Green Building Requirements

The Albany City Council passed a Green Building Resolution(PDF, 2MB) requiring all-electric construction for new buildings and major alterations. All-electric construction means that there are no gas-powered appliances in the building. This maximizes the use of Albany's 100% carbon-free electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving indoor air quality. The new Resolution is now in effect.

The all-electric requirement applies to:
  • All new construction (with the following exceptions)
    • Any new appliances installed for a new ADU must be all-electric. New JADUs may share existing gas appliances with the primary residence.
    • Restaurants and Scientific Laboratories are exempt
  • Major alterations that trigger the fire sprinkler requirement (cumulative area of addition and remodel since 1996 exceeds 50% of the floor area)

City of Albany has adopted a Green Building Resolution(PDF, 2MB) with new requirements for projects subject to zoning clearance. These requirements will make Albany's buildings healthier, greener, and more efficient.

Green Building Measures

The Resolution contains a variety of measures related to energy, water, and materials. Detailed explanations of each measure can be found in the Green Building Worksheet(PDF, 578KB). The checklist and attached worksheets are required as part of the building permit submittal.

For many projects, only a few measures will apply. For instance, a kitchen remodel may only need to comply with the kitchen faucet and energy star requirements. Learn more about each measure below by hovering your mouse over the image.

Residential Projects

30% of all paved areas of the property, excluding the primary driveway, entry walkway, and entry porch or landing, must use permeable paving Kitchen faucets must have a maximum flow rate of no more than 1.5 gallons per minute. Cement content of concrete must be reduced by at least 25% using fly ash, slag, silica fume, rice hull ash, or another similar material. For each residential unit in which a clothes washer or dishwasher is to be installed, at least one of those appliances must be Energy Star approved. Resilient flooring is non-textile synthetic flooring materials which have a firm surface but offer a slight give or bounce. Examples are: vinyl tile, linoleum, cork, rubber, or polymer flooring. At least 90% of the total area of resilient flooring installed must comply with Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions limits by being a certified UL GREENGUARD Gold product OR a Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) FloorScore Program certified product.

Non-Residential Projects

Cement content of concrete must be reduced using fly ash, slag, silica fume, rice hull ash, or another similar material. Indoor water use must be reduced by at least 12% using efficient fixtures. Resilient flooring is non-textile synthetic flooring materials which have a firm surface but offer a slight give or bounce. Examples are: vinyl tile, linoleum, cork, rubber, or polymer flooring. At least 90% of the total area of resilient flooring installed must comply with Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions limits by being a certified UL GREENGUARD Gold product OR a Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) FloorScore Program certified product. 12% of parking spaces must be designated for Clean Air Vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Charging

For new multifamily buildings, 20% of parking spaces must be Level 2 EV Charging stations. The remainder of spaces must be EV-Ready.

All-Electric Buildings

New buildings and major alterations must be all-electric. All-electric construction means that there are no gas-powered appliances in the building. The requirement applies to:

  • Residential and non-residential new construction
  • Newly constructed ADUs
  • Major alterations that trigger the fire sprinkler requirement (cumulative area of addition and remodel since 1996 exceeds 50% of the floor area)
Exemptions:
  • Restaurants
  • Scientific Laboratories
  • New JADUs may share existing gas appliances with the primary residence.
  • Individual projects may apply for an exemption based on financial hardship or infeasibility

Helpful Documents

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