Public Buildings Core Service Area has a proven track record of implementing
sustainable practices in the design and construction of capital projects.
Through the implementation of the County's Green Building Policy, new buildings
with an area of 10,000 square feet or more have achieved a minimum of Silver
Certification under U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) rating system and many have exceeded Silver
Certification. As of June 2013, we have completed more than 14 buildings that
have been certified under the LEED rating system.
The County's Green Policy also requires that all capital projects comply with
the County's Low Impact Development (LID) Standards Manual, and the use of
drought tolerant plant species. The implementation of LID addresses storm
water runoff and enhances groundwater quality, and the drought-tolerant plant
species ordinance helps to reduce its use of potable water. Since January
2010, all capital projects must also comply with the California Green Building
Standards Code (CalGreen), which requires that projects meet minimum energy
efficiency and potable water use standards.