Adopted Green Building Policy (April 2009)

At its April 18, 2009 public hearing, City Council unanimously voted to adopt the proposed Green Building Policy.  Per this Policy, the City expects that all new development requiring a Development Site Plan or Development Special Use Permit will achieve a LEED Silver or an equivalent rating for non-residential development and LEED Certified or an equivalent rating for residential development.  More detail about the policy is provided below. 

• Green Buildings in Alexandria Policy Recommendations report February 5, 2009  
• Appendices
  • Appendix 1:  List of Approved Green Developments in Alexandria - as of April 2018
  • Appendix 2: Greening the Metropolitan Washington Region’s Built Environment
  • Appendix 3: ERM Green Building White Paper, December 2007 
  • Appendix 4: Green Building Working Group Members
  • Appendix 5: Chart Comparing Washington, D.C. Region Jurisdictions
  • Appendix 6: USGBC List of Green Building Projects in the City
  • Appendix 7: Rating Systems Comparison
  • Appendix 8: ENERGY STAR and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code 
  • Appendix 9: USGBC’s National Summary of State and Local Government Incentives

• Green Building Projects Under Constructions or Completed from FY 2010 through FY 2017
• Map of Green Building projects in Alexandria (updated June 2009) 

The City recognizes that a commitment to green buildings does not stop with the adoption of this Policy.  A second phase is underway to identify methods that will encourage existing buildings to incorporate green improvements, such as through improved outreach and incentives.  Continue to check this website to learn more about this phase as it progresses.

Background 

Green Buildings have been identified by the City as a major component of its commitment to sustainable development. The City’s initiatives through its strategic plan, commitment to Green Building of City facilities, and the adoption and phased implementation of the Eco-City Charter lay the foundations for the wider adoption of Green Building practice in the City of Alexandria.

In July, 2007, as the first step in developing an overall approach and policy of Green Building standards for development throughout the City, the Department of Planning and Zoning commissioned a study of Green Building development standards, best practice case studies, and implementation programs, in order to help formulate a recommended course of action. A report titled  The Green Building White Paper for the City of Alexandria, dated December 25^th 2007 was prepared as a result of that study. One of the major recommendations of the White Paper was that the City reach out to the development industry and the community to develop a sound understanding and reinforce its commitment to Green Building and sustainable development in the City.

A working group consisting of City staff (drawn from a cross section of relevant departments), builders, developers, and not-for-profit organizations was consequently established, and its members have been participating in structured meetings since June 2008, in order to lay the foundations for a Green Building policy. As part of the development of the policy, the City held a Green Building Form on January 28, 2009. Click to view the forum Program and Video.