Sustainable Development – Federal, State and Local Mandates and Codes Analysis
Order Description
The pursuit of sustainable development and design can begin with the interest of the owner or developer or end user. However, many times sustainable design and
development decisions are based on what the federal, state, or local jurisdiction requires. These might include green building laws or zoning laws focused on open
space and public amenities, for example. Additionally, local building, stormwater management, and energy codes dictate what must be done by developers, design teams
and builders by way of energy and water efficiency, stormwater management, and open/green spaces. In addition to legal requirements, some jurisdictions create
incentives (e.g. density bonuses or expedited permitting or tax incentives) to promote sustainable building practices. And developers may be required or expected to
obtain certain green rating certifications, which impose their own requirements. Continue to explore your chosen project’s jurisdiction. Begin to outline and properly
cite resources for the following areas that are must do’s:
Federal mandates or guidance that speak to sustainability assessment framework(s) and any federal requirements or tax incentives that affected your case study’s
sustainable building design plan. You may explore a range of federal mandates (which may or may not have affected your project) along with any that specifically
applied to your case study, but please distinguish between the two in your assignment. NOTE: If you have chosen a government owned project or your project is in an
area that has to respond to what government lessors require, federal mandates will apply to your project.
State laws, mandates, or incentives that address sustainable/”green” development or buildings (in the state or jurisdiction where your case study is located). Please
note if/how they specifically applied to your project. Project attached for referenceVia Verde – Bronx, NEW YORK
Local mandates or incentives (county or city specific) that address sustainable/”green” development or building (in the state or jurisdiction where your case study is
located). Please note if/how they specifically applied to your project.
Local building, energy, or green codes (county specific) that affect(ed) your case study project (e.g. ASHRAE 90.1 or IgCC).
Include examples of specific elements from your case study that were implemented for compliance purposes or because they were supported by rebates, or income or
property tax incentives. You should also consider and discuss any legal mandates or codes that limited the developer or prevented the developer or design team from
reaching their original sustainability goals.
Provide weblinks or citations to the code(s) or legal standard(s) that specifically applied to your case study project. Note: Citations and supporting references do
not count as part of the page total.
Below are some links you may want to refer to if you find them helpful, but they are not mandatory reading. (ALL ATTACHED)
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Resources
List of state laws on Green Buildings
Building Benchmarking
Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers
(References and title page do not count in word count)
