New residential and commercial buildings in San Mateo County areas have minimum LEED and Build it Green level requirements plus incentives for more.
Homeowners and developers who use green building techniques like environmentally-friendly materials in the unincorporated area will speed through the approval process faster under a new program approved by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday to encourage the practice.
The new policy, spearheaded by Supervisor Mark Church, awards points for green options used during new construction and remodels. After a minimum of 50 points is achieved, builders will receive incentives like fast-tracked application processing from 10 to 12 weeks down to four weeks when 75 to 100 points is reached. After 100 points, the county guarantees to reduce building inspection from three to four working days to two working days.
It's a good baseline ordinance. The minimum levels are modest - a good development by a train station for example would qualify even if no other green elements were present but the expedited permitting for higher levels is very good.
Hat tip to Gladwyn for the update. More at the San Mateo Daily Journal. Updated: The San Mateo County Times carries an article with additional detail.
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