Monterey’s Green Building Program promotes smart design and efficient building through leadership and education in order to conserve resources, increase economic vitality, and lessen the impact of the Monterey built environment while preserving and improving the quality of life for all present and future generations.

What is Green Building?

Green Building is ‘smart building.' It involves a whole-systems approach through design and building techniques to minimize environmental impact and reduce the energy and water consumption of buildings while contributing to the health of its occupants.

How does Monterey’s program work?

In July, 2008, Monterey’s City Council unanimously adopted a Green Building Ordinance for all new construction and remodeling projects. All Residential and Non-Residential are required to earn a number of GreenPoints from a Green Building Checklist. These checklists offer a great deal of flexibility for each project and do not necessarily add additional costs to the project. In fact, a number of these measures will save money over the life cycle of the project.

The program became mandatory on August 17, 2009 as directed by Ord. 3413. (see Chapter 38 of the City Code)