Boston, MA, Implements Green Building Zoning Code

June 2009

The Achievement

In January 2007, the City of Boston, MA, implemented a green building zoning code to reduce emissions from privately owned and operated buildings throughout the city. This zoning code will require all major construction projects exceeding 50,000 square feet to adhere to the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED certification standards.

Boston tweaked the LEED certification “points” requirements to fit the cities needs. In fact, developers are not required to attain formal LEED certification. Rather they must provide documentation to show their building meets the requirements identified by USGBC for LEED Certification. This qualification ensures that all major building projects are planned, designed, constructed, and managed to minimize adverse environmental impacts, conserve natural resources and promote sustainable development.

Thanks to the zoning code, a number of notably green buildings have been constructed.

• The Audubon Nature Center uses 30 to 35 percent less energy than traditional construction. To minimize its environmental impacts, the building has geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaic shingles, a solar hot waters system, and high performance glass,.
• The Artists for Humanity building in South Boston is the first LEED Platinum building in the city. It features the largest solar panel array in Boston and north- and south-facing glass walls for  passive heating and cooling as well as daylight for the interior.

The Key Steps

Mayor Tom Menino initiated the Green Building Task Force, which conducted a comprehensive exploration of the opportunities and challenges with green buildings in Boston. Based on task force recommendations, a three-year plan was created. Rather than attempting to alter the state building codes, which are controlled by the state legislature, City of Boston changed the city zoning codes, which the City has direct control over through the Zoning Commission.

The Benefits

• In the United States, buildings are responsible for 72 percent of electricity consumption and 38 percent of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Requiring buildings to be more energy and resource efficient through building codes and zoning codes can help achieve tremendous reductions in carbon emissions and energy use, and help building owners save money on their energy bills.
• According to the City of Boston, each building that adhere to its zoning code will save, on average, 82 tons of C02 and 64 million British thermal units per square foot of energy.
• Green buildings reduce our dependency on imported energy and enhance worker health and productivity.
• By promoting new green buildings and development, as well as “greening” Boston’s existing buildings, the City can stimulate business growth and job creation.
  

[Source: Boston Redevelopment Authority]