if the addition or alteration increases the “conditioned area, volume, or space of the residence.” (CalGreen Code section 301.1.1)

Let’s break this code language down. First, the term “conditioned” refers to a space that is heated or cooled.
The building “area” means an increase in the building’s over-all square footage. For example, an interior remodel does not increase the over- all square footage.

The building “volume” means an increase in the building’s height. This would apply if you were increasing the height of a room in the building but not increasing the square footage of the building. For example, creating a “great room” out of your existing living room by either raising the ceiling or raising the roof.

The building “size” means an increase in the building’s – well I’m not really sure since the size would also include the building’s area or the volume. If there is an example where an increase in the building’s size did not include an increase in area or volume, I don’t know of one. The building code is not mistake-free!

If you are simply doing an interior remodel of a space that is already heated and cooled, you do not need to comply with the Cal Green Code.

However, if your remodel includes an area that was not previously heated or cooled, even if you are not increasing the area of the home, then you will need to comply. However, if you work in other jurisdictions, you may find they will ask for CalGreen documentation even though it is technically not required.

For commercial (non-residential buildings) building additions and alterations the Bakersfield CalGreen municipal code applies to projects that add 1,000 square feet or more, or the building alterations have a permit valuation of $200,000 or above.

How to Document CalGreen Compliance

Bakersfield CalGreen Code compliance is a little different than compliance with any of the other twelve California  Building Code Parts.  In general, for eleven of the twelve parts you simply ensure your design applies with the code and make appropriate notations on your plans. You do the same with the CalGreen Code but there is an additional step that is required. 

The extra step includes filling out a CalGreen Mandatory Measures Checklist and putting it on a sheet in your permit plan set. The key to this process is making sure you submit the correct CalGreen checklist. While this should be straightforward, determining which checklist to use in which jurisdiction can be a frustrating challenge. 

Separate checklists are required for residential and nonresidential projects. This is because the code has different requirements that apply to the two main categories of buildings.

There are a number of publicly available checklists. These include:

• Checklists published by the local jurisdiction
• Checklists published by the American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• Checklist published by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
• Checklists that are located in the CalGreen Code Appendix

The City of Bakersfield Building Department does not publish their own CalGreen checklists. If you review their website you will see that they make no mention of which checklist to use. When a building department doesn’t publish which checklist to use, it does not necessarily mean they don’t have a preference. In this case it is recommended you call the permit technician and ask if they have a preference.

We have done many projects in Bakersfield. The city does not have a preference as to which checklist to use. In this case we prefer to use the HCD checklist for residential projects and the AIA checklist for nonresidential projects. 

While the city will accept the Residential AIA checklist, we prefer not to use it for single-family residential projects. The reason is that the checklist covers a wide variety of residential projects including apartment buildings and hotels. Many requirements in this checklist will not apply to your new home, remodel, addition, or ADU. This can lead to confusion in filling out the checklist and possibly adding items into your project that are not required. 

In addition, we see many architects simply inserting an un-edited AIA checklist into the permit set. This is the worst possible scenario. It will create delays, and possibly change orders, right when you are trying to close out the project and occupy your new space.

We prefer the HCD checklist for single-family residential projects, additions, alterations, and ADU’s. The HCD lists every possible code requirement, in detail on the checklist. This allows a knowledgeable Calgreen specialist to note exactly which requirements apply to your project. And which ones do not apply. It avoids any possible confusion during permit review and the final building inspection. 

Residential and Commercial CalGreen Services

Our ICC certified CalGreen specialists can provide your Bakersfield CalGreen Code compliance checklist for your commercial and residential projects. Whether you’re building an ADU, a new home, or designing a large commercial project we can guide you through the process while saving you money. 

Call or email us today. We will provide a written proposal that includes your total cost and a specific delivery date for your permit plans. We have a two-day turnaround on CalGreen checklists for your building permit application.

At CalGreen Energy Services we are specialists in the CalGreen Code. CalGreen is our only business. If you have a CalGreen question, please feel free to give us a call. We are happy to share our knowledge.   

Call us today and let us show you how we can help with your project.

Gary Welch

Email: gary@calgreenenergyservices.com

Phone: 707-328-5299