The City of Pittsburg adopted the 2022 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), found in Title 24, Part 11 of the California Code of Regulations.

What Is CALGreen?

CALGreen is California’s mandatory green building code. First introduced in 2008 as a voluntary program, it became statewide law in 2011. It sets standards that improve sustainability, public health, and environmental quality in new construction.

CALGreen Requirements Include:

• 20% reduction in indoor water use
• 50% minimum construction and demolition waste diversion
• Use of low-VOC materials
• Indoor air quality and moisture control measures

Learn more or download full code documents:
California Building Standards Commission – CALGreen

Is CALGreen Mandatory?

Yes. All new construction projects in California must meet CALGreen’s mandatory measures, regardless of local adoption.
CALGreen offers three levels of compliance:

• Mandatory (required by law)
• Tier I (voluntary – enhanced standards)
• Tier II (voluntary – highest standards)

👉 The City of Pittsburg enforces the mandatory standards and encourages Tier I or Tier II compliance for projects that want to go above and beyond.

How Do I Comply?

City staff will guide you through the process during plan check.
Standard forms and worksheets are available directly from the State:
🔗 Download CALGreen Forms & Worksheets

What About LEED or GreenPoint Rated?

LEED (U.S. Green Building Council) and GreenPoint Rated (Build It Green) are voluntary, third-party certifications for high-performance green buildings. They go beyond CALGreen, offering benefits like:

• Marketing value
• Recognition for sustainability
• Quality assurance for buyers

Good to know:
If your project is pursuing LEED or GreenPoint Rated, the City accepts completed documents from those programs to substitute for CALGreen-specific documentation, where applicable.

🔗 LEED – U.S. Green Building Council
🔗 GreenPoint Rated – Build It Green

City Support for Green Building

The City of Pittsburg supports programs that benefit builders and the community:

• Energy Upgrade California – Incentives and training for contractors
• GreenPlumbers USA – Water-saving training for licensed plumbers
• Contractor Training – In partnership with the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County

🔗 Energy Upgrade California
🔗 GreenPlumbers USA