Checklist

These checklists are offered at the Planning and Permitting Departments of the cities, towns and county in San Mateo County to encourage the use of sustainable building practices in new construction and remodels or renovations. More information on individual checklist items is found in this guide.

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Key
c Commercial/Industrial
t Tenant Improvement
m Multi–family housing
s Single–family home

For assistance in using the checklist, please consult with your jurisdiction's Planning or Permitting Department or call the RecycleWorks hotline at 1–888–442–2666.

  Check Mark No. Item Applicable
Building Types
Community Planning Goal: Create a more sustainable community
  1 Build mixed–use developments and provide public amenities such as open space c   m  
  2 Cluster development to minimize paving and utilities, and to preserve open space c   m  
  3 Reuse a brownfield or previously occupied site c   m  
  4 Design for easy pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access c t m  
Site & Landscape Goal: Respect your site
  5 Design and landscape to create comfortable micro–climates and reduce heat island effects c   m s
  6 Optimize building orientation for heat gain, shading, day lighting, and natural ventilation c   m s
  7 Reduce building footprint — smaller is better c   m s
  8 Limit site impacts, balance cut and fill, preserve existing vegetation and protect soil during construction c   m s
  9 Use native plants that are drought–resistant, create habitat for indigenous species, and do not require pesticides for maintenance c   m s
  10 Use recycled rubble for backfill drain rock c   m s
Goal: Save water and reduce local water impacts
  11 Maximize onsite storm water management through landscaping and permeable pavement c   m s
  12 Use rainwater harvesting c   m s
  13 Use water–conserving landscape technologies such as drip irrigation, moisture sensors, and watering zones c   m s
Waste Reduction & Management Goal: Reduce, reuse, recycle
  14 Reuse a building (renovate) instead of tearing down and rebuilding c t m s
  15 Deconstruct old buildings for materials reuse (salvage) c t m s
  16 Recycle construction & demolition waste c t m s
  17 Design for durability and eventual reuse c t m s
  18 Provide adequate space for storing and handling recyclables c t m s
Concrete Goal: Make concrete with sustainable materials
  19 Use flyash in concrete c t m s
  20 Use recycled aggregate in non–structural concrete c t m s
  21 Use prefabricated forms or save and reuse wood form boards c t m s
Wood Framing Goal: Design to save wood and labor
  22 Use spacings, sizes, and modular dimensions that minimize lumber use and optimize performance c t m s
  23 Use engineered lumber or metal stud framing to replace solid–sawn lumber c t m s
Goal: Support sustainable forests
  24 Use sustainably harvested lumber (FSC certified) for wood framing c t m s
  25 Use reclaimed or salvaged lumber c t m s
Exterior Treatments, Siding & Roofing Goal: Make a sustainable roof
  26 Use durable roofing materials c   m s
  27 Use a cool roof c   m  
  28 Use a green or living roof c   m s
Goal: Support healthy environments and sustainable forests
  29 Use sustainable siding materials c   m s
  30 Use sustainable decking materials c   m s
Windows & Doors Goal: Save energy through passive design
  31 Provide shading on east, west and south windows with overhangs, awnings, or deciduous trees c   m s
  32 Plan windows and skylights, light shelves, and window treatments to provide daylight that improves indoor environments c t m s
  33 Choose window sizes, frame materials, and glass coatings to optimize energy performance c   m s
  34 Stop air leakage at doors and windows c   m s
Plumbing Goal: Save water and energy in plumbing systems
  35 Use water–conserving plumbing fixtures c t m s
  36 Use water–saving appliances and equipment c t m s
  37 Insulate hot and cold water pipes c t m s
  38 Use heat recovery equipment, tankless water heaters and/or on–demand hot water circulation pumps c t m s
  39 Pre–plumb for future graywater use for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation c   m s
Goal: Reduce environmental impacts from materials production
  40 Use sustainable materials for pipes c t m s
Electrical Goal: Save energy in lighting
  41 Design lighting levels for actual use, and use task lighting to reduce general lighting levels c t m s
  42 Use energy–efficient lamps and lighting fixtures c t m s
  43 Use lighting controls that save energy such as occupancy sensors c t m s
Goal: Save energy in equipment use
  44 Use ENERGY STAR® appliances c t m s
  45 Use a building energy management system c t m  
Heating & Cooling Goal: Save energy through passive design
  46 Use passive solar design, thermal mass, and insulation to reduce space heating needs c   m s
  47 Replace air conditioning with natural ventilation and passive cooling c   m s
  48 Use ceiling fans for comfort cooling, and use a whole–building fan for night–time cooling c t m s
  49 Upgrade wall, floor, and ceiling insulation to exceed minimum State requirements c   m s
Goal: Save energy in equipment use
  50 Use high–efficiency equipment including furnaces, boilers, fans, and pumps c   m s
  51 Use heat recovery equipment c   m s
  52 Use geothermal systems, cogeneration, or other alternatives for heating and cooling c   m  
  53 Place ductwork within conditioned space, seal joints properly, and clean before occupancy c t m s
  54 Zone mechanical systems for more efficient heating and cooling c t    
  55 Use radiant and hydronic systems for increased efficiency, health, and comfort c t m s
  56 Use equipment without ozone–depleting refrigerants   t m  
Goal: Create healthy indoor environments
  57 Use recycled–content, formaldehyde–free fiberglass insulation, cellulose insulation, or other green insulation products c t m s
  58 Separate ventilation for indoor pollutant sources and provide advanced filtration to improve indoor air quality c t m s
  59 Use clean and efficient alternatives to wood–burning fireplaces     m s
Renewable Power & Solar Energy Goal: Replace fossil fuel use with alternatives
  60 Generate clean electricity onsite using solar photovoltaics c   m s
  61 Generate clean electricity onsite using wind turbines c   m s
  62 Use solar hot–water systems for domestic use and swimming pools c   m s
  63 Use solar hot–water systems for space heating c   m s
  64 Pre–plumb for a solar hot–water system c   m s
Interior Materials Goal: Create healthy indoor environments
  65 Use low– or no–VOC, formaldehyde–free paints, stains, and adhesives c t m s
  66 Use low– or no–VOC carpets, furniture, particleboard, and cabinetry c t m s
  67 Use exposed concrete as a finished floor c t m s
  68 Use natural materials such as wool and sisal for carpets and wallcoverings c t m s
  69 Use sustainable materials for flooring, trim, and interior surfaces c t m s
Goal: Support the market for recycled materials
  70 Use recycled–content floor tile, carpets and pads, cabinets, and countertops c t m s
Goal: Support sustainable forests
  71 Use reclaimed / salvaged, sustainably harvested (FSC certified), or engineered wood for flooring and trim, or use wood alternatives such as bamboo and cork c t m s
Other Green Alternatives Goal: Use creativity and innovation to build more sustainable environments
  72 Use insulated concrete forms c   m s
  73 Use structural insulated panels to replace wood–framed walls c t m s
  74 Use natural building materials and techniques c   m s
  75 Other sustainable methods or materials used. Please describe: c t m s