Whittier, CA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopting section
- Municipal Code 15.10.010
- Local amendment
- Section 4.304.2, irrigation controllers
- Controller type required
- Weather- or soil-moisture-based
- Rain sensor
- Required unless soil-moisture based
- Checked at
- Final inspection
Summary
Whittier adopts the mandatory provisions of the California Green Building Standards Code by reference, and layers on its own irrigation-controller amendment. New landscaping tied to a building permit must use a weather- or soil-moisture-based controller, not a basic timer.
(a)The City Council of the City of Whittier hereby adopts the mandatory provisions of the California Green Building Standards Code specified in Chapter 15.01.010 as Chapter 15.10.010 of Title 15 of this Code, except such portions as are deleted, modified, or amended as set forth in this chapter. Said Code is adopted and incorporated as if fully set forth herein.(b)The purpose of this Code is to prescribe regulations for the protection of the public health and safety and to establish minimum regulations for reducing the environmental impact of buildings within the City.
Full Breakdown
010 adopts the mandatory provisions of the California Green Building Standards Code, stating the purpose is to protect public health and safety and to set minimum regulations for reducing the environmental impact of buildings citywide. 040, folding green building enforcement into the same permit and inspection process used for the building, residential, and plumbing codes. 030 adds a definition of "sustainability" to Section 202 of the state code, tying the chapter's intent to weighing present development against future community, economic, and environmental needs. 2 on irrigation controllers: any automatic irrigation controller installed and provided at final inspection must be weather-based or soil-moisture-based, automatically adjusting watering as plant needs and weather change, and any weather-based controller lacking an integral rain sensor or communication system must have a separate wired or wireless rain sensor.
Soil-moisture controllers are exempt from that separate rain-sensor requirement. A builder cannot pass final inspection on a project touching landscape irrigation with a plain timer-based controller.
Violations & Fines
Failing the green building standards at final inspection, including installing a non-compliant timer-based irrigation controller instead of the required weather- or soil-moisture-based unit, blocks issuance of the certificate of occupancy and can be charged as a misdemeanor under Section 1.08.010, carrying a fine up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Whittier require green building compliance?
What irrigation controller does Whittier require?
Can I install a basic timer-based sprinkler controller in Whittier?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Whittier
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