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Green Building in the District

The District of Columbia is a national leader in green building policy and innovation. Our buildings are cleaner, more efficient, and more resilient than ever – supporting better indoor air quality, reduced pollution, and healthier spaces for residents. District laws, programs, and resources are designed to continue advancing our progress to make DC the greenest, healthiest, and most livable city for all residents as envisioned in Sustainable DC 2.0.

Whether you're a developer, designer, building owner, or resident, this page is a starting point for understanding the District’s green building requirements, resources, and opportunities.

Have questions about green building policies or programs in the District? Contact [email protected].

Green Building Policy in the District

DC's green building policies set performance standards for new construction, renovations, and ongoing operations of buildings across the District, covering energy efficiency, sustainable design, and net-zero energy. The sections below describe the Green Building Act and related laws, organized by topic.

Green Building Act of 2006

The Green Building Act of 2006 (GBA) is the District's core green building law. It sets high-performance building standards for public, publicly financed, and large private construction projects, and created the framework DOEE and the Department of Buildings (DOB) use to review, verify, and enforce those standards. Requirements differ significantly depending on whether a project is publicly owned/financed or privately owned — see the Public and publicly financed projects and Privately-owned projects sections below for details on each track, including net-zero energy (NZE) requirements for public projects.

Project teams looking for an interactive overview of how the GBA and related codes apply to a specific project can use the Building Innovation Hub's DC Green Code Guide.

For the full legal text, see DC Code § 6-1451 (Green Building Act requirements), which is updated as amendments take effect.

Public and publicly financed projects

This track covers buildings that are District-owned, owned by a District instrumentality, or at least 15% District-financed.

Since 2023, DC Council has used emergency and temporary legislation to adjust some of the net-zero energy (NZE) requirements described below. Where current requirements differ from the original framework, changes are noted in italics. For plain-language summaries of these changes, see DOEE’s visual guides for Residential (effective until September 2026) and Non-residential (effective until January 2027). For the legally current text, see DC Code § 6-1451(Green Building Act requirements) and DC Code § 6-1453 (NZE Building Code requirements).

Non-residential projects:

  • Achieve LEED Silver certification or higher (public schools: LEED Certified, or Gold if sufficiently funded).
  • Maintain net-zero energy (NZE) compliance for most new construction and major renovations — meaning the building must conserve energy and source renewable energy to the standard set by Appendix Z of the DC Energy Conservation Code, with on-site fossil fuel combustion generally prohibited except for backup power.
    • A few project types are exempted from the NZE requirement, including temporary buildings, small additions (under 10,000 sq. ft.), certain public safety facilities, natatoriums, and projects that were already in the permitting pipeline before October 1, 2024. See DOEE’s visual summary of temporary legislation (effective until Jan. 2027).
  • Meet ENERGY STAR energy performance and benchmarking requirements (for qualifying building types and sizes); these buildings are also subject to Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS), which set minimum energy performance thresholds for existing buildings. For compliance support and resources, see the DOEE Building Performance Helpdesk.

About Appendix Z: Appendix Z is the technical standard public projects use to demonstrate NZE compliance. It's an alternative compliance pathway within the 2017 DC Energy Conservation Code (see Building codes below), and it defines a net-zero energy building as one that is highly energy-efficient and that produces on-site, or procures through new renewable energy generation, enough energy to meet or exceed its annual energy consumption. Appendix Z takes an efficiency-first approach: projects must first minimize energy use, then meet the remainder through renewables, which can be generated on-site or procured off-site.

Residential projects of 10,000 sq. ft. or more:

  • Achieve Enterprise Green Communities (EGC) certification.
  • New construction funded from the Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF) must be all-electric (no on-site combustion of fossil fuels) and achieve EGC Plus (EGC+) certification.
  • New construction and projects with roof replacements must install rooftop renewable energy wherever feasible.
  • See DOEE’s visual summary of temporary legislation (effective until Sept. 2026).

GBA exemptions: If a project can't feasibly meet these standards, the GBA allows for an exemption request, reviewed by the Green Building Advisory Council and decided by the DOEE Director, on behalf of the Mayor. See GBA exemptions below for how to apply.

Privately-owned projects

Privately-owned buildings and projects of 50,000 sq. ft. or more (new construction or substantial improvement) must:

  • Achieve LEED Certified or higher within two years of receiving a certificate of occupancy.
  • For qualifying building types, benchmark energy performance annually using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, with size-based phase-in thresholds that have expanded over time (now down to 10,000 sq. ft.); these buildings are also subject to Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS), which set minimum energy performance thresholds for existing buildings. For compliance support and resources, see the DOEE Building Performance Helpdesk.

Net-zero energy requirements do not currently apply to privately-owned, privately-financed projects — NZE compliance under the GBA is only required for projects that are owned or financed by the District government. However, this will change: the Clean Energy DC Building Code Amendment Act of 2022 requires the District to adopt a new NZE building code applicable to commercial construction and residential construction above three stories. Once adopted, that code will apply to public and private projects alike. See Building codes below for more.

Compliance with the GBA also satisfies the District's 2017 Green Construction Code. See the Building codes section below for more on how the District's construction codes relate to the GBA.

GBA Exemptions

When a project team believes it cannot feasibly meet applicable green building requirements — including NZE compliance for public projects — it may submit an exemption request to Green Building Advisory Council (GBAC). The GBAC reviews the request in a public meeting, evaluates documentation, and issues a recommendation to the DOEE Director, who makes the final decision on behalf of the Mayor.

Exemptions may be granted in unusual circumstances, upon a showing of good cause, based on substantial evidence that meeting a required green building standard is impractical or a hardship, a determination that complying would not serve the public interest, or other compelling circumstances. The applicant bears the burden of demonstrating hardship or infeasibility.

Guidance and resources for submitting an exemption request — including submission deadlines, the request form, guidelines, and a tracker of past requests and GBAC recommendations — are available on the Green Building Advisory Council page.

Green Building Advisory Council

The Green Building Advisory Council (GBAC) monitors the District's compliance with green building requirements, recommends policy updates, and reviews exemption requests under the Green Building Act. It's made up of District agency representatives and volunteer members from the private and nonprofit sectors who live or work in DC.

GBAC meetings are open to the public and held on the first Wednesday of every other month. For meeting dates, agendas, minutes, recordings, and Green Building Act exemption request guidance, visit the Green Building Advisory Council page.

Net-Zero Energy Buildings

Net-zero energy (NZE) buildings produce as much clean energy as they consume over the course of a year, achieved through a combination of high-efficiency design, on-site or procured renewable energy, and elimination of on-site combustion. They use less energy to heat, cool, and power, which means lower operating costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and greater resilience. DC's approach prioritizes efficiency first: reducing energy demand through building envelope performance, efficient systems, and all-electric equipment, then meeting remaining needs through renewable energy generated on-site or procured off-site.

NZE requirements and standards appear in several District policies:

  • Greener Government Buildings Amendment Act of 2022 (GGBA): Requires most new construction and major renovations of District-owned and District-financed nonresidential buildings to achieve NZE compliance, in addition to their LEED requirement. See Public and publicly financed projects above for current requirements.
  • Clean Energy DC Building Code Amendment Act of 2022: Directs DOB to adopt a mandatory all-electric NZE building code by December 31, 2026, applicable to new commercial construction and new residential construction above three stories — public and private alike. Once in effect, this code will set a binding NZE minimum standard. See Building codes below for more.
  • Appendix Z: The current technical standard for NZE compliance, embedded in the 2017 DC Energy Conservation Code. Appendix Z defines what it means for a building to be net-zero energy and sets the efficiency and renewable energy thresholds projects must meet. It is required for publicly owned and financed projects today and serves as the foundation for the forthcoming mandatory NZE code.

Electric vehicle (EV) charging readiness

New multi-unit residential and commercial buildings with 3 or more parking spaces must build out EV make-ready infrastructure (the wiring and electrical capacity needed to support EV charging) for at least 20% of parking spaces.

For more on EV charging requirements, incentives, and the District's public charging network, see Electric Vehicle Resources.

Building codes

The District's construction codes set the baseline technical requirements for how buildings are designed, built, and renovated in the District. The current codes are the 2017 DC Construction Codes, which took effect May 29, 2020, and consist of the 2015 ICC family of model codes, the 2014 National Electrical Code, and 2013 ASHRAE 90.1 Commercial Energy Conservation Code, each modified with local amendments to align with other District laws and priorities.

Two parts of the 2017 codes are especially relevant to green building:

  • 2017 DC Energy Conservation Code (based on ASHRAE 90.1-2013) — sets minimum energy efficiency requirements for new construction and major renovations. This code also includes Appendix Z, a net-zero energy compliance pathway that is required for projects owned or financed by the District.
  • 2017 DC Green Construction Code (based on 2015 IgCC) — sets sustainability requirements (water use, materials, indoor air quality, and more) for new construction and major renovations of larger buildings. Meeting the Green Building Act's LEED or Enterprise Green Communities requirements also satisfies this code.

The Clean Energy DC Building Code Amendment Act of 2022 directs DOB to adopt an all-electric, net-zero energy building code by December 31, 2026 that will apply to new construction and substantial improvement of commercial buildings and residential buildings taller than three stories — eventually replacing Appendix Z's voluntary pathway with a mandatory one for those buildings. See DC Code § 6-1453 (NZE Building Code requirements) for more information.

For the full text of the current codes, DC amendments, and prior code editions, see DOB's DC Construction Codes page.

Energy benchmarking and Building Energy Performance Standards

Separately from the Green Building Act's construction-phase requirements, large existing buildings in the District must track and report their energy and water use each year (energy benchmarking) and meet minimum ongoing energy performance thresholds (BEPS). Both programs are administered by DOEE and apply to most privately owned and District-owned buildings above applicable size thresholds.

These programs have their own detailed eligibility rules, deadlines, and compliance tools available on the DOEE Building Performance Helpdesk.

Bird-friendly building materials

Under the Migratory Local Wildlife Protection Act of 2022, building permits issued after January 1, 2025 for new construction — or for alterations that replace all or substantially all exterior glazing — on commercial buildings, multi-unit residential buildings (5+ units), institutional facilities, or District-owned/operated buildings must use bird-friendly materials on building facades and exterior fenestration up to 100 feet above grade. The requirement also covers glazed corners, "fly-through" conditions, glazing near green roofs and roof terraces, and items like awnings, handrails, and bus shelters with reflective or transparent surfaces.

Historic landmarks are exempt, and properties in historic districts may seek a waiver. DOB, in consultation with DOEE, is responsible for implementing regulations under this law.

See DC Code § 8-2241 (Migratory Local Wildlife Protection) for the full requirements.

For background on the issue and practical resources for building owners, designers, and architects — including guidance, tested product information, and tools to evaluate solutions — see the American Bird Conservancy's Glass Collisions program.

Green Building Fund Grant Program

DOEE's Green Building Fund Grant Program has supported innovative projects to “green” the District's built environment since 2013. These grants fund research, data analysis, training, and engagement to help the city enact policies advancing social, environmental, and economic sustainability. New grant opportunities are available on a rolling basis and posted on the DOEE Grants page.

Current grants (Fiscal Year 2026)

  • Bird-Friendly Building Grant
    This grant was awarded to American Bird Conservancy and City Wildlife to advance bird-safe retrofits of existing buildings in the District. It aims to identify high-risk buildings for bird collisions, educate building owners about bird-friendly glazing, lighting, and window film treatments, and pilot at least one retrofit on a high-risk building during the grant period.
  • Climate Resilience & Insurance Industry Collaboration Grant
    This grant was awarded to Emerald Cities Collaborative to support innovative public-private partnerships that tackle climate-related risks, such as extreme weather impacts, by improving insurance industry tools and strategies in the District. It aims to enhance insurance affordability, strengthen climate resilience, and protect economic stability within the District.

Past Grants

Learn more about past Green Building Fund grant projects.

Green Building Resources

The resources below support project teams, building owners, and practitioners working toward high-performance and net-zero energy buildings in the District.

Design and technical guidance

Practical strategies, technical guidance, and tools for high-performance and net-zero energy design and construction.

Incentives and financing

These programs reduce upfront costs, expand access to clean energy technologies, and support progress toward the District’s climate and housing goals.

  • DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU)
    DCSEU provides rebates, incentives, direct installs, and technical assistance for energy-efficiency and electrification upgrades across all building types. DCSEU also offers training, credentialing, and certification courses to District businesses to expand the local green workforce and local business opportunities.
  • DC Green Bank
    The DC Green Bank accelerates energy efficiency improvements and the deployment of clean energy technology by leveraging private investment, removing upfront costs, and increasing the efficiency of public dollars. DC Green Bank also implements DC PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Financing, which provides affordable, long-term funding (up to 100% financing with no upfront costs) for energy, water, and stormwater upgrades in new and existing buildings.
  • Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator
    Enhanced technical and financial assistance to owners and managers of qualifying affordable multifamily buildings that do not meet the District’s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS).
  • Affordable Home Electrification Program
    No-cost electrification upgrades for income-qualified households and small affordable housing properties, coordinated by DCSEU.

Green Building Reports & Case Studies

The Green Building Advisory Council issues reports documenting the advancement of green building in the District, including the implementation of green building policies and programs and progress toward the District's sustainability goals. In addition, DOEE has developed case studies showcasing innovative design strategies, lessons learned, and best practices from high-performance and clean energy projects across the District.

Reports

Case studies

  • 1625 Massachusetts Ave NW
    A historic Dupont Circle office building converted to all-electric residential units, demonstrating how older properties can modernize their systems while reducing carbon emissions and improving energy performance.
  • Dorothy I. Height Elementary School
    A DC public school that was redesigned with high-performance systems and materials to improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and long-term comfort for students and staff.
  • Net-Zero Energy Accessory Dwelling Unit
    A small accessory dwelling unit that was designed to achieve net-zero energy through an efficient building envelope, on-site solar generation, and smart energy management.
  • Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School
    A DC public school integrating distributed energy technologies, including battery storage and demand response, to reduce peak energy use, improve grid resilience, and lower operating costs.
  • Oxon Run Community Solar Farm
    A former contaminated brownfield site redeveloped as a community solar farm, now generating renewable energy for the District and demonstrating the potential of underutilized land for clean energy.
  • Southwest Library
    A DC Public Library built to serve the community with sustainable materials, efficient mechanical systems, and daylighting strategies that reduce energy use and support a healthy indoor environment.
  • 3450 Eads St NE
    A feasibility study for energy-efficient, affordable multifamily housing in the River Terrace neighborhood.
  • One Hawaii Ave NE
    A site analysis and design study for affordable multifamily housing that emphasizes long-term energy performance, climate resilience, and cost-effective sustainability in Fort Totten.
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Related Content: 
Energy Benchmarking
Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS)
Clean Energy DC
Commercial Green Incentives
Residential Green Incentives