Cottonwood Creek exceeds California Title 24 building requirements by 15 percent. The following list of enhanced environmental features is based on the BRIDGE Green Building Standards, and assumed guidelines for the forthcoming LEED residential standards:

Site Sustainability

• Within walking distance of parks, shopping, public transportation and schools
• Pedestrian friendly design
• Secure bicycle storage for residents

Energy Conservation

• Entire development is 15% above California's Title 24 energy efficiency building code requirement
• 65 kilowatt solar photovoltaic panel system that will generate 100% of development's common area electricity needs
• Energy Star refrigerators, dishwashers, washers and dryers
• Efficient fluorescent lights
• Operable windows for ventilation
• Radiant heat barrier on underside of roof
• Maximized daylighting
• LED exit signs
• Thermally efficient windows (low-e glass windows where appropriate)
• Insulation with high R values
• Raised heel trusses for increased insulation
• Tight building envelope
• Front loading washers and dryers
• Thermostats in every unit
• Individually metered electricity in all units
• Motions sensors in community building
• Strategically placed and selected landscaping to minimize solar gain in summer and allow solar gain in winter

Water Efficiency

• High efficiency showerheads
• High efficiency faucets
• High efficiency toilets
• Native and drought tolerant or resistant landscaping
• Water-efficient irrigation for landscaping
• Front loading washers

Building Materials

• Built-in recycling drawer and recycling bin in each unit
• Formaldehyde-free cabinets and countertops
• CRI Green Label Plus carpeting in units and community room
• 50% of construction waste salvaged or recycled
• High volume fly ash concrete (up to 30%) in foundations and sidewalks (recycled waste product)
• Fiber cement siding and trim
• Playground surface cushion made from 100% recycled tire byproducts
• Tile flooring in community and pool bathrooms
• Highly sustainable community kitchen countertop made from recycled glass bottles
• Low-mercury products select when fluorescent lights are used

Indoor Air Quality

• Well-ventilated units (operable windows, bath fans, kitchen range hoods vent to the outside)
• Smoke-free public spaces
• Chemical and pollutant source control at entries
• Single-switch fans in bathrooms for improved ventilation
• Stovetop hoods vented to exterior
• Bathrooms include fans vented to exterior
• Formaldehyde free cabinets and countertops
• Low and no VOC interior paint
• Low VOC carpeting in all units and community room

Storm Water Treatment

• Bio-swales and bio-basin to treat on-site storm water runoff
• Increased permeable surfaces through the use of GrassPave for emergency vehicle access routes