Sausalito Mandates Low-Carbon Concrete in Construction

New building code updates aim to reduce emissions from construction materials.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:35pm

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An abstract, highly structured painting in soft earth tones depicting the complex chemical and physical processes involved in concrete production, using geometric shapes, concentric circles, and botanical spirals to convey the intricate scientific nature of this construction material.Sausalito's new low-carbon concrete mandate aims to reduce the environmental impact of construction materials through innovative building code policies.Sausalito Today

The city of Sausalito, California has approved new building code requirements that mandate the use of low-carbon concrete in all construction projects. This policy change is part of a broader update to the city's energy and environmental building standards to comply with state laws and reach climate goals.

Why it matters

Concrete production is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, so Sausalito's new low-carbon concrete mandate is an important step in reducing the city's carbon footprint from the building sector. This policy follows similar actions taken by other Marin County cities like Mill Valley, positioning Sausalito as a regional leader in sustainable construction practices.

The details

The Sausalito City Council unanimously approved the updated building code, which includes a new requirement for builders to use low-carbon concrete. This change was added to the code during the final approval process, building on previous updates to the city's energy efficiency and emissions reduction standards for new construction. The low-carbon concrete provision was praised by local sustainability advocates as an effective way to address a major source of embodied carbon in buildings.

  • The city council gave preliminary approval to residential energy efficiency standards last fall.
  • The final building code updates, including the low-carbon concrete requirement, were approved on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Sausalito City Council

The governing body of the city of Sausalito, California that unanimously approved the updated building code including the new low-carbon concrete mandate.

Alexandra Anderson

The sustainability and resiliency manager for the city of Sausalito who stated that low-carbon concrete standards address a significant source of embodied carbon in construction materials.

Mark Palmer

The chair of the Sausalito Sustainability Commission who praised California's ongoing efforts to update building codes and standards to reduce energy use and emissions.

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What they’re saying

“Low-carbon concrete standards address emissions from construction materials, specifically concrete, which is a significant source of embodied carbon.”

— Alexandra Anderson, Sustainability and Resiliency Manager

“California has shown that strong building standards work. California's energy consumption per capita is among the lowest in the nation, second only to Hawaii, and it's been declining — down nearly 9% in the last decade.”

— Mark Palmer, Chair, Sausalito Sustainability Commission

What’s next

The city will need to work with local construction companies and material suppliers to ensure the availability and cost-competitiveness of low-carbon concrete options for both public and private projects in Sausalito.

The takeaway

Sausalito's new building code requirement for low-carbon concrete is an important step in the city's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the construction sector. This policy aligns with broader state-level initiatives to improve the environmental performance of buildings and puts Sausalito at the forefront of sustainable construction practices in the region.