California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) — the nation's first state-mandated green-building code — has been in effect since January 1, 2011. CALGreen was created to improve public health, safety, and general welfare through enhanced design and construction of buildings using concepts that reduce negative impacts and promote principles that have a positive environmental impact and encourage sustainable construction practices.
CALGreen was created to address the five divisions of building construction:
- Planning and design.
- Energy efficiency.
- Water efficiency and conservation.
- Material conservation and resource efficiency.
- Environmental quality.
View the 2023 CALGreen Report (PDF) to the California Legislature.