Sustainable Development
The modern consumer is becoming more green savvy every day. Whether they are in the market for a new home, or looking to operate a business, consumers are beginning to favor green amenities that help the environment and save money. Government entities are beginning to expect green building elements in projects they consider for approval. Moreover, State legislation has mandated the consideration of new development’s impact on climate change.
Sustainable development seeks to reduce the impacts on the natural environment, enhance a sense of place, encourage walkablility and access to transit, reduce demand on water and energy, and maintain economic vitality.
Keeping up with quickly changing consumer preferences and the State’s dynamic regulatory framework can be a bit intimidating. The purpose of this page is to help you navigate the maze of green development issues and make it easier to incorporate them into your projects.
Sustainable Development Programs in Santa Clarita
The City of Santa Clarita is currently implementing a variety of sustainable development programs designed to enhance the quality of life in our community. Working closely with builders and contractors, these programs will foster greater environmental sensitivity and result in a more marketable product.
- Community Character and Design Guidelines: These guidelines provide a framework for sustainable development in Santa Clarita for single-family, multi-family, commercial, mixed use and industrial projects.
- Mixed Use Ordinance: This ordinance is essential to sustainable development within Santa Clarita by helping to create a mixture of commercial and residential uses that emphasize a sense of place, pedestrianism and public transportation. Incentives include allowances for increased density, floor-area-ratios and building heights. (Municipal Code Section 17.16.065).
- Non-Motorized Master Plan: The Non-Motorized Master Plan focuses on connections to transit, safe routes to schools that are not automobile dependent, and the relationship between trails and development. This plan impacts the design and connectivity of these systems throughout the City.
- Ridgeline Preservation / Hillside Development Ordinance: The purposes of these ordinances are to protect the natural ridgelines within the City and to ensure positive site design. These ordinances apply to any project in hillside areas with an average cross slope of ten percent or more. (Municipal Code Sections 17.16.055 and 17.80.050).
- Oak Tree Preservation Ordinance: This ordinance provides regulatory measures designed to preserve oak trees within the City. The many stands of native oaks within the City provide a vital piece of the community’s natural character. (Municipal Code Section 17.17.090).
- Construction and Demolition Ordinance: The City’s Construction and Demolition Ordinance requires non-exempt projects to divert 50% of inert waste and 50% of construction and demolition waste from landfills. (Municipal Code Section 15.46).
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit: The municipal storm water NPDES permit issued by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board requires the development and implementation of a program addressing storm water pollution issues in development.
- Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board: For information regarding the Los Angeles County NPDES Permit.
- Development Planning for Storm Water Management: This manual outlines preparation of the Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan. Download it for free.
- Manuals and Handbooks: Download manuals and handbooks containing Best Management Practices for construction sties.
- California Water Quality Control Board: For state-wide information regarding the NPDES program.
One Valley One Vision
The One Valley One Vision process began in 2000 with the goal of providing a new general plan document for the entire Santa Clarita Valley. The new general plan will provide a blueprint for continued sustainable development into the future.
Green Building Programs
Recently, several green building programs have gained notoriety as industry standards for sustainable building design. Whether you’re building a new home or proposing a commercial center, the following programs will reduce your project’s impact on the environment and satisfy the modern consumer.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED): Developed by the United States Green Building Council, LEED has become the most recognizable green building program in the Country.
- Become a LEED Certified Professional: A LEED credential provides employers, policymakers, and other stakeholders with assurances of an individual’s current level of competence.
- Green Point Rated: The Green Point Rated system was created by Build It Green, a non-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy and resource efficient building practices in California.
- Training Programs: Several training programs are offered by Build It Green. Programs are available for all levels of expertise and focus on both new and existing buildings.
- California Green Builder: This program encourages partnerships between builders and local governments to build cost-effective, green homes that benefit homebuyers and the community at large.
- Certification and Training Programs: Several training programs are offered by the Building Industry Institute. Programs are available for all levels of expertise and focus on both new and existing buildings.
- Home Energy Rating System: The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) program provides verification and diagnostic testing of the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings.
- Certification and Training Programs: Several training programs are offered for individuals to become a certified HERS rater.
- Locate a Certifed HERS Rater: Find a certified HERS rater to assist you with your project.
Changes To Title 24
In 2010, the State of California’s Building Standards Commission will adopt new “Green Building” standards to be incorporated into Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. These new standards will go into effect on January 1, 2011.
- 2008 Green Building Standards Code: Download a copy for free.
- 2008 Energy Efficiency Standards: Download a copy for free.
- Presentations from the September 21st, 2009 Workshop: Download the presentations delivered by the Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development. Also, download a summary of the code changes to Title 24.
- Draft 2010 Green Building Standards Code: Download a free copy.
- A presentation made on May 7, 2010 summarizing the changes to the draft Green Building Standards Code is also available to download.
- City of Santa Clarita Building and Safety Division: For more information regarding building in the City of Santa Clarita.
Legislation
Keep up with important legislation regarding sustainable development.
- State Legislation – Greenhouse Gas:
- Assembly Bill 32: Requires greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020.
- Senate Bill 97: Requires the Governor’s Office of Planning Research to establish California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines for greenhouse gas emissions.
- State Legislation – Land Use:
- Senate Bill 375: Requires vehicle miles traveled to be reduced through local land use patterns.
- Senate Bill 575: Clean-up legislation for Senate Bill 375.
- State Legislation – Water:
- Assembly Bill 1881: Requires the adoption of a model landscape irrigation ordinance.
Temporary Bin And Rolloff Box Service Franchised
Beginning January 1, 2006 residents and businesses of Santa Clarita who wish to utilize a temporary waste bin or roll off box service in the City must choose between one of the companies awarded a franchise agreement by the Santa Clarita City Council. Go to the City’s Environmental Services’ waste hauler page to find out more:
Construction & Demolition Recycling Ordinance
On June 28, 2005, the City passed a Construction and Demolition (C&D) Ordinance (05-09) requiring all new construction projects valued over $500,000 and all tenant improvements valued over $100,000 to recycle a minimum of 50% of all inert materials and 50% of all other materials. Go here for more information.
Recyclers Database
Recycle your C&D materials
Looking for facilities that collect specific types of construction and demolition debris for reuse or recycling? This site enables you to search a database of these facilities provided by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB).
