Green Building Program Background

On November 12, 1998, City Council approved a recommendation to create a Green Building Taskforce that would recommend a Green Building Policy for the City of José. Creation of this Taskforce was based on a community-initiated recommendation that the City begin to explore Green Building opportunities. Green building policies and programs are designed to promote building practices that maximize the health of the occupants and minimize the negative environmental impacts associated with the design, construction, and operation of buildings.

Based on discussions with area builders, developers and architects, and an understanding of other Green Building Programs across the country, the Environmental Services Department formed three major work groups:

• Green Building Steering Committee – made up of representatives from key city departments
• San José Green Building Workgroup – a self-selected group of individuals from the community
• Green Building Taskforce – comprised of key building, housing and community sector members appointed by the Mayor

In June 2001, City Council adopted Green Building Policies as developed by the members of the community with the input of City Departments. The citywide policy on green building was developed to demonstrate the Citys commitment to environmental, economic, and social stewardship, to yield cost savings to the city taxpayers through reduced operating costs, to provide healthy work environments for staff and visitors, and to contribute to the City's goals of protecting, conserving, and enhancing the region's environmental resources. Additionally, the City hoped to provide leadership by setting a community standard of sustainable or "green" building.

City of San José Green Building Policy

City of San José Report and Recommendations on Green Building Program Guidelines (PDF 56K)

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