Codes and Standards TopicLong-Range MWELO Options

Demand Management MeasuresIndependent Technical Panel

June 8, 2015

Catherine ElvertCity of Palo Alto Utilities

Communications Manager

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About Palo Alto 60,000+ population

+ 15,000 Stanford University

100,000+ daytime population

Full service municipal utilities

Climate Zone 4

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Palo Alto’s Building Stock20,000 +/- structures Annual Building Permit

activity:3,000 – 3,500 Building

Permits1.5M sf new construction750,000 sf renovations$300M permit valuation 125 – 150 new homes

Average SFD landscape area 5,000 sf

MWELO ImplementationHow does it work?

Collaboration2009 - Developed a draft Ordinance

Based on coordination with regional groupsReviewed draft Ordinance with multiple City departmentsUpdated CPA Ordinance “at least as effective” as DWR model, as

required by lawCapture greater water savings by extending to more projects

Residential, as required by law;Some requirements for all residential and non-residential landscapes;Plus opportunity to provide education and BMPs Revised to meet needs of Palo Alto’s community

Permitting process through the City’s Green Building ProgramVaried requirements based on project scope Adoption early 2010

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Palo Alto’s Green Building Program (GBP)

The City’s Green Building Program (GBP) began in 2008.

The GBP requires all new construction or major renovations meet either Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Build It Green (BIG) GreenPoint Rated criteria.

Utilities staff have coordinated with the Planning Department on providing New Construction rebates for residents and businesses that exceed these standards.

DWR Ordinance CPA CALGreen AdoptionMeets or

Exceeds DWRLandscape > 2,500 sf All projects XLandscape > 2,500 sf Landscape > 1,500 sf X

Required Required X

Required Required XLWUP encouraged LWUP default to meet lower Eto X

Hydrozone Hydrozone XN/A No invasive species X

70% EToNew construction max 55%, renovations max 60% ETo

X

≥ 71% ≥ 70% XNo overspray or runoff No overspray or runoff XSlope ≥ 25%, setback

within 24 inches of non-permeable surface

Area ≤ 8 ft wide, slope ≥ 25%, setback within 24 inches of non-

permeable surface X

Equipped with moisture/weather-based controllers, rain sensors

WBIC & rain sensors-- new construction > 1,000 sf, renovations > 1,500 sf

X

8 PM to 10 AM N/A

Not requiredNew construction > 1,000 sf,

renovations > 1,500 sfX

Use when available Required infrastructure and plans X

New Construction

Landscape and Irrigation Design Plans

Non-Residential Water Efficient Landscape Standards

Equivalencies

Eto

Separate Metering

Recycled Water

Renovation

Water Budget

Irrigation Times

Planting Specifications

Irrigation Efficiency

Automatic Irrigation Controllers

Low-volume Irrigation

Water waste prevention

DWR OrdinanceCPA CALGreen

AdoptionMeets or

Exceeds DWRHomeowner > 5,000 sf All projects > 2,500 sf XDeveloper > 2,500 sf All projects > 2,500 sf X

Required15 points from Landscape

Section GPR ChecklistX

Required Water Budget X

N/A ≤ 10% to 33% of total area X

≥ 8 ft wide, slope ≤ 25% ≥ 8 ft wide, slope ≤ 10% X

LWUP encouraged 75% drought tolerant and/or

nativeX

Hydrozone N/AN/A No invasive species XN/A No shearing XN/A Mulch ≥ 3 inches X

N/ACompost ≥ 2 inches in top

6 - 12 inchesX

N/A Plant shade trees X70% ETo 70%, option for ≤ 50% Eto X

N/A60% projects > $25,000 & >

2,500 sfX

System efficiency ≥ 71%Low-flow, drip, bubblers, or

sprink lersNo overspray or runoff No overspray or runoff X

WBIC & rain sensorsHE system with WBIC &

rain sensorsX

8 PM to 10 AM N/ANot required Submetering for irrigation X

N/A Rainwater harvesting XUse when available Recycled Wastewater X

Landscape and Irrigation Design

Water Budget

Turf Limitations

Other Non-Turf Planting

Specifications

Residential Water Efficient Landscape Standards

Equivalencies

New ConstructionRenovation

Irrigation TimesSeparate Metering

Alternative Recycled Water

Reference Evapotranspiration

(ETo)

IE

Water Waste

Irrigation Controls

MWELO ImplementationHow does it work?

CALGreen Mandatory Measures, Tiers 1 and 2.Landscape area of any size (new) to 1,000 sf (rehab)Mandatory measures plus tiers 1 and 2 may include:

water budget, calculations and landscape plans, separate meters, weather-based irrigation controllers, minimum 70% irrigation efficiency, water waste prevention plans for recycled water use.

Landscape area greater than 1,500 square feet must also meet potable water reduction ETo 55% - 60%

MWELO ImplementationHow does it work?

In line with City’s sustainability and water conservation efforts, Compliments other ordinances such as

Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (AB 1881)Storm Water, Water Waste Reduction, Recycled Water, Energy Efficiency Plan, Zero Waste, Green Building, Integrated Pest Management, Climate Protection Plan, and The City’s pledge to support Bay Friendly landscaping.

Helps to achieve City’s 20% by 2020 target

MWELO ImplementationHow does it work?

Build-it-Green GreenPoint RatedBiG has modified GPR to conform to CALGreenNew SFR & MFR checklists will be available by 01/01/11For comparison between CALGreen & BiG GPR, see:

http://www.aiacc.org/site/docs/CALGreen_Residential_GPR_LEED_Comparison_v1-0%20Sep01.pdf

LEEDNational rating systemWill not be modified to conform to CALGreenDifficult to determine overall equivalency with CALGreenSome analyses suggest LEED Silver ~ CALGreen Tier 2For comparison between CALGreen & LEED, see:

http://www.aiacc.org/site/docs/CALGreen_NonResidential_LEED_Comparison_%20v1-0%20Sep01.pdf

MWELO ImplementationHow does it work?

Maintain existing Green Building standardsRely on BiG GPR for residential projectsModified Tier 1 & 2 required for non-residential

projects

Consolidate sustainability requirements found throughout PAMC into CALGreen

Incorporate performance standards (reviews/audits)

MWELO ImplementationHow does it work?

Water Efficient Design ChecklistWater Budget Calculation – OR –Turf Grass Limitation

Landscape & Irrigation Design PlansET ControllersDedicated MetersPost-Installation AuditMaintenance Schedule

MWELO ImplementationHow does it work?

Training – agency staff, designers, contractors, ownersPress ReleasesBill insertsWebsite informationEmail blasts, informational piecesProvide materials to other interested stakeholders

Environmental groups/NGOs, professional groupsWorkshops with BAWSCA and SCVWDEducational materials for best management practices at Development

Center

MWELO ImplementationHow does it work?

• Recycled Water• CALGreen will move to the Building Code the current Recycled Water

section of the Municipal Code dealing with construction and renovation.• All applications for permits within the recycled water project area and all

projects with landscape area greater than 1,500 square feet must include infrastructure and plans for recycled water use when available. New nonresidential buildings and facilities are required to dual-plumb for potable and recycled water use.

MWELO ImplementationHow does it work?

o Planning and Utilities Department coordinated an inter-departmental team to work on the code.

o September 1, 2010: Planning Commission (PTC)o September 1, 2010: Utilities Advisory Commission o September 20, 2010: City Council Study Sessiono October 13, 2010: PTC formal review and recommendation

of Municipal Code Chapter 18.44 changes o November 8, 2010: City Council review and adoption of

ordinance

MWELO ImplementationHow does it work?

Able to condition approval of building permit or certificate of occupancy upon compliance with Ordinance,

Already conduct on-site surveys for compliance through the Green Building Program,

Can impose fines and penalties for non-compliance through Administrative Penalty Schedule,

Can record violations of over-watering, andMay monitor water use to ensure compliance.

MWELO ReportingHow does it work?

Sustainability Environmental Assessment ReportTo City Council

MWELO OptionsPresenter Recommendations

Work with local municipality Planning and Building Departments

Enforcement triggerLocal landscape industry contactsStreamline Process

Regional templatesSelf certificationPerformance based options

Incentives – graywater, recycled water, green roofs