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5.21 Climate Change

Policy COS 17.5: Protect active and passive solar design elements and systems from
shading by neighboring structures and trees through appropriate development
standards.

Policy COS 17.6: Require new landscaping to comply with applicable water efficiency
requirements in the County Code.

Policy COS 17.7: Require low-flow plumbing fixtures in all new developments.

Policy COS 17.9: Require reduction, reuse, and recycling of construction and
demolition debris.

Los Angeles County Green Building Standards Code (Title 31)

In November 2013, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Los Angeles County Green Building
Standards Code (Title 31) in response to the mandates set forth in the CALGreen Code (2010
Green Building Standards Code) (CBSC 2014). Title 31 became effective on January 1, 2014.
Title 22 (Planning and Zoning Code) Green Building and Drought Tolerant Landscaping
requirements are now found in Title 31. The purpose of Title 31 is to improve public health,
safety, and general welfare by enhancing the design and construction of buildings through
the use of building concepts that have a reduced negative impact or positive environmental
impact and that encourage sustainable construction practices in planning and design; energy
efficiency; water efficiency and conservation; material conservation and resource efficiency;
and environmental air quality (Title 31 of the Los Angeles County Code). Notably, Title 31
requires nonresidential buildings that are equal to or greater than 25,000 square feet (sf) to
comply with the CALGreen Code (specifically, Section A5.601.2.4, Voluntary measures for
CALGreen Tier 1). These measures include, but are not limited to, requirements for energy
efficiency, parking for fuel-efficient vehicles, cool roofs, reduction of indoor potable water
use, recycled content of construction materials, reduction in construction and demolition
waste, and thermal insulation (Los Angeles County 2016).

The County’s drought-tolerant landscaping requirements establish minimum standards for
the design and installation of landscaping using drought-tolerant plants and native plants
that require minimal use of water. These requirements include the following: (1) a minimum
of 75 percent of total landscaped area must utilize non-invasive drought-tolerant plant and
tree species appropriate for the climate zone region; (2) a maximum of 25 percent of
landscaped areas may be turf grass; and (3) hydrozoning irrigation techniques shall be
incorporated into the landscape design. Title 31 also establishes low-impact development
(LID) standards for new construction that would conserve water, energy, and natural
resources; divert waste from landfills; minimize impacts to existing infrastructure; and
promote a healthier environment (County of Los Angeles 2016a).

Los Angeles County Tree Planting Ordinance (Title 22)
On March 29, 2016, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Tree Planting Ordinance that does
the following (DRP 2016b):

• Amended Title 22 (Planning and Zoning) of the Los Angeles County Code (“County
Code”) to establish tree planting requirements for new projects and

R:\Projects\PAS\CEN\000306\Draft EIR\5.21 ClimateChange-051117.docx 5.21-36 Centennial Project
Draft EIR