Use our step-by-step guide to help determine potential DC green building requirements under the Green Building Act (GBA) or the Green Construction Code (GCC) for your projects. Please note that final determination regarding GBA or GCC applicability and associated requirements for each project is reserved for the code official.
Navigate to:
Instructions
Click through the guide (or tool) and answer questions about your project to determine whether your project potentially falls under the Green Building Act (GBA) or the Green Construction Code (GCC).
The answer at the end will suggest:
- A likely GBA or GCC code determination based on information provided,
- Specific requirements under that code that your project may meet, and
- Relevant information and links to support your project.
More information on interacting with the tool:
- Users can either use the tool embedded on this webpage as shown, or they can view the tool full screen by clicking on the dashed square at the bottom right of the tool.
- The guide includes links to definitions and source materials. If a link is broken, or there are other concerns about any step, users can “report an issue” by clicking on the flag symbol at the bottom right of the tool.
- Users can view a summary of their completed steps by clicking on the clock symbol at the bottom right of the tool. Take a screenshot of the outcome to record the summary.
Note! This tool is intended to be used instead of the Green Building Act flowchart project teams may be familiar with to help with project planning and discussions with local authorities. This tool does not replace the Energy and Green Worksheet required by Department of Buildings (DOB).
What are the GBA and GCC?
The Green Building Act (GBA) of 2006 establishes high-performance green building standards for all public (except residential buildings under 10,000 sq. ft.) and applicable private construction projects. Depending on certain project parameters, projects that fall under the GBA must meet specified LEED certification levels, Enterprise Green Community, or similar standards as applicable. The recently enacted Greener Government Buildings Amendment Act (GGBA) of 2022 also introduced net-zero requirements for certain District owned and instrumentally financed buildings.
The 2017 DC Green Construction Code (GCC) establishes high performance green building standards for all applicable buildings. If a project falls within the scope of the GBA, and associated regulations, compliance with the GBA will also satisfy compliance with the GCC.
Use the Hub’s DC Green Code Guide to determine applicability of the GBA and GCC, and specific requirements, to your project.
Who does this apply to?
This applies to any project in the District that would need to obtain a construction permit for a building or renovation of all sizes, including new construction, core & shell, additions, tenant fit-out, and alterations or repairs. This guide does not apply to permits for demolition, foundation-to-grade, or sitework.
What does this guide cover?
Determining which of the following DC green building requirements are applicable to your project:
- Green Building Act (GBA) of 2006,
- Green Construction Codes (GCC), or
- Neither (only applies to certain buildings under 10,000 sq. ft.)
The specific green building requirements for each project are determined by a variety of factors which may include:
- Whether or not your project is District owned or financed.
- Project size.
- Project use type.
- Project value (as applicable to determine substantial improvement).
- Affordable housing designation as applicable.
- Alteration level as applicable.
What is not covered by this guide?
- Energy code requirements. All projects are subject to the DC energy code, which is not covered by this DC Green Code Guide. Use the Energy and Green Worksheet required by the Department of Buildings (DOB) to determine energy code requirements.
- Green Area Ratio (GAR). Visit the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) website for more information on GAR requirements.
- Stormwater management regulations. Visit DOEE’s website for more information on stormwater management requirements.
- General code compliance. Visit DOB’s website for more information on 2017 DC Construction Codes.
Disclaimer
Note that this is a Building Innovation Hub resource, developed with DOEE and DOB input. However, it is intended only as a guide and does not guarantee compliance with the District’s requirements and laws. Final determination regarding GBA or GCC applicability and associated requirements for each project is reserved for the code official.