On April 22, 2008, the City of Los Angeles passed Ordinance No. 179820 establishing a city-wide Green Building Program. As of November 1, 2008 all commercial/industrial projects over 50,000 square feet and high-rise residential/mixed-use projects over 50 dwelling units will need to meet minimum LEED sustainability standards or else they will not be issued a building permit. As of May 1, 2009, the standards will apply to low-rise residential projects. In addition, projects which are deemed at least LEED Silver will be expedited through the City’s permitting process.
You can read more about LA's Green Ordinance Bill Here.
Green Buildings have lower operating costs but higher initial costs
Operational Savings:
8-9% decrease in operating costs (Lighting, HVAC)
7-8% increase in building value
6-7% increase in ROI
3-4% increase in occupancy
2-3% increase in rent
Initial Costs:
Additional Construction Costs for LEED-Certified Buildings
Platinum (52-69 LEED Points): 6-7% increased cost
Gold (39-51 LEED Points): 2-3% increased cost
Silver (33-38 LEED Points): 1-2% increased cost
Certified (26-32 LEED Points): 0-1% increased cost
Green Strategies: The LEED system is based on points in a number of categories, some points are easier to obtain than others. It is possible to obtain LEED Certification without major cost and with minor changes in the planning stages of a project.
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Operational Savings:
8-9% decrease in operating costs (Lighting, HVAC)
7-8% increase in building value
6-7% increase in ROI
3-4% increase in occupancy
2-3% increase in rent
Initial Costs:
Additional Construction Costs for LEED-Certified Buildings
Platinum (52-69 LEED Points): 6-7% increased cost
Gold (39-51 LEED Points): 2-3% increased cost
Silver (33-38 LEED Points): 1-2% increased cost
Certified (26-32 LEED Points): 0-1% increased cost
Green Strategies: The LEED system is based on points in a number of categories, some points are easier to obtain than others. It is possible to obtain LEED Certification without major cost and with minor changes in the planning stages of a project.
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Easy Points Include:
· Minimizing available parking
· Allocating “preferred” parking for low emission vehicles and van-pools
· Facilitating bike racks
· Water efficient landscaping
· Storage & Collection of Recyclables
· Renewable Building Materials such as wheat-board, bamboo, linoleum etc.
· Minimizing available parking
· Allocating “preferred” parking for low emission vehicles and van-pools
· Facilitating bike racks
· Water efficient landscaping
· Storage & Collection of Recyclables
· Renewable Building Materials such as wheat-board, bamboo, linoleum etc.
It doesn't take much to "go green" but a little up-front planning before the building is constructed is needed in order to meet these new criteria.
Los Angeles is taking a bold step forward and it is expected that many cities will follow in this footstep. If you are in the development community, you should take some time to familiarize yourself with the whole LEED Certification process; it is not going away any time soon.
Los Angeles is taking a bold step forward and it is expected that many cities will follow in this footstep. If you are in the development community, you should take some time to familiarize yourself with the whole LEED Certification process; it is not going away any time soon.
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