City of San Diego - Sustainable Building Policy

June 23, 2024

Summary

The City of San Diego’s Sustainable Building Policy is directed by Council Policy 900-14. The policy contains regulations regarding building measures, private-sector incentives, health and resource conservation, outreach and education, and implementation.

Among the directives is a commitment City-owned, occupied or leased new construction and major renovation projects must meet LEED "Silver" Level Certification. In addition to achieving LEED Certification, Council Policy 900-14 states that City-owned and occupied new construction and major renovation projects of buildings containing more than 1,000 square feet of conditioned space must meet the energy efficiency requirements of San Diego Council Policy 900-03, Zero Emissions Municipal Buildings and Operations Policy.

Policy 900-03 requires that city-owned buildings must take actions to achieve net zero emissions by setting Energy Use Intensity (EUI) targets, specifying electric sources for space conditioning, water heating, cooking,
lighting, and all other non-emergency functions, offset energy use with renewable energy systems, and provide parking spaces equipped with EV chargers. City departments must also develop plans for the elimination of all fossil fuel combustion and the provision of EV chargers for all light duty vehicle fleets by 2035.

Additionally, Council Policy 900-18 requires the City of San Diego to purchase energy efficient equipment. All energy-consuming equipment purchased must meet either Energy Star specifications or criterion that puts products in the upper 25% of energy-efficiency, based on criteria established by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	Local
Category:	Regulatory Policy
State:	California
Incentive Type:	Energy Standards for Public Buildings
Web Site:	https://www.sandiego.gov/sustainability-mobility
Administrator:
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Solar - Passive Solar Water Heat Geothermal Electric Solar Thermal Electric Solar Photovoltaics Wind (All) Biomass Hydroelectric Geothermal Heat Pumps Municipal Solid Waste Fuel Cells using Non-Renewable Fuels Landfill Gas Tidal Wave Ocean Thermal Daylighting Clothes Washers Dishwasher Refrigerators/Freezers Dehumidifiers Water Heaters Lighting Heat pumps Air conditioners Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building Other EE Wind (Small) Hydroelectric (Small) Geothermal Direct-Use Anaerobic Digestion Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels Level-2 Electric Vehicle Service Equipment Direct Current Fast Charging Equipment
Green Building Requirement:	All new City facilities and major building renovation projects (over 1,000 sq. ft.) achieve LEED "Silver" Level Certification and be constructed to be 15% more energy efficient than California's building code
Equipment Efficiency Requirement:	All energy-consuming equipment purchased must meet either Energy Star specifications or criterion that puts products in the upper 25% of energy-efficiency, based on criteria established by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Renewable Energy Requirement:	All New Construction and Major Renovation projects must obtain 100% of their energy, except for emergency generation, from zero-carbon or renewable source

Authorities

Name:	City of San Diego Council Policy 900-14
Effective Date:	05/18/2010

Name:	City of San Diego Council Policy 900-18
Effective Date:	06/19/2001

Name:

City of San Diego Council Policy 900-03

Contact

Name:	Information Specialist
Organization:	Environmental Services Department
Address:	9601 Ridgehaven Ct. San Diego CA 92123
Phone:	(858) 694-7000
Email:	energy@sandiego.gov

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.