Party Walls

With the adoption of the innovative Green Construction Code in 2013, there has been quite the learning curve for those looking to build in Washington DC. Green construction codes are a relatively new concept within the building industry. Many jurisdictions, builders, architects, developers, and contractors, have minimal experience in applying them. To support building developers and the general public in successfully designing and building  to the new green and energy code requirements, regulatory bodies such as the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) and the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) have worked to create tools, trainings, and educational resources.

Interactive Green Building Displays 

Your next visit to the DCRA or DDOE will be unexpectedly educational, when you discover the recently added green building displays developed by SWA. With hopes of providing accessible, consumer facing green building education, the displays cover energy efficient building techniques and strategies that can be used to meet the energy and green building requirements adopted by the District Government. The displays are both visually appealing and interactive and provide examples of green building features, code best practices, as well as provoke interest in green building and sustainability for District employees, building professionals, and the general public.

DC Green Building Roadmap Tool 

A unique project road mapping tool was generated to help determine the applicability of green codes and regulations for your next building project. The online tool covers the Green Building Act, Green Construction Code, Energy Conservation Code, Green Area Ratio, as well as the District’s Storm water Regulations. Once you’ve carefully input all building information into the portal, you instantly receive code applicability guidance to help you plan your project .

Check out this nifty Roadmap Tool.

Energy Verification Worksheets (EVS)

Created specifically for the DC Energy Conservation Code, the goal of the EVS worksheet is to provide a “transparent and consistent method of communication between the designers, code reviewers, and site inspectors.” EVS worksheets are required for residential and commercial level 2/3 alterations, new construction, and additions, and are highly recommended for all projects constructed in the District. The worksheets are to be submitted during permitting and should be integrated in to the project plan set.

Learn more and download the EVS worksheets. 

DC Green Building Program Manual 

Recognizing that the Green construction codes are a relatively new concept within the building industry, the Green Building Program Manual is a step-by-step guide to the codes to assist projects in all stages of development. The comprehensive guide provides interpretations, regulatory procedures, compliance and enforcement information, and overall guidance to help consumers and building industry successfully design, build, and comply with the green building codes.

Check out the DC Green Building Manual