EnvironmentLA

Please contact the City Green Team if you have questions beyond what's covered here:

Program Process
1.    What is the difference between the Standard of Sustainability and the Standard of Sustainable Excellence?
The Standard of Sustainability requires projects over a threshold of size to meet the intent of LEED at the Certified level (but not seek formal certification).   The Standard of Sustainable Excellence is a voluntary program that provides incentives to projects who seek formal LEED certification at the Silver level.

2.    What does meeting the “intent of LEED” mean?
The mandatory Standard of Sustainability requires projects to meet the intent of LEED at the Certified level.  This means the building is designed and built to LEED Certified standards, but does not have to obtain formal registration and certification from the USGBC.

3.    Is my project exempt from the mandatory Standard of Sustainability?
A project is exempt if the plans have been accepted by the Department of Building and Safety for plan check and/or an entitlement application has been deemed complete (with the exception of CEQA review) by the effective date of the program.

4.    What is the difference between the two effective dates for the Standard of Sustainability?
•    The November 1, 2008 effective date applies to non-residential projects 50,000 square feet or more and residential projects 50,000 sf or more and 7 stories or more. 
•    The May 1, 2009 effective date applies to residential projects 50,000 sf or more, at least 50 units, and 6 stories or less

5.    Does the mandatory Standard of Sustainability apply to both by-right and discretionary projects?
For projects meeting the Standard of Sustainability thresholds, both by-right and discretionary projects are required to meet the intent of LEED at the Certified level and seek green building clearance from the Department of City Planning prior to the issuance of a building permit. 


Green Building Clearance
1.    How long does the Green Building Clearance take?
The Green Building Clearance will be completed within a nominal amount of days.  It has been designed to avoid adding significant time to case processing.  It will decrease turn-around time if the LEED Checklist is clearly annotated to reflect where supporting documentation for each credit is located within the project plans.  Conversely, it will increase turn-around time if a project’s credit(s) are not adequately documented.  In that case, a list of corrections must be rectified and the plans must be resubmitted for review before clearance can be issued.

2.    What are the exact submittal requirements for the Green Building Clearance?
For the mandatory program, Standard of Sustainability, and the voluntary program, Standard of Sustainable Excellence, click here.

3.    Do all LEED credits count toward Green Building Clearance?
Yes, all credits count whether they are construction or design credits.

4.    Which Rating System Version Do I Use?
If a project is registered with the USGBC, it shall comply with the Rating System version in effect upon registration.  Otherwise, projects shall comply with the Rating System in effect when project plans are submitted to the Department of Building and Safety.


Green Strategies and Technology
1.    What factors is the LAFD concerned about with regards to installing solar panels?
LAFD guidelines for solar panel installation can be found here

2.    Can I use a green practice not accounted for in LEED?
Innovation in Design (ID) credits recognize innovative strategies not addressed by any existing LEED credit.  When pursued, these credits must be adequately documented within the plans and annotated on the Checklist in the same fashion required for every credit.  ID credits previously accepted by the USGBC for projects that reflect similar circumstances pertinent to the innovation should be documented in the plans and annotated in the Checklist.  Previous ID credits are available online here.  Applicants may seek consultation by contacting the Department of City Planning Green Team representative.  His/her e-mail is available here