Building Codes - Washington, DC Area

BACKGROUND

The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) contracted with IMT and the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) to work with the Green Building Advisory Council (GBAC) and building designers, developers, engineers, trades people, the DC Building Industries Association (DCBIA),
government officials, neighboring jurisdictions, and other stakeholders to prepare a package of green building code amendments based on best practices from around the country. The package has been completed and was unanimously endorsed by the GBAC.

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) included most of the package in its proposed building codes in a proposed rule published April 25. DCRA submitted a revised proposed DC Construction Code Supplement of 2008 to the City Council in early October. Councilmember Mary Cheh chairs the relevant committee of the DC Council and has voiced support for the GBAC package. IMT's Cliff Majersik is CM Cheh's representative on the GBAC.

Documents collected for Project Green-DC-Building-Codes

DCBIA and non-government GBAC members have asked to collaborate with DDOE in drafting a spending proposal for a portion ARRA money awarded to the District. The proposal would include support for advanced building codes. See the letter.

GREENING EXISTING CODES

Washington, DC

DC’s Green Building Act of 2006 requires the Mayor to “submit to the Council for approval construction code revisions that shall incorporate as many green building practices as practicable…” DC recently adopted as amendments to the International Energy Conservation Code 2006 (IECC 2006), the 30% Solution and ASHRAE 90.1 2007, and is considering adopting Standard 189.1 in 2010. The 2008 District of Columbia Construction Code was published in the District of Columbia Register on December 26, 2008. IMT's Cliff Majersik gave a presentation on Complying with Green Building Requirements in DC on January 16, 2009. The Cases for Strengthening Commercial Energy Codes and Residential Energy Codes.

DC's new building codes mandate greener practices in key areas:

Water efficiency (low-flow fixtures)
Commercial energy efficiency requirements 7% higher than Maryland and Virginia's (ASHRAE 90.1 2007)
Residential energy efficiency; "The 30% Solution"
Reducing the urban heat island effect (requires that flat roofs be cool roofs, green roofs, or limestone ballasted)
Impediments to green building addressed
Easier to disconnect downspouts and retain rainwater on site
Waterless urinals and green piping no longer require wavers

Maryland and Virginia

Communities in both states are expected to adopt the 2009 ICC Codes this year, including IECC 2009 and ASHRAE 90.1 2007.

And, indeed, leading the way in such a greening of their local building codes is the city of Rockville, MD. The DC-area community introduced a revised building ordinance in January 2010 that allowed the incorporation 2009 International Code Council standards. The new regulations were modified to conform to the 30% Solution goals, which aim to dramatically improve the efficiency of energy codes nationwide. Rockville's codes include buliding, energy, and water efficiency requirements and mark the city as a regional leader in green planning.

REGIONAL CODE COORDINATION

The Chesapeake Crescent Initiative aims to coordinate environemntal policies (including building codes) across Maryland, Virginia, and DC - January 29, 2008 press release

On January 10, 2008, IMT presented on greening building codes to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' (MWCOG) Intergovernmental Green Building Work Group (IGBG). Favorably responding to an IMT proposal, the group issued a letter endorsing a move to strengthen by 30% the national model energy code (2009 International Energy Conservation Code). Find the Meeting Highlights and Slideshow here.

PRESS AND NEWS COVERAGE

July 1, 2010: The city of Rockville, MD, saw its revamped buliding codes come into effect. The newer, greener code was modeled after the 2009 International Code Council standards and amended to align with the targets of the 30% Solution. Check out the full buliding codes on the city's website.

December 2008: DC adopted the 2008 District of Columbia Construction Code, raising the bar on energy efficiency, mandating low-flow plumbing fixtures, reducing the urban heat-island effect, and removing impediments to water efficiency from the existing code.

July 17, 2008: California adopts green building codes, mandating recycled materials, low-flow plumbing fixtures, water-efficient la ndscaping and a 15% increase in its already advanced energy efficiency requirements. The codes become mandatory in 2010 and were supported by the California Building Industry Association.

June 3, 2008: IMT's Cliff Majersik presented at ULI Breakfast on the "Nexus of Politics and Green Building" in downtown DC - slideshow

May 22, 2008: IMT's Cliff Majersik presented at an ENERGY STAR Networking Meeting for Energy Managers, Building Owners/Managers, Facilities Personnel, and ESCOs at Pepco's DC office - slideshow

February 20, 2008: DC Mayor Fenty joins mayors from around the country in calling for a 30% improvement in building energy codes