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Contra Costa County, CA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Diversion requirement
65% of nonhazardous C&D waste
Plan due
Before building permit issuance
Final report due
Before final inspection
Exempt materials
Excavated soil, land-clearing debris
Multifamily EV chargers
10% of spaces, Level 2 EVSE
Governing section
Ordinance Code § 74-4.006

Summary

Contra Costa County's local amendments to the California Green Building Standards Code require permitted residential additions, alterations and demolitions to recycle or salvage at least 65 percent of nonhazardous construction and demolition debris, and to file a construction waste management plan before the county issues a building permit.

City-specific rules exist: Brentwood, San Ramon, and Antioch have their own green building code rules that differ from Contra Costa County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

(d)Section 4.408.1 (Construction waste management) of CGBSC Chapter 4 (Residential Mandatory Measures) is amended to read: Section 4.408.1 Construction waste management. Recycle and/or salvage for reuse a minimum of 65 percent of the nonhazardous construction and demolition waste in accordance with Section 4.408.2. (e)Section 4.408.2 (Construction waste management plan) ... is amended to read: Section 4.408.2 Construction waste management plan. Submit a construction waste management plan for the project ... prior to issuance of a building permit.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Ordinance Code: Supplement 103).

Full Breakdown

002(g). 408 diversion standard whenever a permit is required for the work. 1, requires a project to recycle and/or salvage for reuse a minimum of 65 percent of the nonhazardous construction and demolition waste it generates. 2 requires the applicant to submit a construction waste management plan before the county issues the building permit, identifying which materials will be diverted, whether they will be source-separated or bulk mixed, which diversion or disposal facilities and hauling companies will be used, and how the tonnage of debris will be weighed or otherwise measured.

Excavated soil and land-clearing debris are exempted from the diversion count, and the enforcing agency may accept alternate reduction requirements if the owner or contractor shows that diversion facilities are unavailable near the jobsite. 5 requires a construction waste management final report with weight documentation and receipts from every receiving facility, substantiating the diverted and disposed tonnage claimed in the plan. 1. 2.

Violations & Fines

A project cannot get its building permit without a Section 4.408.2 construction waste management plan on file, and cannot pass final inspection without the Section 4.408.5 final report and supporting weight receipts. The Building Inspection Division, as the enforcing agency, can reject inadequate diversion documentation or deny the alternate-requirements exception if the applicant fails to show diversion facilities are genuinely unavailable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Contra Costa County require a construction waste management plan for remodels?
Yes, for any addition, alteration or demolition needing a permit. Amended CGBSC Section 4.408.2 requires the plan to be submitted and approved before the building permit is issued, and the county building official can require updates during construction.
What percentage of construction debris must be diverted from the landfill?
At least 65 percent of the nonhazardous construction and demolition waste generated by the project, per amended Section 4.408.1 of the county's Green Building Standards Code amendments, § 74-4.006(d).
Are any materials excluded from the 65 percent diversion count?
Yes. Excavated soil and land-clearing debris are excluded, and the enforcing agency may set alternate reduction requirements if the applicant demonstrates that diversion facilities are not reasonably available near the jobsite.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Contra Costa County

All Contra Costa County rules

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