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Resources for Building Sustainably
The Sustainable Building Program provides resources on sustainable building products, methods, and practices; a resource directory of regional businesses that provide local sustainable building services and supplies; as well as, a comprehensive listing of tax incentives for sustainable development and renewable energy.
Draft Sustainable Development Educational Booklet for the Residential Checklist
Sustainable Building Service Provider Directory
Incentives for Sustainable Building
Tiny House Permitting-
- Tiny House Policy 11/18/2020
- Tiny House and ADU Matrix
- International Residential Code Appendix Q for Tiny Houses
Sustainable Site Planning - Minimize negative impacts on sites by conserving and protecting natural systems including soils, plants, watersheds, and wildlife habitats. Maximize open space, accessibility, stormwater retention, community and transportation connectivity, and renewable energy opportunities.
- Passive Solar Design
- Northern Arizona receives over 340 days of sunshine/year.
- With a relatively cold climate and so much sunshine, Flagstaff is an ideal place to take advantage of passive solar energy.
- By orienting your home according to the sun and using specific landscaping strategies, energy consumption for both heating and cooling can be greatly reduced.
- Below are sun angle diagrams that can assist in site planning for solar gain in northern Arizona:
Site Planning
Sun Angles
Summer Solstice
Winter Solstice
- Passive Solar Design Policy
- Trombé Wall Diagram
- Website with modeling tools for overhang length and light penetration
- Erosion Control
- Stormwater
- Low Impact Development
- Invasive Species Management Brochure and Species-specific Management Guide
- Northern Arizona Invasive Plant website
- Xeriscaping, Native Landscape and Pollinator Habitat
- Eco-Friendly Herbicides, Eco-Friendly Termite Control, and Integrated Pest Management
- Wildlife-Friendly Fencing
- Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition's Residential Lighting Tips
- Firewise Communities® Firewise Information:
Building Materials - There are many methods and materials available to improve the quality, durability, and energy efficiency of your home, as well as, reduce its impact on the environment. The County does not recommend any method over another, but we have provided some resources to help you better understand the different materials that are available.
- Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
- Concrete Blocks, Forms and Others
- Strawbale Construction
- Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)
- Earthbuilding
- Greenhouse Design
Energy (Conservation, Renewable)
- 2022 Northern Arizona Solar Co-op
- Department of Energy's Building America Solution Center
- Weatherization Tips and APS $99 Energy Audit (Checkup)
- National Association of Home Builders TechNote on Building Air Tightness
- DOE's Retrofit Techniques & Technologies: Air Sealing
- Energy Efficient Appliances and CCSBP newsletter on Heating Efficiency
- No-Cost & Low-Cost Tips for Saving Energy and Water
- What are Renewable Energy Resources & How do They Work
- Department of Energy's Zero Energy Ready Homes website
- FAQs for Renewable Energy Permitting in Coconino County
- Roof Top Installation Substantive Policy
- Coconino County Accessory Wind Energy Ordinance
- Heating with Wood (CCSBP newsletter)
Atmosphere/Climate - Building a new structure contributes significantly to carbon emissions- about 11% of human-caused carbon emissions worldwide are from building construction. Energy conservation seeks to address operational energy usage, but what about the emissions from producing the building materials and constructing the building itself? This is a separate aspect of sustainability to consider.
- Rewiring America Go Electric Digital Guide covering the benefits of home electrification and the incentives available.
- Videos by County employee Marco Alatorre about home electrification, and the incentives available..
- Spreadsheet of Energy Star certified refrigerators with Low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants sold at Home Depot
- Carbon Smart Building infographic
- Carbon Smart checklist
- City of Flagstaff Residential Electrification Information Hub
- Builders for Climate Action White Paper on Low-Rise Buildings as a Climate Change Solution
- Builders for Climate Action free carbon accounting software, BEAM
- Architecture 2030
- Zero Energy Project
- Climate Friendly Cooling Campaign - Find products with climate-friendly refrigerants
Water Conservation & Reuse - Northern Arizona has an arid climate with limited water resources. The depletion of groundwater is an especially critical issue. Of all the resources we use, water is one we truly cannot live without. It is therefore important to incorporate water conservation measures into building design.
Low Flow Fixtures: Look for EPA's WaterSense Products for reduced flow fixtures
Rainwater Harvesting Resources:
- Rainwater Harvesting & Calculator
- User Guide for Potable Rainwater Harvesting
- Potable Rainwater Collection and Distribution Systems Code (Amendment to IRC)
- Tips on Rainwater Harvesting for Domestic Use
- Gray Water Reuse Permitting in Coconino County brochure
- Gray Water Informational Packet
- Gray Water Rules
- Gray Water Reuse and System Design Resources
- Application packet for Composting Toilet/Gray Water/Septic System
- Mandatory Gray Water Stub-Out Amendment
- ADEQ Proprietary list for composing toilets (allowed products)
- ADEQ Proprietary Product Listing- Barrel and Masonry Chamber Composting Toilet Reference Design
- Website for designer of barrel compost toilet system, David Omick, includes capacity calculations, materials list, and construction and O & M manuals
- Application packet for Composting Toilet/Gray Water/Septic System
Indoor Environmental Quality - Carpets, paints, particle board, detergents, insulation, sealants and household cleaners can contain toxins that are emitted into the indoor air of a home or building.
Other concerns with indoor environmental quality can include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, radon, pet dander, mold, dust and pollens. Minimizing toxins and maximizing ventilation strategies are effective approaches to incorporating good indoor environmental quality in new and existing buildings.
- Carbon Monoxide
- CCSBP newsletter on Radon and EPA Radon website
- EPA's Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality
- EPA's Guide to Building Radon Resistant Homes
Aesthetics
Waste Reduction - Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle
- Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan Template
- Construction Waste Recycling Resources
- What & Where of Recycling
- Coconino County Building Materials Reuse Facebook group page (for giving away, trading, selling building materials)
- Composting
- Donate cleared trees to organizations providing free firewood to community members on the Hopi and Navajo reservations
Other Resources
- Camping & RV Park Sustainability Tips
- List of Books on Sustainable Building Topics at the Flagstaff City- Coconino County Public Library
Permitting Information