Saratoga, CA, Eyes Big Green Step in Residential Construction

San Jose Mercury News

Green construction isn't just fashionable anymore — it has become mainstream.

Environmentally friendly materials, once thought to be extravagant and out of reach for the average homeowner, are now being used in many architectural plans for single-family homes and commercial buildings.

And although Saratoga is known for its environmentally conscious residents and politicians, the city is looking to go one step further in assuring that new construction projects are using more sustainable materials and installing energy-efficient appliances.

The Saratoga Planning Commission is discussing adopting a new city code that would require homeowners to achieve at least 50 points on a "green" checklist that gives points for everything from installing a solar water heating system to planting native, drought-resistant plants on their properties.

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