Dallas Adopts Green Building Ordinance

April 14, 2008

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The Dallas City Council has adopted a green construction ordinance which aims to reduce energy and water consumption in all new houses and commercial buildings constructed in the city.

The ordinance will be implemented in two phases. The first phase, starting in 2009, requires that homebuilders construct their homes to be 15 percent more efficient than the base energy code and meet four out of six high-efficiency water reduction strategies.

In phase 2, beginning in 2011, it requires all homes to be built to either the LEED standard or the Green Built North Texas standard and include points toward a 20 percent water use reduction and a minimum 17.5 percent more efficient than the base energy code or the performance of an Energy Star for homes with a HERS rating of 83 or less.

For commercial projects, Phase 1 of the new ordinance requires buildings less than 50,000 square feet to be 15 percent more efficient than the base energy code, use 20 percent less water than required by the current Dallas Plumbing Code, all roof surfaces with a slope of 2:12 inches or less must meet the EPA’s Energy Star low-slope roof requirements; and meet outdoor lighting restrictions, except for safety and security reasons as applicable.

For commercial projects over 50,000 square feet, phase 1 requires buildings to meet 85 percent of the points required under the appropriate LEED rating system for a certified level, including one point for 20 percent water use reduction, and a minimum two points for 14 percent more efficient than the base energy code.

Phase 2, beginning in 2011, requires all commercial projects to be LEED certifiable under the appropriate LEED rating system, including one point for 20 percent water use reduction, and a minimum three points for 17.5 percent more efficient than the base energy code.

More info here.

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