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Certified Development Program

A program designed to assist developers in San Mateo County with their TDM requirements

The Certified Development Program is designed to provide developers with projects in San Mateo County with a formal certification of their active participation in Commute.org programs and services. Active participation may be a requirement for developments that are subject to the C/CAG Countywide TDM Policy and may also be a TDM requirement imposed on developers by jurisdictions that are not subject to the C/CAG policy. The goal of the program is to provide developers access to a set of TDM programs and services that can be integrated into the other tools they will use to reduce VMT and trip counts to new commercial, residential, or mixed-use developments in San Mateo County.

Program Overview
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Certification Process
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Requirements for Active Participation
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Resources

FAQ

Certified Development Program Overview

A development project can earn certification in the Commute.org Certified Development Program by successfully completing the process described below. The developer must apply for and receive Pre-Certification during the pre-construction phase and then, upon completion of the development, comply with the remaining steps to achieve full Certification.

Any development project subject to the C/CAG Countywide TDM Policy may be required to receive and retain Certified Development Program status. Projects in jurisdictions that are exempt from the C/CAG policy, may or may not be required to have the certification. The VMT mitigation and TDM programming agreements between the developers and the exempt jurisdictions can, but are not required to, include the Certified Development Program requirement.

Commute.org’s TDM Policy team will provide guidance and support to developers throughout the process. An online platform will be used to track compliance and record completed documentation.

Contact the TDM Policy Team

Certification Process

Each development project that needs or wants to be certified must complete the following steps:

  1. Register with Commute.org and provide the following information:
    • Project name
    • Project address
    • Project description including proposed land use(s), square footage/units, parking
    • Development timeline and expected occupancy date(s)
    • Developer contact(s)
    • TDM contact(s): person(s) responsible for the TDM component of the development plan (may be a third-party consultant)
    • Jurisdiction contact(s): local jurisdiction staff that the developer is working with
  2. Consult with Commute.org staff to verify the certification process and requirements for active participation.
  3. Submit a signed Letter of Commitment confirming that the developer and/or their successor(s) will be active participants with Commute.org.
  4. Provide a copy of the C/CAG TDM Policy Checklist or equivalent documentation from local jurisdiction (if applicable).
  5. Receive a Pre-Certification Letter from Commute.org that confirms registration and commitment to active participation. Commute.org will send a letter to the developer and appropriate jurisdiction contact. This letter must be submitted to C/CAG along with the TDM Checklist (if applicable).
  6. Achieve certification status within six months of receiving Certificate of Occupancy. Requires completion of Commute.org program training and submittal of initial TDM Survey.
  7. Maintain annual certification status with Commute.org by complying with the requirements for active participation.

Requirements for Active Participation

Development projects will be considered active participants with Commute.org if they comply with the requirements below. Commute.org will track active participation on an ongoing basis through our online monitoring platform and provide appropriate jurisdictions with annual updates regarding active participation. Participating jurisdictions will also have access to the platform for ongoing monitoring and reporting purposes.

  1. Provide a copy of the Final TDM Plan approved by the local jurisdiction (if applicable)
  2. Provide a copy of the Final TDM Checklist or similar TDM requirements list approved by C/CAG or the local jurisdiction (if applicable)
  3. During the development phase:
    • Maintain an active point(s) of contact
    • Receive communications from Commute.org
    • Inform Commute.org of any significant development changes (e.g., land use, project size, TDM Plan, development timeline/occupancy date, ownership)
  4. During the post-development phase:
    • Maintain an active point(s) of contact
    • Receive communications from Commute.org
    • Identify the party(ies) responsible for complying with the ongoing requirements (e.g., developer, property manager, third-party consultant, key tenant)
      • If the developer outsources property management or leases the property to a single tenant, then the developer shall require the property manager and/or key tenant to register with Commute.org
      • If the development undergoes a change of ownership, then the seller is responsible for ensuring that the acquirer is introduced to Commute.org and that the responsibilities for achieving or retaining certification transfer to the new owner
    • Responsible party is required to:
      • Attend annual Commute.org program training
      • Actively promote applicable Commute.org programs and services to tenants
      • Host an annual transportation-oriented event for tenants
      • Sponsor and/or participate in Commute.org’s challenges and special events
      • Participate in a Commute.org sponsored shuttle if the project is located on or near an existing shuttle route
      • Comply with the requirements of the Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program (only applies to tenants with 50+ employees)
      • Complete the following surveys on an ongoing basis:
        • TDM Survey: annual update of Commute.org TDM Survey confirming programs and services offered at the development
        • TDM Self-Certification: biennial confirmation of compliance with the C/CAG TDM Policy (if applicable)
        • Tenant Travel Behavior Survey: biennial survey of tenants’ employees to capture commute mode and frequency

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Certified Development Program?

Certified Development Program is designed to provide developers with projects in San Mateo County with a formal certification of their active participation in Commute.org programs and services. Active participation may be a requirement for developments that are subject to the C/CAG Countywide TDM Policy and may also be a TDM requirement imposed on developers by jurisdictions that are not subject to the C/CAG policy. The goal of the program is to provide developers access to a set of TDM programs and services that can be integrated into the other tools they will use to reduce VMT and trip counts to new commercial, residential, or mixed-use developments in San Mateo County.

What is the C/CAG TDM Policy?

The C/CAG Land Use Impact Analysis Program Policy – also known as the “TDM Policy” – is a component of the San Mateo Congestion Management Program (CMP). The TDM Policy provides guidelines for analyzing the impact of land use decisions made by local municipalities in San Mateo County. The purpose of the policy is to preserve acceptable performance on the countywide CMP network, and to establish community standards for consistent, system-wide review of development-related transportation impacts.

As of January 1, 2022, the C/CAG TDM Policy requires local jurisdictions in San Mateo County to:

  • Notify C/CAG of new development projects that generate at least 100 Average Daily Trips (ADT)
  • Have project applicants complete a TDM Checklist committing them to reduce vehicle trips to the site by implementing TDM measures

All C/CAG member jurisdictions must comply unless expressly exempt by C/CAG due to local requirements meeting or exceeding the trip reduction targets set by the Policy.

Is my development required to be certified?

Any development project subject to the C/CAG TDM Policy may be required to receive and retain Certified Development Program status. Projects in jurisdictions that are exempt from the C/CAG policy, may or may not be required to have the certification. The VMT mitigation and TDM programming agreements between the developers and the exempt jurisdictions can, but are not required to, include the Certified Development Program requirement.

Is my development located in a jurisdiction that is subject to the C/CAG TDM Policy?

All jurisdictions in San Mateo County are subject to the TDM Policy – unless expressly exempted by C/CAG. To determine if your development is located in an exempt jurisdiction, please contact the TDM Policy team here.

Where can I find the C/CAG TDM Checklist?

The C/CAG TDM Checklists are available here and vary by the land use and estimated Average Daily Trips (ADT) of the development. Developments that are subject to the C/CAG TDM Policy must provide a copy of the TDM Checklist to Commute.org as part of the certification process.

My development is located in a jurisdiction that is exempt from the C/CAG TDM Policy, what TDM documentation do I need to be certified?

Please refer to your local jurisdiction contact to determine what materials are needed to comply with the local TDM ordinance. You will need to submit copies of this documentation to Commute.org as part of the certification process.

How can my development be certified as an active participant?

Development projects will be certified as active participants with Commute.org if they follow the Certification Process and comply with the Requirements for Active Participation.

Will Commute.org help develop and/or implement my TDM Plan?

No, developers are responsible for complying with the TDM plans that are part of the development’s approval. A plan may include programs and services provided by Commute.org, but the responsibility for managing the TDM plan and being compliant with the conditions imposed by the local jurisdiction lie with the developer.

How do I schedule a consultation and project training with Commute.org?

Please contact the TDM Policy team by clicking here. A member of our team will reach out to schedule your consultation and project training.

Questions? Complete the form below