The City of San Mateo has identified sustainability as a key issue to be addressed during the City’s current and future planning and development process. To meet this objective, the City has adopted a mandatory green building ordinance that will go into effect on January 1, 2010.

The green building measures will follow the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED guidelines for municipal and commercial buildings and Build It Green’s Green Point Rated (GPR) guidelines for single-family and multi-family dwellings. 

• November 5, 2009 Administrative Report
• View Ordinance 

For additional information or help in determining whether your project meets the green building guidelines, please contact the Community Development Department, Planning Division at (650) 522-7202.

Green Building Program Process:
 

STEP 1:	Refer to the City of San Mateo Green Building Guidelines to determine if your project is a City of San Mateo covered project.
STEP 2:	Verify the minimum LEED or Green Point Rated threshold for your project.
STEP 3:	Hire an accredited green building LEED or Green Point Rater professional. LEED Professional Directory Green Point Raters For San Mateo County
STEP 4:	The accredited green building LEED or Green Point Rater professional will help in filling out green building verification and documentation forms in order to comply with San Mateo's Mandatory Green Building Ordinance.
STEP 5:	Submit the green building documentation with the appropriate project applications to the Planning or Building Divisions for review: Applicable green building checklist Existing Building New Building  Any other documentation that is necessary to show compliance with the project threshold OPTIONAL: Projects may be certified by LEED or Build It Green.  Green Building Certification Institute (LEED) Build It Green Rating Process and Fees