EarthCraft

Certification Pathway 4: Applicable for EarthCraft @ 0.25, 0.35, and 0.45 FAR Tiers:

Applicants are required to provide all documentation specific to each individual permit stage. Submittals may not include materials intended for future or subsequent review phases.

Clearing, Grading, and Demolition

Provide an updated EarthCraft scorecard, and a letter from the project’s EarthCraft Technical Advisor stating that the kick-off meeting has been completed.

Excavation, Sheeting, and Shoring

  • Provide an updated EarthCraft scorecard, and a letter from the project’s EarthCraft Technical Advisor stating that progress is being made on all credits.
  • Acknowledge that ENERGY STAR and WaterSense components are included in the project as required by the site plan condition.
  • Meet with County staff to discuss how an energy model is being used to inform the choice of insulation, windows, HVAC systems, and other components to meet the energy reduction requirements.
  • Specify the energy monitoring equipment needed to track whole building energy use and meet with County staff to discuss future energy benchmarking and tracking requirements. This meeting should include the project Developer.

 

Final Building Permit

  • Provide an updated EarthCraft scorecard, and a letter from the project’s EarthCraft Technical Advisor stating that progress is being made on all credits.
  • Provide a preliminary report on all ENERGY STAR components and reduced lighting density as they must be met for final project approval. Although specific site plan conditions may vary, common ENERGY STAR components include:
    • Clothes Washers
    • Dishwashers
    • Refrigerators
    • Ceiling Fans
    • Ventilation Fans (Kitchen & Bathroom)
  • Provide a preliminary report on all WaterSense plumbing fixtures.
  • Provide an update showing final selections for lighting in residential units. ENERGY STAR’s Advanced Lighting Package can be used to comply with residential lighting requirements of site plan condition. More information, including dozens of photos 8 of ENERGY STAR compliant light fixtures, at https://www.energystar.gov/products/light_fixtures.
  • For the commercial lighting areas of multifamily residential projects (lobbies, corridors, stairwells, common rooms, fitness rooms, etc.), submit documentation that the project team has reduced the need for lighting through incorporating:
    • Daylighting strategies where possible
    • Energy-efficient fixtures o Energy-efficient bulbs, with LEDs preferred
    • Motion sensors and/or timers
  • Submit specification sheets for intended rooftop lighting fixtures demonstrating compliance with the County’s Baseline Requirement for Light Pollution Reduction.

Shell and Core Certificate of Occupancy

  • Provide an updated EarthCraft scorecard, and a letter from the project’s EarthCraft Technical Advisor stating that progress is being made on all credits.
  • Provide final documentation on ENERGY STAR and WaterSense components and common area lighting as stipulated in the site plan condition. 
  • Provide the results of the EarthCraft Mid-construction testing.

 

First Partial Certificate of Occupancy

Coordinate and complete a site visit with the County’s Green Building Staff to verify the green building elements as stipulated in the site plan condition.

Partial Certificate of Occupancy on the Last Floor of Space

  • Provide an updated EarthCraft scorecard, and a letter from the project’s EarthCraft Technical Advisor stating that progress is being made on all credits.
  • Provide a narrative that all County Baseline Prerequisites and Extra List Items are incorporated into the project.
  • Create an ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager account for the project and input building characteristics as required for the project’s space type, including gross floor areas and all meters for all fuel types used onsite, including emergency generators.
  • Post financial security for EarthCraft and ENERGY STAR certification as required by the site plan condition.

Master Certificate of Occupancy

Provide the final EarthCraft certification and the results of the EarthCraft Final testing, or a status update if the project has not yet received its award. The County’s Green Buildings Staff will release the green building bond once the EarthCraft award has been received. Please note that if ENERGY STAR certification is required as part of the project’s site plan condition, it must be achieved within 48 months from the date of the Partial Certificate of Occupancy for any space on the last floor of space for which a Certificate of Occupancy Permit is issued, after which the ENERGY STAR bond will be returned.

 

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