Durham County – High-Performance Building Policy

Durham County adopted a resolution in October 2008 that requires new non-school public buildings and facilities to meet high-performance standards. New construction of public buildings and facilities greater than 10,000 square feet must achieve a minimum rating of LEED Gold or any comparable performance criteria. Buildings between 4,000 and up to 10,000 square feet must achieve a minimum rating of LEED Silver or any comparable performance criteria.

Additionally, renovations of non-school public buildings in excess of 25% of the building and comprising upgrades or replacements of two of the three major systems (HVAC, lighting and plumbing) must be able to achieve a minimum rating of LEED Certified or any comparable performance criteria. All other new construction, renovations, repairs, replacements, maintenance and operations of non-school public buildings must employ cost-effective, energy-efficient, green building practices to the maximum extent possible through the use of the USGBC LEED checklist or other comparable performance criterion in the planning, construction, renovation, maintenance and operation of the facility.

These building requirements were instituted in part to help the city and county governments of Durham meet their goal of a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. The City of Durham and Durham County also have a goal to reduce the entire community’s greenhouse gas emissions by 30% from 2005 levels by 2030.

In addition, the City of Durham adopted a Facilities Strategic Energy Conservation Policy in September 2009.