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Legalizing Sustainable Housing in California

March 05, 2008

This page is now out of date...If you have reached this page please click here for the latest information about NBN's California Project.

UPDATE: Since the last posting, Quail Springs Learning Oasis and Permaculture Farm has submitted engineered plans to the County of Ventura which have been rejected with concerns about many proven and established natural building methods. The Natural Building Network has received a $1000 matching grant from Quail Springs to compile data, anecdotal evidence and examples of existing codes to support the re-filing of the plans in May. If you would like to contribute to the matching grant, please contact Jack Stephens at jack@nbnetwork.org or call 805-850-9751. Funds can be sent to NBN, PO Box 23631, Eugene, Oregon 97402. Please note "Quail Springs Research" on the memo line of your check or money order.

SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA - On November 20-22, 2006 twenty-five leaders working in sustainability, natural building and ecological living gathered to develop a strategy for integrating these healthy practices into the existing regulatory structure. This project, initiated by Warren Brush of Quail Springs Learning Oasis and Permaculture Farm in Ventura County, with strong support from Jack Stephens of the Natural Building Network, is a very possible solution to the legal challenges faced by people who wish to live on the land sustainably.

Delegates included: David Eisenberg, Dafyd Rawlings, Art Ludwig, Penny Livingston-Stark, Brock Dolman, Dave Henson, Betty Seaman, Joe Jenkins, David Fortson, Derek Roff , Ianto Evans, Michael Smith, Hannah Eckberg, Chris McClellan, Jack Stephens, Carolyn Hernandez, Warren Brush, Ken Rose, Benjamin Fahrer, Mark Lakeman, SunRay Kelley, Jeff Conant and Kristen Gardner.

Legal and bureaucratic obstacles exist in most jurisdictions in the United States for people who wish to apply sustainable solutions to land use and building construction. From rainwater harvesting to permaculture, water storage to strawbale building the onus is heavy on the owner builder to reinvent the wheel one jurisdiction at a time; acting as educator and advocate for a way of living that is often far superior to the status quo. What we are developing in California is the design of a strategy to best legalize sustainable human habitat in cooperation with communities, architects, code officials, legislators and other stakeholders.

Information about the development of this project will be available through the Natural Building Network at www.naturalbuildingnetwork.org. Please email us with your contact information to stay current on the developments of the November gathering and the work that will continue following it (info [at] naturalbuildingnetwork.org). Thank you for your interest and support. Organizing and maintaining this work requires much time, energy and love. Please consider making a donation to the project through the Natural Building Network.