Milpitas, CA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

The City of Milpitas incorporated the 2025 Green Building Standards Code from Title 24, Part 11 of the California Code of Regulations by reference under Chapter 19, then layered its own local thresholds in Chapter 20. Table 3.01-1 sets the bar by project type: residential new construction of five or more units needs 50 Green Points under the Build It Green system or LEED for Homes Certified; nonresidential new construction between 25,000 and 49,999 square feet needs LEED Certified; nonresidential projects of 50,000 square feet or more, and any city building over 25,000 square feet, need LEED Silver.

Mixed-use projects apply both scales to their respective components. Two categories are exempted outright: buildings designated a local Cultural Resource or listed on a state or national historic register, and residential remodels that add five or fewer new dwelling units. The Building Official, acting as Compliance Official, reviews checklists submitted with planning entitlements and again before building permit issuance, and again before final inspection. Projects that fall short can still pass on a good faith effort finding if costs are disproportionate, required materials are unavailable, or at least 80 percent of green points were achieved with a plan to finish within a year.

A hardship or infeasibility exemption is available through the City Manager. Meeting a higher bar earns a reward: residential projects hitting 75 Green Points, and commercial projects hitting LEED Gold or above, qualify for Priority Plan Review with plan check turned around in half the normal time. The ordinance took effect January 1, 2014.