DSLBD: DC Green Building Act Information
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DC Green Building Act Information 

The DC government has enacted legislation that requires all publicly-funded (and eventually all privately-funded) new building construction to meet various LEED requirements.  The following timeline gives details about these requirements and the time period over which they will be enacted.

DC Green Building Act Timeline of Development Requirements
The Green Building Act of 2006 (DC Law 16-234) took effect on March 8, 2007.

Publicly Owned, Leased, or Financed Buildings
All new construction and substantial improvements of District owned or District instrumentality owned projects.

Starting Date                Project applicability Requirements 
8 March 2007
Undertaking private leasing of
public property 
Project applicability
All non-residential
  • Achieve 75 points on the EPA national energy performance rating system as determined by the ENERGY STAR Target Finder Tool if 10,000 sf or greater (new construction only).
  • Benchmark annually using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool if 10,000 sf or greater.
  • Make ENERGY STAR scores and performance statements available to the general public within 60 days.
  • Institute building systems monitoring and maintenance accountability methods.
Commercial projects must meet LEED-NC 2.2 or the LEED-CS 2.0 at the silver level.
 
Schools must meet LEED for Schools at the certification level.
 
Residential, 10,000 sf or greater, must meet the Green Communities 2006 standard, or a substantially equivalent standard. Submit checklist, verify energy efficiency.
1 October 2007
(FY 2008 and later)
Funded in the DC budget                          See above requirements
1 October 2007…
March 2008…
Schools, public and charter
…ENERGY STAR
…LEED for Schools
See above requirements
1 October 2008
(FY 2009 and later)
Receiving public financing for 15 percent of total project cost See above requirements
(DC budgeted or 15 percent) See above requirements
1 October 2008
Commercial tenant improvement of 30,000 sf (significant)
Meet LEED-CI 2.0 at the certification level.

 

Privately Owned Buildings
All new construction or substantial improvements of non-residential spaces of 50,000 sf or greater.

Starting Date                 Project applicability                 Requirements 
1 October 2007
Funded in DC budget
 
See above: Publicly Owned, Leased, or Financed Buildings
1 October 2008
Receiving public financing for
15 percent of total project
cost and Commercial tenant improvement               
See above: Publicly Owned, Leased, or Financed Buildings
8 March 2007
Undertaking private leasing of
public property
See above: Publicly Owned, Leased, or Financed Buildings
1 January 2009 All Submit a green building checklist with permit application.
1 October 2009 Receiving grant incentives Provide a performance bond upon approval of the first building construction permit application.(See Section 6 of the Act for amounts and alternatives.)
1 January 2010
(1st permit submitted)
Work due to purchase of District-owned property
Meet LEED-NC 2.2 or the LEED-CS 2.0 at the certification level.
1 January 2012
(1st permit submitted)
Non-residential and
Post-secondary educational facilities
Meet LEED-NC 2.2 or the LEED-CS 2.0 at the certification level.
1 January 2012
(1st permit submitted)
Schools
(primary & secondary)
Meet LEED for Schools at the certification level.
1 January 2012
(1st permit submitted)
All
Provide a performance bond, which shall be due and payable prior to receipt of a Certificate of Occupancy.(See Section 6 of the Act for amounts and alternatives.)