Green Building & Energy Efficiency Tools

Incorporating “green building” into a project means taking steps to create buildings that are safe and healthy for people and that protect our environment.  While specific methods and products may vary from project to project in general, green building techniques seek to conserve natural resources, increase energy efficiency, and improve indoor air quality in all types of new construction.  Green Building Guidelines for home additions, new construction, and multi-family projects can be found on the County’s Build It Smart website link below.  This website provides tips for incorporating energy efficiency into homes and office buildings, offers County residents opportunities to benefit from reduced energy bills, and business owners to benefit from reduced operating costs as well as improved health and productivity.

Build It Smart

Assisted by a grant from the Southern California Association of Governments, the Ventura County Planning Division developed the Build it Smart website.  This site is a tool to help residents throughout the County makes sense of the multitude of new-and not-so-new-strategies, techniques, building materials, and other products that make building projects and land use decisions smarter and more ecologically responsible.

Ventura County Energy Resource Center

The Ventura County Energy Resource Center (VCERC) provides programs to help reduce energy demand and increase energy efficiency in Ventura County. VCERC has current information on utility rebates and incentive programs; regularly holds free half-day workshops on various building energy efficiency topics; assists public agencies with energy management services including energy equipment retrofits and other upgrades; and maintains a drop-in center with energy efficiency exhibits and information for business, commercial and residential applications.

► "No Cost" Energy Efficiency Design Review