The new building code in Palo Alto, Calif., requires all new buildings to accommodate solar panels and irrigation systems that rely on laundry water. All new single-family residences will have to dedicate 500 square feet on their roof surfaces to allow for solar panels.
Exceptions will be made in cases where the requirement could interfere with trees. All new construction will also have to accommodate later installation of "laundry-to-landscape ready" irrigation systems by including three-way diverter valves in the drain line of laundry fixtures.
Advertisement
Related Stories
Codes + Standards
Public Comment Period Opens for National Green Building Standard Updates
The 45-day public comment period for draft 2 of the 2024 NGBS begins on April 12, 2024
Codes + Standards
Public Comment Period Opens for 2024 National Green Building Standard Update
The 45-day public comment period opened Aug. 18, and comments must be submitted by Oct. 2, 2023
Codes + Standards
The Inefficiencies of the Latest Energy Code
The 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) hampers the return on investment for builders and homebuyers