La Habra, CA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2025 California Green Building Standards Code
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord. CC 2025-12, effective 11/3/2025
- Local amendment
- Adds a Section 202 sustainability definition
- Enforcing agency
- Community Development Dept. building official
- Scope
- Applies to all newly constructed buildings
Summary
In the City of La Habra, every newly constructed building or structure must comply with the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, adopted as the city's green building code under La Habra Municipal Code Section 15.06.010. The Community Development Department's building official enforces the code's energy efficiency, water efficiency, and environmental quality requirements at plan check and inspection, alongside a locally added definition of "sustainability."
Except as provided in this chapter, those certain building codes known and designated as the California Green Building Standards Code, 2025 Edition, shall become the green building code of the city for reducing the negative impact and encouraging sustainable construction practices in the planning and design, energy efficiency, water efficiency and conservation, and environmental quality of all newly constructed buildings or structures in the city of La Habra. ... Section 202 is amended to add a definition as follows: Sustainability. Consideration of present development and construction impacts on the community, the economy, and the environment without compromising the needs of the future.
Full Breakdown
Section 15.06.010, adopted by Ordinance CC 2025-12 on November 3, 2025 and replacing the prior Ordinance 1848 chapter, makes the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code the city's green building code "for reducing the negative impact and encouraging sustainable construction practices in the planning and design, energy efficiency, water efficiency and conservation, and environmental quality of all newly constructed buildings or structures in the city of La Habra." Section 15.06.020 then amends the adopted code's Section 202 definitions to add a local definition: "Sustainability" is defined as "consideration of present development and construction impacts on the community, the economy, and the environment without compromising the needs of the future." Both sections apply "except as provided in this chapter," meaning the statewide Green Building Standards Code governs new construction in La Habra in full except for that one added definition; the chapter makes no other deletions or numeric changes to the state text.
The adoption language mirrors the wording La Habra used to adopt its Building, Residential, Plumbing, and Electrical Codes in the same 2025 ordinance, all administered by the same building official within the Community Development Department.
Violations & Fines
Constructing a new building without meeting the adopted Green Building Standards Code, including the required Section 202 sustainability considerations the city added, is a violation of Title 15 enforceable as a misdemeanor under La Habra Municipal Code Section 1.08.010, punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does La Habra have its own green building code?
Did La Habra change anything in the state green building code?
Who enforces the green building code on a new home in La Habra?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in La Habra
California rules heatmap·Compare La Habra to another location·View the California building safety overview
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