The City of Palo Alto has several programs to help you through the construction, remodeling, or development process in an environmentally sensitive way.
Green Building
The City of Palo Alto and the Architectural Review Board is committed to sustainable development by promoting the use of green building products, methods and design in buildings throughout the city. Project applicants should be prepared to discuss how sustainable design elements have been incorporated into the project.
On June 2, 2008, the Palo Alto City Council adopted a mandatory Green Building Ordinance which becomes effective July 2, 2008 and is applicable to residential and non-residential private development projects. The ordinance is retroactive for commercial projects for which planning applications were submitted after December 3, 2007, the date the City Council adopted the Climate Protection Plan describing intended green building standards.
Tree Preservation
Tree Preservation in Palo Alto is regulated by the Municipal Code and the primary tool to provide for orderly protection of specified trees, to protect property values and to avoid significant negative impacts on adjacent properties. Regulated Trees are codified in Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 8, Trees & Vegetation and Title 18, Zoning Code. City regulations apply regarding the maintenance, health of or removal of these trees.
Construction and Demolition Debris Reuse and Recycling
The ultimate goal of the Construction & Demolition (C&D) Debris Diversion Program is to reduce the amount of construction waste that ends up in our area landfills. In Palo Alto, it is estimated that C&D-related debris accounts for ~25% of all waste going to landfill. A significant portion of this waste can be salvaged for re-use, while the majority of the rest can easily be recycled at many local facilities.
Sustainability
It is the intent of the City of Palo Alto to be a sustainable community - one which meets its current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
