Participation in the Green Business Program is a free service to businesses located in West Hollywood.

To be eligible businesses must:      

• Have a commercial brick and mortar location in the City of West Hollywood
• Employ a minimum of two (2) people
• Be in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations
• Fall under one of these sectors:
  • Cannabis Dispensaries
  • Grocery
  • Office
  • Property Management - Commercial
  • Property Management - Residential
  • Retail
  • Restaurant/ Food Service

*Not sure if your business falls under one of the above sectors?  Contact the GBP Team: GBP@sustainableworks.org or call 310.458.8716    

• Businesses must sign up for the program to receive confirmation and instructions on the next steps. Eligible businesses complete the checklist for the corresponding business sector.
• Each sector’s checklist details measures for conserving resources, preventing pollution, reducing carbon emission, and minimizing waste.
• The business will schedule an onsite (or virtual, if needed) assessment with sustainability professionals who provide step-by-step guidance on fulfilling the certification criteria. Various green resources, tools and eco-products will be provided at no cost.

*Ask staff about opportunities to apply for Program Rebates that your business may be eligible for.

Step 1: Registration

• Register with the program here.
• A Green Business Program representative will contact you for an initial consultation.

Step 2: In-Person Assessment

• If the program is a good fit , a brief onsite assessment will be scheduled at convenient time for the business.
• After the assessment, businesses will receive a customized report of measures to complete. Certification criteria is based upon property size and business type.
• Free consulting and training is provided to assist the business in every step of the way.

Step 3: Certification

• Once a business is certified with the City of West Hollywood, they receive:
  • A physical and digital copy of an official certificate
  • Certification logos to place on the business website and any other marketing materials
  • Window decals to display on storefronts
  • An official City Council Commendation Scroll
  • Participation in numerous B2B opportunities
  • Businesses who achieve the Tier 2 Certification are listed in the CAGBN Directory

The amount of time for a business to achieve certification varies. A few factors that determine the duration of the certification process include:

• How many green practices are already in place that are recognized on the business sector’s checklist?

• How complex the facility is (e.g. does it include a commercial kitchen or is it more than 20,000 SF)?

• How committed is the business to making the required changes quickly?

A business with most of the green measures already in place can usually achieve certification within 2-3 months. A business with a more complex facility, which will require comprehensive changes or fixture upgrades, can take up to 6 months. Our program administrators will guide your business through the entire process.

West Hollywood’s Program offers two certification tiers. Businesses can achieve both tiers regardless of owning or leasing their space. Tier 1; Entry Level, can be a great introductory certification for small businesses. Tier 2; Certification Level can work for small to large businesses depending on their ability to make procurement changes and perform minor retrofits if needed. 

In order for businesses to achieve either level, they must implement a minimum number of measures in the areas of water and energy conservation, clean energy, waste reduction, pollution prevention, sustainable transportation, and community.

Additionally, the City offers a limited number of rebates reserved for small businesses.

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

No.  At this time, Green Business Certification is limited to the business sectors listed below:

1. Cannabis Dispensaries
2. Grocery
3. Office/Retail
4. Property Management - Commercial
5. Property Management - Residential
6. Restaurant (includes cafes etc.)

If your sector is not eligible at this time, check back at a later date. As the Program grows, the green checklists will expand to include other sectors.

Restaurants

• SoCal Edison Restaurant Incentives
• SoCal Edison Foodservice Technology Center
• SoCalGas Green Restaurant Guide
• Save water and money using the SoCal WaterSmart commercial rebates for efficient upgrades.
• West Hollywood’s “Straws Upon Request” campaign encourages restaurants to only provide straws upon request. Find out more here.
• West Hollywood has banned single-use plastic bags and polystyrene food service items to reduce waste.
• West Basin Municipal Water District

Retail

• SoCal Edison Retail Incentives
• SoCalGas Business Rebates
• West Hollywood has banned single-use plastic bags and encourages businesses to use alternatives to reduce waste.

Hotels

• SoCal WaterSmart’s Water Savings Incentive Program
• Solar Hot Water Heating
• SoCal Edison Savings Tips for Hotels

• Electric Vehicles
• SoCal Edison’s Charge Ready Program for workplace charging
• California HVIP Program for cleaner trucks and buses

Other

• Upgrade your business' energy efficiency with Willdan Commercial Energy Efficiency Program - Download the contact information HERE 
• Clean Power Alliance – Informational Packet for Commercial Customers
• “Earth Day is Every Day” Tips
• Join the Green Leader Program
• Need financing for a small business energy efficiency project? Click HERE