Welcome to the new "Building Green in Burlingame" site. On December 1, 2008, the Burlingame City Council approved a resolution to encourage green building in new residential construction and will require a green building checklist to be completed as part of the permit process for residential construction projects. After January 1, 2009, applicants for new residential construction or remodel permits who are required to complete a "Waste Reduction Plan" will also complete a "Single Family GreenPoint Checklist" prior to permit issuance which will be used to track green features incorporated into a home.
The completed and signed checklist must be provided at first submittal of plans to the Planning Division for projects requiring Planning Commission approval. If Planning Commission approval is not required, the applicant will submit the checklist directly to the Building Division at the time of plan submittal. Applicants will be required to achieve a minimum of one point (or one green feature) on the Checklist.
Permit Requirements
What is Green Building?
Permit Requirements
The City partners with Build It Green, a non-profit organization committed to promoting green building. Permit applicants are required to complete the Build It Green GreenPoint Checklist (below) relevant to their project and include the checklist with their permit application.
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Solar has never been cheaper or easier—in October 2008, the City reduced its residential solar permit fee to $0 from the previous range of $318-$416. Also in October, the U.S. Government passed unprecedented solar legislation as part of H.R. 1424 - the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Though previously limited to $2000 and not available to those paying the AMT, the new legislation approved a Federal Income Tax Credit of 30% of the cost of your solar system with no cap or AMT restriction! |
GreenPoint Rated Existing Home Checklist GreenPoint Rated New Single Family Home Checklist GreenPoint Rated New Multi Family Home Checklist
For free Green Building assistance, building professionals and the general public can utilize Build It Green's helpful Ask an Expert Hotline by visiting the website or calling (510) 845-0472, ext. 2 to ask technical green building questions.
Additional Resources:
RecycleWorks of San Mateo County
Burlingame Planning and Building Departments
Northern California Solar Energy Association
What is Green Building?
Green building is a "whole-systems" approach for designing, constructing and maintaining buildings in a manner that conserves energy, water and material resources, and creates buildings that are healthier, safer, and more comfortable to live in than ordinary structures. Common green building practices include:
- Using the sun and wind to the building's advantage for natural heating, cooling, and lighting along with energy-efficient insulation and ventilation systems.
- Using techniques that conserve water such as landscaping with native plants.
- Building with high-quality, environmentally-friendly materials that last longer than conventional materials. One example of such material is wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which ensures that the lumber is harvested from sustainable managed forests.
- Using recycled content materials such as granite countertops as well as salvaged materials such as restored architectural columns.
- Reducing, reusing and recycling the maximum amount of construction waste.
- Maintaining healthy indoor air quality by eliminating or reducing the use or products containing formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds.
- Using energy-efficient building techniques and appliances as well as water-conserving plumbing, techniques and appliances.
What about Green Building Costs? Recent studies show that building green reduces operating costs--especially in energy and water--and green design actually results in life cycle savings of 20% of total costs. Initial construction costs are 0 to 2% more--minimal when green building concepts are incorporated early in the design and planning phases.
See also what you can do to: