Sacramento City CalGreen
Sacramento City CalGreen requirements are similar to elsewhere in the state. The Sacramento Municipal Code has adopted the current version of the California Green Building Standards Code (aka CalGreen) under section 15.04.050. 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.
For commercial (non-residential buildings) building additions and alterations the Sacramento City CalGreen 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.
Note that as of the 2022 code adoption the city municipal code was amended to require all newly constructed nonresidential buildings that are three stories or less shall be all-electric buildings.
Which CalGreen Checklist to Use?
The Sacramento City Building Department has separate checklists for residential, nonresidential, and nonresidential additions and alterations projects.
The checklist is a commitment that is being made with the Sacramento City 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.
The Sacramento City CalGreen checklists do 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.
No Delays with Your CalGreen Permit
We are extremely knowledgeable in the City of Sacramento CalGreen requirements and the over-all permitting process. We can help you fill out the CalGreen forms, assist in selecting the right sustainable goals for your project and budget. We will lead you through the permitting process – all the way to beneficial occupancy.
We can help you meet your Sacramento project deadline by providing prompt CalGreen Checklist and CalGreen Special 
Inspector sign-off for your Sacramento Community Development permit submittal.
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 Sacramento. The upcoming year promises hundreds of 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 backchecks.
We have streamlined our CalGreen Consulting and CalGreen Special Inspector processes to meet the needs of the construction industry.
We can manage your CalGreen Commissioning and Title 24 requirements that are reuqired for all new commercial buildings over 10,000 square feet.
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:
Gary Welch
Email: gary@calgreenenergyservices.com
Phone: 707-328-5299
For more information on Sacramento CalGreen requirements see the Community Development page here:
