City of Santa Cruz Green Building Award
What is the City of Santa Cruz Green Building Award?
The City of Santa Cruz Green Building Award is a municipal recognition for residential and non-residential construction projects that use high standards of green construction and sustainable design. The City issues it at two levels: an Award Certificate for Excellence in Green Building and an Award Plaque for Exceptional Design. Hansmann Construction, Inc., a third-generation, family-owned general contractor in Santa Cruz County, received this award.
How does a project earn a Green Building Award?
The City of Santa Cruz runs its own Green Building Program, administered by its Building Safety Division. Anyone constructing a new building, adding to a building, or remodeling within the City of Santa Cruz takes part in the program. The path to an award works like this:
Complete the City's Green Building Checklist. The builder or designer selects green building measures from the City's checklist as part of the building permit process. Each measure earns points.
Reach the award point threshold. The City sets a minimum point total for an award. The number varies by project type and size, such as new construction versus remodel.
Aim higher for the plaque. A project that scores about 20% above the minimum award requirement becomes eligible for the Green Building Plaque for Exceptional Design, which can be displayed on the building.
Receive City recognition. Qualifying projects are recognized by the City of Santa Cruz.
The measures on the checklist cover areas the City has identified as priorities: energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and climate protection.
What does this award mean for homeowners?
Green building points are earned through construction decisions made on the job, so the award reflects how a project was designed and built, not how it was marketed. For homeowners, a project that earns this recognition has been planned and built around practices the City itself rates as high standard, which typically means lower energy use, healthier indoor materials, reduced waste.
Green building at Hansmann Construction
Hansmann Construction, Inc. has built in Santa Cruz County since 1979. Because the City of Santa Cruz requires green building checklist participation on new construction, additions, and remodels within city limits, Hansmann's crews are experienced in building to the City's program as a matter of course.
To discuss a custom home or remodel in Santa Cruz, contact Hansmann Construction here.
Frequently asked questions
What is the City of Santa Cruz Green Building Award? It is a recognition issued by the City of Santa Cruz to residential and non-residential projects that use high standards of green construction and sustainable design. There are two levels: an Award Certificate for Excellence in Green Building and an Award Plaque for Exceptional Design.
Did Hansmann Construction win a Green Building Award? Yes. Hansmann Construction, Inc. received the City of Santa Cruz Green Building Award.
How does a project qualify for the award? The builder or designer completes the City's Green Building Checklist during the permit process and earns points for the green measures they select. A project that reaches the City's point threshold qualifies for an award certificate. A project that scores about 20% above that threshold becomes eligible for the plaque for exceptional design.
Is green building required in the City of Santa Cruz? Participation in the City's green building program is required for new construction, additions, and remodels within the City of Santa Cruz. The award goes to projects that earn points beyond the baseline.
Does the award apply to remodels or only new homes? The program covers new construction, additions, and remodels, and both residential and non-residential projects are eligible for awards. [Confirm whether Hansmann's award was for a remodel or new build.]
Where can I learn more about the program? The City of Santa Cruz Planning and Community Development Department, Building Safety Division, administers the Green Building Program and publishes the checklists and guidelines on its website.
