O27781
City Council Meeting: May 14, 2024 Santa Monica, California
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2778 (CCS)
(City Council Series)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
AMENDING ARTICLE 8 OF THE SANTA MONICA MUNICIPAL CODE
TO ADOPT THE 2022 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE,
REPEAL OUTDATED LOCAL AMENDMENTS, AND ADOPT A 2022 LOCAL
AMENDMENT RELATING TO CONCRETE REQUIREMENTS FOR NEWLY
CONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS
WHEREAS, the California State Building Standards Commission approved and
published the 2022 edition of the California Building Standards Code on July 1, 2022, and
such code becomes effective 180 days thereafter, on January 1, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the 2022 California Building Standards Code includes the 2022
California Green Building Standards Code; and
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958.7 and 18941.5
provide that the City may make changes or modifications to the building standards
contained in the California Building Standards Code based upon express findings that
such changes or modifications are reasonably necessary because of local climatic,
geological, or topographical conditions; and
WHEREAS, Section 101.7.1 of the 2022 California Green Building Standards
Code provides that for the purposes of local amendments to the 2022 California Green
Building Standards Code, local climatic, topographical, or geological conditions include
local environmental conditions as established by the City; and
WHEREAS, at its September 27, 2022 meeting, the Council adopted a resolution
making findings regarding local climatic, geological, topographical, and environmental
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conditions to support certain local amendments to the 2022 California Green Building
Standards Code; and
WHEREAS, consistent with the City’s May 2019 Climate Action & Adaptation Plan,
the local amendments to the 2022 California Green Building Standards Code
implemented by this ordinance will reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, local amendments to the 2022 California Green Building Standards
Code relating to building cement and global warming potential limits were the subject of
meetings between City staff and concrete suppliers ,conducted from July 27, 2023 –
February 1, 2024; and
WHEREAS, local amendments to the 2022 California Green Building Standards
Code relating to building cement and global warming potential limits were reviewed by
the Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment in 2023;
and
WHEREAS, at its September 18, 2023 meeting, the Commission on Sustainability,
Environmental Justice, and the Environment recommended that the City Council adopt a
low carbon ordinance that significantly reduces emissions and protects the environment
and human health; and
WHEREAS, once adopted by the City Council, the local amendments to the 2022
California Green Building Standards Code will, in accordance with Health and Safety
Code Section 17958.7, be submitted to the California Building Standards Commission for
filing, and shall become effective 30 days after this submission.
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NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Purpose
It is the purpose and intent of this Ordinance to adopt the 2022 California Green
Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 11), along with local modifications and changes
that provide local standards that apply to plain and reinforced concrete installed in certain
projects within City of Santa Monica to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
SECTION 2. Chapter 8.106 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code is hereby
amended to read as follows:
8.106.010. Adoption.
That certain document entitled "California Green Building Standards Code, 2022
Edition," as published by the California Building Standards Commission, is hereby
adopted as the Green Building Standards Code of the City of Santa Monica.
8.106.020. Local amendments to the California Green Building Standards Code.
Notwithstanding any provisions of the 2022 California Green Building Standards
Code, 2022 California Energy Code, or other codes adopted by any Chapter in Article VIII
of the Municipal Code to the contrary, the following local amendments shall apply.
SECTION 3. Section 8.106.130 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code is hereby
added to read as follows:
8.106.130 Reduction in cement use.
8.106.130.1 Adoption of Local Amendments.
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That certain document entitled “California Green Building Standards Code, 2022
Edition,” as published by the California Building Standards Commission, is hereby
amended with the following local amendments:
8.106.130.2 Definitions.
Unless defined herein, all defined terms shall be those found in the 2022 California
Green Building Standards Code.
For the application of this section the following definitions shall apply:
Cement Limit: The maximum allowed amount of Cement in concrete at specified
compressive strengths measured in pounds per cubic yards and listed on concrete mix-
designs.
Concrete: Concrete is any approved combination of mineral aggregates bound
together into a hardened conglomerate in accordance with the requirements of this code.
Environmental product declaration (EPD): EPDs present quantified environmental
information on the life cycle of a product to enable comparisons between products fulfilling
the same function. EPDs must conform to ISO 14025, and EN 15804 or ISO 21930, and
have at least a "cradle to gate" scope (which covers product life cycle from resource
extraction to the factory).
High Early Strength Cement: Defined as cement used to produce concrete with
the compressive strength shown on submitted building plans within 12 hours.
Newly-Constructed Building: “Newly-constructed building” means a new structure
that has never before been used or occupied for any purpose or removal and replacement
of an existing structure, or repair, alteration, modification, addition to, or rehabilitation of
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an existing structure, where a demolition will occur, as defined Santa Monica Municipal
Code Section 9.25.030 (A.1) or (A.2).
8.106.130.3 - Scope.
The requirements of this Chapter shall apply to all Newly Constructed Buildings
and swimming pools and spas as provided in Section 8 .106.130.1 for which a building
permit for construction is issued on or after 30 days following the second reading of this
ordinance. Projects that do not meet the thresholds requiring plan review, as determined
by the Building Officer, shall be exempt from this ordinance.
8.106.130.3-California Building Standards Code amendments.
Section 1901.2 of the 2022 California Building Code is hereby amended as
follows:
Structural concrete shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the
requirements of this chapter and ACI 318 as amended in Section 1905 of this code and
Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 8.106.130. Except for the provisions of Sections
1904 and 1907, and other than compliance with Santa Monica Municipal Code Section
8.106.130, the design and construction of slabs on grade shall not be governed by this
chapter unless they transmit vertical loads or lateral forces from other parts of the
structure to the soil.
Section R402.2.1 of the 2022 California Residential Code is hereby amended
as follows:
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R402.2.1 Materials for concrete. Materials for concrete shall comply with the
requirements of Section R608.5.1, as amended by Santa Monica Municipal Code Section
8.106.130.
Section R404.1.3 of the 2022 California Residential Code is hereby amended
as follows:
R404.1.3 Concrete foundation walls. Concrete foundation walls that support light-
frame walls shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions of this
section, ACI 318, ACI 332, or PCA 100, as amended by Santa Monica Municipal Code
Section 8.106.130. Concrete foundation walls that support above-grade concrete walls
that are within the applicability limits of Section R608.2 shall be designed and constructed
in accordance with the provisions of this section, ACI 318, ACI 332, or PCA 100, as
amended by Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 8.106.130. Concrete foundation walls
that support above-grade concrete walls that are not within the applicability limits of
Section R608.2 shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions of
ACI 318, ACI 332, or PCA 100, as amended by Santa Monica Municipal Code Section
8.106.130. Where ACI 318, ACI 332, PCA 100 or the provisions of this section, as
amended by Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 8.106.130, are used to design
concrete foundation walls, project drawings, typical details and specifications are not
required to bear the seal of the architect or engineer responsible for design, unless
otherwise required by the state law of the jurisdiction having authority.
Section R506.1 of the 2022 California Residential Code is hereby amended
as follows:
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R506.1 General. Concrete slab-on-ground floors shall be designed and
constructed in accordance with the provisions of this section or ACI 332, as amended by
Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 8.106.130. Floors shall be a minimum 3 1/2 inches
(89mm) thick (for expansive soils, see Section R403.1.8). The specified compressive
strength of concrete shall be as set forth in Section R402.2.
Section R608.5 of the 2022 California Residential Code is hereby amended
as follows:
R608.5 Materials. Materials used in the construction of concrete walls shall comply
with this section, as amended by, Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 8.106.130.
Section 301 of the 2022 California Green Building Standards Code is hereby
augmented with the following:
301.6 Low-carbon concrete requirements for all projects . Plain and reinforced
concrete installed as part of any project subject to the application of this code shall
demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Santa Monica Municipal Code Section
8.106.130, the full text of which is herein added to this code by reference.
Section 5.409.3 Product GWP compliance – prescriptive path of the
California Green Building Standards Code is hereby adopted and amended as
follows:
5.409.3 Product GWP compliance – prescriptive path . Each product that is
permanently installed and listed in Table 5.409.3 shall have a Type III environmental
product declaration (EPD), either product-specific or factory-specific. All concrete must
comply with section 5.409.3.2.
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TABLE 5.409.3
PRODUCT GWP LIMITS
Buy Clean California
Materials Product
Category 1
Maximum acceptable
GWP value
(unfabricated)
(GWP allowed)
Unit of Measurement
Hot-rolled structural
steel sections
1.77 MT CO2e/MT
Hollow structural
sections
3.00 MT CO2e/MT
Steel plate 2.61 MT CO2e/MT
Concrete reinforcing
steel
1.56 MT CO2e/MT
Flat glass 2.50 kg CO2e/MT
Light-density mineral
wool board insulation
5.83 kg CO2e/1 m2
Heavy-density mineral
wool board insulation
14.28 kg CO2e/1 m2
Concrete, Ready-Mixed 2, 3
Concrete Product
Category
Maximum GWP
allowed value
(GWP allowed)
Unit of Measurement
up to 2499 psi 450 kg CO2e/m3
2500-3499 psi 489 kg CO2e/m3
3500-4499 psi 566 kg CO2e/m3
4500-5499 psi 661 kg CO2e/m3
5500-6499 psi 701 kg CO2e/m3
6500 psi and greater 799 kg CO2e/m3
Concrete, Lightweight Ready-Mixed 2
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CConcrete Product
Category
Maximum GWP
allowed value (GWP
allowed)
Unit of Measurement
up to 2499 psi 875 kg CO2e/m3
2500-3499 psi 956 kg CO2e/m3
3500-4499 psi 1,039 kg CO2e/m3
Footnotes:
1. The GWP values of the products listed in Table 5.409.3 are based on 175
percent of Buy Clean California Act (BCCA) GWP values, except for concrete
products which are not included in BCCA.
2. For concrete, 175 percent of the National Ready Mix Concrete Association
(NRMCA) 2022 version 3 Pacific Southwest regional benchmark values are used
for the GWP allowed, except for High Early strength.
3. Concrete High Early Strength ready-mixed shall be calculated at 130 percent of
the Ready mixed concrete GWP allowed values for each product category.
Notation:
Authority: Health and Safety Code Section 18930.5
Reference(s): Health and Safety Code Section 18930.5
5.409.3.1 Products shall not exceed the maximum GWP value specified in Table
5.409.3.
Exception: Concrete may be considered one product category to meet
compliance with this section. A weighted average of the maximum GWP for all concrete
mixes installed in the project shall be less than the weighted average maximum GWP
allowed per Table 5.409.3 using Exception Equation 5.409.3.1. Calculations shall be
performed with consistent units of measurement for the material quantity and the GWP
value. For the purposes of this exception, industry wide EPD’s are acceptable.
Exception EQUATION 5.409.3.1
GWPn < GWPallowed
where
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GWPn = Σ (GWPn)(vn) and GWPallowed = Σ (GWPallowed)(vn)
and
n = each concrete mix installed in the project
GWPn = the GWP for concrete mix n per concrete mix EPD, in kg CO2e /m3
GWPallowed = the GWP potential allowed for concrete mix n per Table 5.409.3
vn = the volume of concrete mix n installed in the project, in m3
5.409.3.2. Verification of compliance. Calculations to demonstrate compliance,
Type III EPDs for products required to comply if included in the project, and Worksheet
WS-5 signed by the design professional of record shall be provided on the construction
documents. Updated EPDs for products used in construction shall be provided to the
owner at the close of construction and to the enforcement entity upon request. The
enforcing agency may require inspection and inspection reports in accordance with
Sections 702.2 and 703.1 during and at completion of construction to demonstrate
substantial conformance. Inspection shall be performed by the design professional of
record or third party acceptable to the enforcing agency.
5.409.3.2 Reduction in cement use requirements.
All plain and reinforced concrete installed in residential and non-residential Newly
Constructed Buildings and swimming pools and spas as provided in Section 8.106.130.1
for which a building permit for construction is issued on or after 30 days after the second
reading of this ordinance shall comply with Section 5.409.3 to reduce embodied carbon
in concrete. Projects that do not meet the thresholds requiring plan review, as determined
by the Building Officer, shall be exempt from this ordinance.
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5.409.3.2.1.
Products shall comply with the requirements for product GWP or Cement Limit
performance in accordance with Section 5.409.3 using the maximum acceptable GWP or
Cement Limit value for the product category listed in Table 5.409.3.5.
5.409.3.3 Project Based Compliance:
A weighted average of the maximum GWP or Cement Limit for all concrete mixes
installed in the project shall be less than the weighted average maximum GWP or Cement
Limit allowed per Table 5.409.3.5 using Project Based Equation 5.409.3.3A or 5.409.3.3B
Calculations shall be performed with consistent units of measurement for the material
quantity and the GWP or Cement Limit value. For the purposes of this exception, industry
wide EPD’s are acceptable.
Project Based GWP Equation 5.409.3.3A
GWPn < GWP allowed
where
GWPn = Σ (GWPn)(vn) and GWP allowed = Σ (GWP allowed)(vn)
and
n = each concrete mix installed in the project
GWPn = the GWP for concrete mix n per concrete mix EPD, in kg CO2e /m 3
GWP allowed = the GWP potential allowed for concrete mix n per Table 5.409.3.5
vn = the volume of concrete mix n installed in the project, in m3
Project Based Cement Limit Equation 5.409.3.3B
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Cem proj < Cem allowed
where
Cem proj = ΣCem n v n and Cem allowed = ΣCem lim v n
and
n = the total number of concrete mixtures for the project
Cem n = the cement content for mixture n , kg/m 3 or lb/yd 3
Cem lim = the maximum cement content for mixture n per Table 5.409.3.5 kg/m 3 or
lb/yd 3
v n = the volume of mixture n concrete to be placed, yd 3 or m 3
Applicant can use yd 3 or m 3 for calculation, but must keep same units throughout
5.409.3.4. Verification of compliance.
Calculations to demonstrate compliance, Type III EPDs for products required to
comply if included in the project, or Mix Designs showing the cement content, and the
Acknowledgement Worksheet signed by the design professional of record shall be
provided on the construction documents. Updated EPDs or Mix Designs for products used
in construction shall be provided to the owner at the close of construction and to the City.
The City requires inspection and inspection reports in accordance with Sections 702.2
and 703.1 during and at completion of construction to demonstrate substantial
conformance. Inspection shall be performed by the design professional of record or third
party acceptable to the City
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TABLE 5.409.3.5
Concrete GWP and Cement Limits
Note: Acceptable supplementary cementitious materials used to replace cement
in concrete mix designs include but are not limited to:
1. Fly ash conforming to ASTM C618.
2. Slag cement (GGBFS) conforming to ASTM C989.
3. Silica fume conforming to ASTM C1240.
4. Natural pozzolan conforming to ASTM C618.
5. Blended supplementary cementitious materials conforming to ASTM C1697.
6. Ultra-fine fly ash (UFFA) conforming to ASTM C618.
7. Metakaolin conforming to ASTM C618.
8. Ground-glass pozzolan per ASTM C1866/C1866M.
9.Other materials with comparable or superior environmental benefits, as
approved by the Engineer of Record and enforcing authority.
Concrete, Ready-Mixed
Cement Limits Global Warming Potential
(GWP) Limits
Minimum specified 28 day
compressive strength f’c, psi
Maximum cement
content, lbs/yd3
Maximum Global Warming
Potential (GWP) kg CO2e/m3
up to 2500 362 260
3000 410 289
4000 456 313
5000 503 338
6000 531 356
7000 594 394
7001 and higher 657 433
up to 2499 light weight 512 500
Up to 3499 light weight 571 546
Up to 4499 light weight 629 594
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Notes
(1) For concrete strengths between the stated values, use linear interpolation to
determine cement and/or GWP limits.
(2) Cement of any type per ASTM C150, ASTM C595.
(3) Project applicants can choose to comply using the Maximum Cement limits OR the
Maximum Global Warming Potential limits.
5.409.3.6 Allowable Increases.
1. Cement or GWP limits shown in Table 5.409.3.5 can be increased by 30%
for concrete demonstrated in writing to the Building Official or for Public Works Projects,
the City Engineer, as requiring high early strength. Such concrete could include precast,
prestressed concrete; beams and slabs above grade; shotcrete; and other applications
as demonstrated in writing by the Professional Engineer or other licensed professionals.
2. Approved Cements. The industry-average EPD describing Portland
cements produced in the United States by the Portland Cement Association, certified by
ASTM, lists a Portland cement global warming potential of 922 kg CO2e/metric ton. If
your plant specific EPD for a cement or blended cement, demonstrated to the Building
Official by an approved EPD, is lower than 922 kg CO2e/metric ton an increase in cement
is allowed (e.g. use of ASTM 595 Type 1L Cement). The maximum cement content may
be increased above the compliance level in Table 5.409.3.5 proportionate to the
percentage difference in GWP of the plant specific EPD and the industry-average 922 kg
CO2e/metric ton.
Formula: 922 – Plant Specific GWP = Difference
Difference/922 = Percent Allowable Increase
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For example: A plant specific EPD of 900 kg CO2e/metric ton could allow up to a
2% increase in allowable cement.
922– 900 = 22
22/922 = 0.02.
5.409.3.7 Exemptions.
If an applicant for a project subject to this chapter believes that circumstances exist
that make it a hardship or infeasible to meet the requirements of this chapter, the applicant
may request an exemption in writing to the building department or Public Works (for City
project or work within the Public Right of Way). In applying for an exemption, the burden
is on the applicant to show hardship or infeasibility. Circumstances that constitute
hardship or infeasibility may include:
There is a lack of commercially available material necessary to comply with
this chapter. Applicant must provide written notice from at least two local
concrete suppliers that there is a lack of commercially available materials
necessary to comply.
The cost of the concrete mix that achieves compliance is more than the cost
of a 100% Portland cement (ASTM C-150) or a 100% Portland limestone
cement (ASTM C-595 Type 1L) mix. Applicant must provide quotes from at
least two local concrete suppliers comparing the cost of a 100% PC (ASTM-
150) or 100% PLC (ASTM C-595 Type 1L) mix and equivalent strength low-
carbon concrete mix.
Emergency purchases made in conformance with Section 2.24.240;
Building permit applications submitted over the counter are exempt from
this ordinance.
This Chapter does not apply to pre-packaged proprietary concrete bags
used for small quantities (less than 3 yards) or where there is an immediate
need for on-site concrete mixing.
SECTION 4. Any provision of the Santa Monica Municipal Code or appendices
thereto inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, to the extent of such
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inconsistencies and no further, is hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary to
effect the provisions of this Ordinance.
SECTION 5. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this
Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any
court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed
this Ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase not
declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of the ordinance
would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 6. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage of
the Ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause the same to be published once in the official
newspaper within 15 days after its adoption. This Ordinance shall become effective thirty
days after adoption. Building permit applications submitted on or after the effective date
of this Ordinance shall be required to comply with the requirements set forth herein.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________
Douglas Sloan, City Attorney
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Approved and adopted this 14th day of May, 2024.
_____________________________
Phil Brock, Mayor
State of California )
County of Los Angeles ) ss.
City of Santa Monica )
I, Nikima S. Newsome, Interim City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 2778 (CCS) had its introduction
on April 23, 2024 and was adopted at the Santa Monica City Council meeting
held on May 14, 2024, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers de la Torre, Torosis, Davis, Parra, Zwick,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ATTEST:
_____________________________________ _________________
Nikima S. Newsome, Interim City Clerk Date
A summary of Ordinance No. 2778 (CCS) was duly published pursuant to
California Government Code Section 40806.
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