Salinas, CA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Diversion requirement
- 65% of C&D debris, all projects
- Nonresidential inert solids
- 100% diverted
- Non-compliance penalty
- 2% of project valuation
- Pre-permit requirement
- Waste reduction and recycling plan
- Verifying agency
- Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority
Summary
Salinas adopted the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code but replaced its statewide deconstruction rule with a stricter local ordinance: covered construction, demolition, and renovation projects must divert at least sixty-five percent of debris from landfills, backed by a waste plan, an administrative fee, and a two-percent civil penalty for non-compliance.
For each covered project, at least sixty-five percent of the remaining C&D debris shall be diverted from landfill disposal in accordance with the provisions of this article, except as provided in Section 9-11.8.
Every applicant, general contractor, subcontractor and/or owner of property on which a covered project occurs shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this article. Diversion requirements shall be met by submitting and following a waste reduction and recycling plan that achieves the following:
(a)Deconstructing and salvaging all or part of the structure as practicable; and(b)Directing one hundred percent of inert solids to bonafide facilities for reuse or recycling on all nonresidential projects; and(c)Either:1.Directing all mixed C&D debris to a bonafide processor approved by the city, or2.Source separating non-inert materials, such as cardboard and paper, wood, metals, green waste, new gypsum wallboard, tile, porcelain fixtures, and other easily recycled materials, and directing them to a bonafide facility for recycling and taking the remainder to a designated transfer or disposal facility. In this option, calculations must be provided to show that sixty-five percent of demolition and construction debris (in addition to one hundred percent of inert solids for nonresidential) has been diverted.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 9-11 adopts the California Green Building Standards Code, Part 11, 2025 edition, effective January 1, 2026, but Sec. 408 with Salinas's own construction-and-demolition (C&D) debris diversion program set out in Sec. 2 through Sec. 11. Sec. 4 sets the core numeric standard: at least sixty-five percent of remaining C&D debris from a covered project must be diverted from landfill disposal, with one hundred percent of inert solids diverted on nonresidential projects. Before a permit issues, Sec. 5 requires the applicant to submit a waste reduction and recycling plan identifying the debris types, how they will be handled, and the bonafide facility receiving them; the city supplies a current list of qualifying facilities.
During construction, Sec. 6 requires the permittee to track diverted and disposed tonnage and make structures slated for demolition available for deconstruction and salvage first. Sec. 7 requires a final waste reduction and recycling report, supported by weight tags and receipts, before a certificate of occupancy or final inspection. Sec. 10 charges an administrative fee set by council resolution on every covered permit, though Sec. 408 of the state Green Building Code. Sec. 11 lets a city building inspector issue a stop-work order for non-compliant on-site practices, and a project found non-compliant at the end of construction faces a civil penalty of two percent of total project valuation before a certificate of occupancy or final inspection will be granted; the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority verifies good-faith "substantial compliance" claims.
Violations & Fines
A project that fails to meet the sixty-five percent diversion standard, or otherwise falls out of compliance with Sec. 9-11.2 through Sec. 9-11.11, can be stopped mid-construction under a Sec. 9-11.11 stop-work order and, if found non-compliant at completion, is assessed a civil penalty equal to two percent of total project valuation; the certificate of occupancy or final inspection is withheld until that penalty is paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Salinas require debris recycling on construction projects?
What happens if a Salinas project misses the diversion target?
Are any projects exempt from Salinas's debris diversion rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salinas
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