Chula Vista’s Sustainable Communities Program: Reach Codes, Permitting, Planning Tools, and More
The Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) is one of the main components of the Chula Vista Local Government Partnership (LGP) with SDG&E. The SCP was launched in 2009 and is led by a SCP Coordinator with support from other Development Services Department staff. The SCP directly supports a number of goals in the California Long-term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan, especially related to “reach” codes and energy code compliance. The program has made possible the following:
- Adoption of the Reach Code – The Increased Energy Efficiency Ordinance that requires an additional 15%- 20% of energy savings (over 2008 Title 24) for new construction and some remodels was adopted in January 2010.
- Expedited Plan Review – Chula Vista also offers a voluntary program that will expedite Plan Review for projects that reach the energy savings of CalGreen’s Tier 2 at 30% better than the State Energy Code.
- Future Energy Efficiency Measures – new homes are required to be pre-wired for future Photovoltaics and pre-plumbed for future Solar Thermal Heating.
Read more in this SEEC fact sheet on Chula Vista’s program here.