DCRA Issues Emergency Regulations on Green Building Act Requirements

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Emergency regulations became effective on November 14, 2012.

DCRA Publishes Notice on Form of Binding Pledge Agreement for Green Building Act

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.