Green Business Certification

Business Adult Senior

The Santa Monica Green Business Certification Program is an official certification program of the City of Santa Monica under the guidelines of the California Green Business Network (CAGBN). The certification criteria are established by the CAGBN and local city ordinances. Green Business Programs help fosters more livable communities with healthier environments, while also conserving resources and helping businesses cut costs.

Jump to Section:

FAQ

Who can apply for Green Business Certification?

Businesses must:

Have a commercial business location in the City of Santa Monica*
Occupy a minimum of 500 square feet
Employ minimum of two (2) employees
Be in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations
Be in operation for minimum 3 months under one of the following sectors:
- Office
- Retail
- Restaurant
- Grocer
- Lodging
- Arts & Culture Facilities
- Schools
- Salons
- *Home Offices (limited spaces)

**BIPOC/Hispanic/Latinx, LGBTQ, and certified minority-owned businesses are eligible to receive up to $1,000 in rebates for costs incurred to achieve the certification.

How does a business obtain Green Business Certification?

Businesses must sign-up for the program to receive confirmation and instructions on next steps. Eligible businesses must complete the checklist for the corresponding business sector.

Each sector specific checklist details measures for conserving resources, preventing pollution, reducing carbon emissions, and minimizing waste. **BIPOC/Hispanic/Latinx, LGBTQ, and certified minority-owned businesses are eligible to receive up to $1,000 rebate to cover costs incurred to achieve the certification. Limited funding available.

The program administrator schedules onsite (or virtual) visits to guide you on fulfilling the measures, verify the specified measures that are already in place, and provide employee education where needed. Various resources and tools are provided (where applicable) at low to no cost. Once all of the required and minimal number of optional measures are verified, we issue the city's official green certification.

How long does it take to get through the certification process?

The amount of time for a business to achieve certification varies depending on several factors i.e., how many green practices are already in place, how complex the facility is (e.g., does it include a commercial kitchen or is it more than 20,000 sq ft?), and how committed the business is to making the required changes quickly. A business that has most of the green measures already in place can usually achieve certification within 2-3 months. A more complex facility requiring comprehensive changes or fixture upgrades can take up to 6 months. Our team helps guide you through the entire process!

What is the cost of participating?

Participating in the Santa Monica Green Business Program is a free service to businesses located in cities where funding is subsidized. Eligible businesses may qualify for a fee waiver per a CA Green Business Network (CAGBN) grant through 2023 - along with associated rebates! Ask our team for more details. When fee waivers are not available, businesses are required to submit the appropriate fee based on their business sector and size along with the completed checklist. However, we often gain CAGBN grants to cover the fee portion. Contact the Green Business Program team for assistance.

How long does a certification last?

Once the businesses pass the onsite verification visit, they are certified for a three-year period from the final onsite visit day. Certified businesses will receive a 3-month notification via email before they are due for renewal.

How does a business renew certification after three years?

The Green Business Certification checklist for the appropriate sector must be completed again by fulfilling the required core measures and minimal number of optional measures.

Can I still apply for Green Business Certification if my business does not fall under one of the sectors listed?

No. At this time, Green Business Certification is limited to the business sectors listed in Eligibility. As the GBC program grows, the green checklists will expand to include other sectors. To verify eligibility, please contact staff.

How did this program start?

These programs are subsidized by local governments to make it accessible to small and medium-sized businesses in California.

The certification movement came from the need to recognize excellence in the many steps businesses take to incorporate sustainable practices into their operations. Until certification programs took root, customers had no way of recognizing which businesses were going "green." The City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica Travel + Tourism, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Buy Local Santa Monica, and Sustainable Works partner together to recognize Santa Monica green certified businesses.