Santa Cruz County, CA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2025 CALGreen, Title 24 Pt. 11
- Nonresidential trigger
- 500 sq ft addition or $200,000+ improvement
- Remodel rule
- Energy Star appliances + added insulation
- Vehicle wash recycling
- at least 75% of water recycled on site
- Pre-rinse valve limit
- 1.3 gallons per minute maximum
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County adopts the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) with local amendments requiring Energy Star appliances and added insulation on remodels, plus water-conserving equipment for commercial kitchens and vehicle wash facilities.
§ 12.10.250. 2025 Green Building Standards Code adopted... (D) Water Conservation Amendments. Section 5.303.7 is hereby added to the 2025 California Green Code, to read: 5.303.7 Water conserving systems. The following systems shall be required to meet the specifications indicated: 5.303.7.1 Food steamers shall be boiler-less or self-contained. 5.303.7.2 Ice machines shall be air-cooled. 5.303.7.3 Pre-rinse spray valves shall have a flow rate of not more than 1.3 gallons per minute. 5.303.7.5 Automatic vehicle wash facilities shall provide at least 75 percent of water that is recycled on site.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5004302; v11 updated 2026-05-19; through 05-19-2026).
Full Breakdown
250 adopts the 2025 CALGreen Code, Part 11 of Title 24, including all residential and nonresidential mandatory measures, subject to four local amendments. 3 is amended so that Chapter 5's nonresidential provisions apply to newly constructed buildings, building additions of 500 square feet or more, and improvements to existing buildings with a permit valuation of $200,000 or above, with compliance limited to the portions of the building actually being added or improved. 3, require that any new appliances installed as part of a remodel, addition, or new construction be Energy Star rated where available for that appliance type, and that insulation meeting the California Energy Code's mandatory features be installed at ceilings, walls, floors, and water pipes wherever those areas are exposed during remodeling. 3 gallons per minute, and automatic vehicle wash facilities to recycle at least 75 percent of their water on site. 315 exempt list.
Violations & Fines
Permit applications that omit the required Energy Star appliances, mandatory remodel insulation, or the water-conserving fixture standards for commercial kitchens and vehicle washes can be rejected or corrected by the Building Official during plan check, and noncompliant installed work found during inspection must be corrected before final approval is issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to install Energy Star appliances during a remodel in Santa Cruz County?
When do CALGreen's nonresidential measures kick in for a commercial project?
Are there special water rules for restaurants or car washes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Cruz County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Cruz County to another location·View the California building safety overview
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