Commission approves changes to ADU green‑building requirements in Administrative Bulletin 93

The Building Inspection Commission voted unanimously to support proposed changes to Administrative Bulletin 93, which implements the city’s green building requirements for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Barry Hooper, senior green building coordinator, told commissioners the bulletin change would treat small freestanding ADUs (generally up to 800–1,000 square feet) the same as ADUs built within an existing building envelope for the purpose of green‑building compliance.

DBI staff said the city currently requires new freestanding ADUs to meet the GreenPoint Rated standard in addition to CalGreen, a statewide standard; the proposed change would allow freestanding ADUs to follow CalGreen and local measures better aligned with the size and site constraints of small ADUs. Staff framed the update as aligning the bulletin with current DBI implementation practice and reducing unnecessary barriers and costs to building ADUs.

Commissioners asked about possible abuses (for example, building a new structure and labeling it an ADU), the practical differences between the two standards and whether the change might complicate other zoning and subdivision rules. DBI staff answered that the bulletin’s definition requires the ADU be accessory to an existing structure on the same lot and that planning/zoning questions remain under planning commission jurisdiction. Deputy Director Neville Pereira and others highlighted that the change aims to improve affordability and streamline permitting without removing opportunities to adopt additional sustainability measures voluntarily.

The commission supported the bulletin amendment by unanimous roll call vote.