Commission Approves Green Building Standards Code
The Building Standards Commission (BSC) has approved the Green Building Standards Code on a unanimous 10-0 vote over strong opposition from the environmental community and green program administrators.
With the strong support of a 17-member industry coalition, the action by the BSC effectively mainstreams green building provisions into the body of our state building codes. Most importantly, the BSC resisted requests by the environmental community to pull back the standards and insert a requirement for independent, third-party verification of green building provisions, effectively taking plan check and inspection duties out of the hands of the local building department and placing that authority with private-sector green building administrators.
The adoption includes mandatory measures developed by the Department of Housing & Community Development for new homes and by the BSC for new commercial buildings. Most of the mandatory provisions will take effect on a statewide basis starting in January 2011, while provisions related to water conservation will take effect on July 1, 2011.
In addition, a set of cost-conscious voluntary packages also were included for those jurisdictions that may want to consider adopting something more stringent than the state regulations.
CBIA staff would like to extend special thanks to the hundreds of members who forwarded emails and letters to the BSC supporting the adoption.
For more information, contact CBIA Technical Director Bob Raymer at rraymer@cbia.org.
Helpful tools
• Timeline for Residential Green Building Standards
• Mandatory Residential Green Building Standards: 2-Page Checklist
• Mandatory Residential Green Building Standards: 8-Page Summary
