Requires new private buildings over 10,000 square feet to be LEED Silver or higher (Private Sector Green Building Ordinance), 2009
SAN JOSE, CA
When you can see views from where you work, you might get up to 25% better memory.
HOW IT CAN BENEFIT YOU
You can benefit from being in a green building because it can improve:
- Your access to views which improves your productivity by up to 23%.
- Indoor air quality which reduces communicable respiratory diseases by 9-20% and allergies and asthma by 18-25%.
- Lighting which reduces headaches by 27%.
- How hot or cold you feel by managing heating and cooling systems efficiently.
- Your commute because buildings get credits if they are close to public transit and restaurants.
The San Jose Private Sector Green Building Policy requires new privately owned buildings over 10,000 square feet to get at a minimum, LEED Silver certification through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
WHY IT'S A LEADING POLICY
Builders must submit a checklist from LEED or Build It Green, which encourages developers to voluntarily include additional green building features.
WHO CAN TAKE ACTION
Privately owned buildings over 10,000 square feet.
OUTCOME
San Jose's Gish Family Apartments earned a LEED Gold rating. It includes 35 apartments for tenants earning less than half the area median income. Since low-income tenants often do not have cars, the owners give them free transit passes. Tenants also pay their own energy bill so they have a financial incentive to conserve.
Since people with low incomes are disproportionately affected by asthma and less likely to have access to quality healthcare, the building uses low-polluting materials like furniture with no added urea-formaldehyde, and low volatile organic compound insulation, paints, sealants, and adhesives. And the entire building, including the retail and outdoor areas, is non-smoking (read more).
PUBLIC OUTREACH & EDUCATION
The San Jose Environmental Services Department formed the Green Building Steering committee (from key city departments), Green Building Work Group (from the community), Green Building Taskforce (building, housing and community members appointed by the Mayor) to implement the policy.
CONTACT
Jennifer Seguin, Manager of Green Building Initiatives, City of San Jose, 408-975-2543, jennifer.seguin@sanjoseca.gov
LAST UPDATED
October 14, 2015