Dallas green building standard

In April 2008 the City of Dallas adopted a green building standard and established the long-term goal for Dallas to be Carbon Neutral by 2030. A more short-term goal is to achieve a 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2012.

The city council established mandatory measures to take place in two phases:

Phase One - Mandatory Measures effective October 1, 2009

Projects less than 50,000 (residential & commercial) must use 15% less energy and 20% less water than current Dallas code standards.

Builders must prove that the 15% requirement has been met, using the following standards for compliance:

• Energy Star
• Green Built North Texas
• LEED for Homes, or
• Approved equivalent standard

Builders must also meet at least 4 of six water reduction requirements to meet the water reduction requirements. Roofs must also become more energy-efficient on buildings less than 50,000 sq ft.

Phase Two - Mandatory Measures effective October 1, 2011

All new Dallas construction must be certifiable under LEED for Homes standards established by the USGBC (US Green Building Council), or similar standards i.e. Green Built North Texas.

Further details available at http://www.greendallas.net/green_standard.html.