1. City of Ventura Green Building Standards
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager
1/17/2019

2. Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager
Program Summary
Council Request for Research and Recommendation (2003)
Staff Research ( )
Stakeholder Input (2005)
City Council Adopts Resolution (2005)
Green Building Program Implementation (2006)
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

3. Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager
Stakeholders
American Institute of Architects Chapter
Building Industry Association
Chamber of Commerce
Green Building Council of Ventura County
Representatives from each City Department
Ventura County Contractors Association
Other Non-Profit Groups
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

4. Mandatory or Voluntary ?
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

5. How Are Standards Applied?
Private Commercial – Voluntary
Private Residential - Voluntary
City Projects - Mandatory
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

6. Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager
City’s Commitment
New Projects of 5,000 Square Feet or More
Compliance is Mandatory
Certification is Optional
Capitol Improvement Plan
Financial Analysis
Incorporation
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

7. Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager
Standards Selected
Commercial Buildings
United States Green Building Council: Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design for New Construction (LEED-NC)
Residential Developments (4 dwellings or more)
Building Industry Institute: California Green Builder Program
Residential Projects (1-3 dwellings)
Local Version of Built Green
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

8. Residential Projects 1-3 Dwellings Max
Objectives
Encourage small-scale green building practices
Processes are easily read, understood, and followed
Minimize permit costs (time and $)
Short and long term benefits outweigh all costs
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

9. Residential Projects 1-3 Dwellings Max
Process (Before Applying for Permit)
Consultation/research of successful regional practices
Green practices are selected from a comprehensive and weighted list of options
The list is accompanied by an executed agreement to incorporate the practices
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

10. Residential Projects 1-3 Dwellings Max
Process (Applying for Permit)
Counter staff confirms:
Point sub-totals and totals on the weighted list
Agreement has been signed
Both of these documents are reproduced on the 1st sheet of the construction plans
Plans are marked “Green Project” and routed directly to the next available plan checker
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

11. Residential Projects 1-3 Dwellings Max
Process (During Construction)
Counter staff offers a City Green Building Program sign to the applicant when the permit is issued
City Inspector confirms compliance with selected practices
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

12. Residential Projects 1-3 Dwellings Max
Process (Completion of Construction)
City Inspector advises the office that the project is complete, triggering:
Collection of the City Green Building Program sign
Complimentary press release promoting the project
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

13. Residential Projects 1-3 Dwellings Max
Lessons Learned
High Initial Interest
Moderate Initial Research
Low Voluntary Compliance (when compared to over-all permit volume)
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

14. Residential Projects 1-3 Dwellings Max
Discussion and feedback
Design Professionals
Contractors
Property Owners
Others
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

15. Residential Projects of 4 or more Dwellings
Objectives
Adopt meaningful standards
Utilize proven regulatory systems and models
Production home industry buy-in
Ease in enforcement
Keep permit costs at a minimum
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

16. Residential Projects of 4 or more Dwellings
Process (During Planning Approvals)
Developer incorporates “California Green Builder” practices
Certified, 3rd Party, Green Building professional submits letter of certification
Planning expedites discretionary processes and advises Committees, Commission, and Council of the green commitment
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

17. Residential Projects of 4 or more Dwellings
Process (Building Permit Application)
Developer reproduces the green building professional’s certification on first sheet of plans for each dwelling
Permit counter marks plans “Green Project” and expedites plan check
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

18. Residential Projects of 4 or more Dwellings
Process (During Construction 1 of 2)
Developer utilizes certified special inspectors to confirm compliance
Compliance reports are forwarded to City Inspector and made part of the project record
Final “California Green Builder” letter of certification is issues by 3rd party green building professional
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

19. Residential Projects of 4 or more Dwellings
Process (During Construction 2 of 2)
City Inspector advises the office that the project is complete, triggering:
Collection of the City Green Building Program sign
Complimentary press release promoting the project
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

20. Residential Projects of 4 or more Dwellings
Lessons learned
Little or no interest from Developers
Difficult to obtain program contacts and information
Was politically effective in attaining industry support of 2005 Resolution
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

21. Residential Projects of 4 or more Dwellings
Discussion and feedback
Contractors
Property Owners/Managers
Others
Design Professionals
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

22. Commercial Building Projects
Objectives
Select well supported and proven standards
Lead by example
Minimize impacts on permit costs
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

23. Commercial Building Projects
Process (Design and Planning Approvals)
Applicant consults with LEED certified professional and determines LEED compliance path
LEED certified professional submits letter of certification
Planning expedites discretionary processes and advises Committees, Commission, and Council of the green commitment
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

24. Commercial Building Projects
Process (Permit Application and Plan Check)
Developer reproduces the LEED professional’s certification on first sheet of plans for each dwelling
LEED Professional re-certifies compliance with each resubmittal during plan check.
Permit counter marks plans “Green Project” and expedites plan check
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

25. Commercial Building Projects
Process (During Construction 1 of 2)
Developer utilizes LEED certified professional to confirm compliance
Compliance reports are forwarded to City Inspector and made part of the project record
Final letter of compliance with LEED construction practices is issued by LEED professional
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

26. Commercial Building Projects
Process (During Construction 2 of 2)
City Inspector advises the office that the project is complete, triggering:
Collection of the City Green Building Program sign
Complimentary press release promoting the project
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

27. Commercial Building Projects
Lessons learned
Moderate interest during design
Overall project time, $, and familiarity often suppress commitment to green practices
LEED construction standards (not certification) may be too big of a commitment for small- moderate business facility improvements
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

28. Commercial Building Projects
Discussion and feedback
Property Owners/Managers
Others
Design Professionals
Contractors
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

29. Some Current City Green Practices
Commissioning City buildings and HVA/C Systems
Environmentally Friendly Pesticides
Photovoltaic Energy Systems
Direct Digital Controls and Energy Efficient HVA/C Systems
Recycled Content and Environmentally Friendly Products
Energy Efficient Lighting, Roofing, Window Systems
Co-Generation Energy Systems
Daytime Janitorial Services at Police/Fire Headquarters
Water Conservation Plumbing Fixtures
Stormwater Quality Best Management Practices
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager

30. Comments and Questions
Andrew Stuffler, Building & Safety Manager