San Jose, CA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Tier two commercial threshold
- 25,000+ sq ft, LEED Silver required
- Tier two residential threshold
- 10+ units, LEED or GreenPoint Rated
- High-rise standard
- 75+ feet tall, LEED Certified required
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement
- Applies to permits filed
- On or after September 8, 2009
Summary
San Jose requires LEED or GreenPoint Rated certification for new construction: tier one projects file a checklist, tier two projects must hit LEED Silver or GreenPoint Rated, and high-rises need LEED Certified before permits issue.
A.No building permit shall be issued for a tier one project unless the application for building permit contains a completed GreenPoint Rated Checklist or LEED Checklist.B.All tier two commercial industrial projects for which this chapter is applicable must receive the minimum green building certification of LEED Silver and tier two residential projects shall receive the minimum green building certification of LEED Certified or GreenPoint Rated.C.High-rise residential projects for which this chapter is applicable shall receive certification as the minimum green building performance requirement of USGBC LEED™ Certified.D.Mixed-use new construction projects, for which this chapter is applicable, must submit a checklist and receive the minimum green building new construction certification designation for the portion of the building under the requirements of the applicable subsections of this section above. (Ord. 28622.)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
San Jose Municipal Code § 17.84.220 sets tiered green building standards for private development. Tier one projects (single-family homes, small residential and commercial projects) need only a completed GreenPoint Rated or LEED checklist with the building permit application. Tier two commercial/industrial projects (25,000+ sq ft) must achieve LEED Silver certification, and tier two residential projects (10+ units) must reach LEED Certified or GreenPoint Rated. High-rise residential buildings (75+ feet) need LEED Certified. Under § 17.84.300, permit applicants for tier two or high-rise projects must pay a refundable green building deposit, forfeited if certification proof isn't filed within a year of permit expiration.
Violations & Fines
Building permits for tier two commercial, tier two residential, or high-rise residential projects are withheld until the LEED or GreenPoint Rated checklist is filed and the refundable deposit is paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Jose require green certification for a single-family home?
What happens if a project misses the required certification?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Jose
California rules heatmap·Compare San Jose to another location·View the California building safety overview
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Green Building Code in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle green building code.