These emergency regulations apply to all construction projects that are required to comply with the Green Building Act (D.C. Official Code § 6-1451.01), including publicly-owned or publicly financed projects, and private-owned projects of more than 50,000 square feet of gross floor area.

The emergency regulations allow the use of the following LEED standards for compliance: New Construction & Major Renovations; Commercial Interiors; Core & Shell; Healthcare; Retail: Commercial Interiors; Retail: New Construction & Major Renovations; and Schools.

For private-owned projects, a financial security  must be submitted to DCRA before the issuance of the first certificate of occupancy for occupiable space in a story above grade plane.

Failure to comply with the Green Building Act requirements or to achieve the minimum required LEED standard will result in the forfeiture of either 100% or 50% of the financial security, with the possibility of additional monthly fines.