San Francisco Green Building

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is really taking off in San Francisco because construction has to do it (which is awesome). San Fran is definitely LEEDing the way and a great opportunity once I'm finished with the next six months of interning... hooray!

Here is the first paragraph to just give you an idea of the new policy adoption:

"Ordinance amending the San Francisco Building Code by adding Chapter 13C to impose green building requirements on newly constructed residential buildings, newly constructed commercial buildings that are 5,000 gross square feet or more, alterations to new or existing commercial interiors that are 25,000 gross square feet or more in area, and major alterations to existing buildings that are 25,000 gross square feet or more in area, where interior finishes are removed and significant upgrades to structural and mechanical, electrical and/or plumbing systems are proposed; exempting City projects, which are covered by Chapter 7 of the San Francisco Environment Code; providing that the requirements become effective 90 days after enactment of the ordinance and increase over the following five-year period; adopting findings, including environmental findings and findings required by California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5."

Read the rest here. Building codes can be interesting!