City of Long Beach - Green Building Policy for Municipal Buildings

Green Building Policy for New Municipal Building Projects

It is the policy of the City of Long Beach to plan, design, construct, manage, renovate, and maintain its facilities and buildings in a sustainable manner. The US Green Building Council's LEED rating system and Reference Guide shall be the design and measurement tools used to determine what constitutes sustainable building under this policy. This policy applies to new construction and additions to existing buildings and facilities whenever the gross area of the new construction is over 7,500 square feet.

Green Building Policy for Municipal Remodel and Tenant Improvements

The US Green Building Council is currently developing a LEED standard for remodel and tenant improvement projects. Since neither of these standards is final at the time of adoption of this policy, the City adopts the following policy. For municipal remodel projects which affect less than 50 percent of a building's total square feet, and which cost more than $35 per square foot, the project should incorporate green material and technology where possible. All municipal building rehabilitation and retrofit projects should adopt the green building best practices.

Infrastructure, Unoccupied Buildings, Park, and Industrial Projects 

It is the policy of the City of Long Beach that infrastructure projects (streets, parking garages, etc.), unoccupied buildings, park equipment and recreation facilities (docks, playgrounds, etc.) and city industrial projects are not required to conform to the LEED standard as the standard does not address these types of projects. It is the policy of the City of Long Beach that green building techniques, methods and materials be incorporated into such projects as much as practicable. 

Program Goals

Within three years of adopting the Green Building Policy for the City of Long Beach, all new municipal projects of over 7,500 square feet will meet the LEED Certified criteria.

Within six years of adopting the Green Building Policy for the City of Long Beach, 60 percent of all new municipal construction projects will meet LEED Silver criteria.