Table of Contents

Green Building

The city’s municipal code adopts the California Green Buildings Standards Code with amendments. It requires electric vehicle charger stations for new hotels (§4.106.4.3), multifamily residential buildings (§4.106.4.2), and non-residential and mixed-use buildings (§5.106.5.3). 

Solar Energy

The city's zoning ordinance protects solar access rights by prohibiting structures, fences, or vegetation (except parkway trees) on neighboring parcels from shading existing solar energy system. The Review Authority may modify if this unduly limits property development as envisioned by the general plan. If the owner is willing to move the solar energy system, the neighbor may be required to pay relocation costs (Sec. 19.20.170.A). Roof-mounted solar energy equipment must be placed in least visible location and integrated into building design if possible; ground-mounted systems must be screened from public view (Sec. 19.20.170.B). For cultural resources, a solar energy system installation does not require a certificate of appropriateness as long as it complies with the standards of Sec. 19.20.170.B (Sec. 19.58.090.G). A zone clearance is required to authorize solar energy system installations (Sec. 19.42.020.A.9). Design guidelines for commercial and public use design state that building orientation and configuration should take advantage of solar access (Sec. G-12.040.D.2). The zoning code defines "solar energy system" (Sec. 19.90.020). The city has also adopted a green building ordinance that requires new construction and remodels to provide a roof layout plan showing how future solar PV systems could be accommodated and must install conduit to accommodate future PV system installation (Sec. 19.20.060.A.3).