Green Points and Green Building Program

The Green Points and Green Building program is supported by the Community Planning Department including:

The Office of Environmental Affairs, facilitating the outreach and eduction of the city's Green Building and Green Points Program that encourages the use of cost-effective and sustainable remodeling and building methods and technologies that conserve energy, water and other natural resources.

Planning and Development Services, administering the Green Building and Green Points Program as part of the commercial and residential building permit process.   

What's New  Green Building and Green Points Guideline Booklet Green Points Forms Green Points Ordinance Additional Resources  Public Meetings  Workshops & Trainings Key changes in building codes Previous Public Meetings Green Building History

 Green Building and Greenpoints Guideline Booklet - Updated May 2009

•  Green Building and Green Points Application for New Construction - Updated May 2009
•  Green Building and Green Points Application for Additions and Remodels - Updated May 2009

At the Nov. 25, 2008 City Council Meeting, council adopted Ordinance No. 7621 amending the Green Building and Green Points Program (See the news release ).  The code amendments require increased energy efficiency in new commercial construction and residential remodels and additions.

The new requirements will go into effect on March 2, 2009 to allow the development community time to incorporate the changes into their business processes.  

At the Nov. 10, 2008 City Council meeting, council adopted Ordinances 7620,  7622 and  7623 to increase energy efficiency in commercial construction and residential remodels and additions. This Council action also involved amending the "Building Code" to adopt minor changes related to the expiration of permits, and adopting the 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC) with minor local amendments.

  Green Building and Greenpoints Guideline Booklet - Updated May 2009

•  Green Building and Green Points Application for New Construction - Updated May 2009
•  Green Building and Green Points Application for Additions and Remodels - Updated May 2009

Green Points Program Forms:

 Green Building and Greenpoints Guideline Booklet

•  Green Building and Green Points Application for New Construction
•  Green Building and Green Points Application for Additions and Remodels

 Ordinance Number 7570
 Proposed Improvements for Energy Makeover House in Boulder - 1102 Portland Pl.

For more information, contact a Project Specialist at (303) 441-1880.

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Green Points Ordinance

Green Points Ordinance 7565
Ordinance 7565 (Green Building and Green Points Program) was adopted by Boulder City Council on Nov. 13, 2007.  The ordinance went into effect on Feb. 1, 2008.  Additionally, the city has published a notice that it proposes to adopt the following rule regarding the interpretation and implementation of Chapter 10-7.5, "Green Points and Green Building Program," B.R.C. 1981.  Section 10-7.5-6, "Regulations," B.R.C. 1981 authorizes the city manager to:

• Make reasonable interpretive and administrative regulations to aid in applying this subsection under the procedures of chapter 1-4, "Rulemaking," B.R.C. 1981, and     
• Adopt rules related to the award of green points that provide for equivalent benefits as for similar green point awards in this chapter.  The purpose of this grant of rulemaking authority is to allow the city manager to consider green point awards for technology and products that were not contemplated at the time of the adoption of this chapter that will provide benefits that are consistent with the purposes of this chapter.

• Benefits of Building Green
• Green Points certified contractors

 RESNET accredited HERS rater listing (LAST UPDATED 5-13-09)
ENERGY STAR web site
RESNET web site

Energy Efficiency
AEC's Energy Efficiency Analysis Report

Green Building Materials
Oikos Green Product Information
GreenSpec Directory by Building Green 
Center for ReSource Conservation
AIA Colorado Sustainable Design Resource Guide 

Landscape Information

Commercial Green Building Resources
Green Building Costs and Financial Benefits, by Gregory H. Kats

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Public Meetings:

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Workshops & Trainings

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Key Changes in building codes 

The city of Boulder periodically updates its construction codes to maintain the balance between safety and cost and to protect life and property, while advancing green building standards and sustainable development practices. 

At the Nov. 25, 2008 City Council Meeting, council adopted Ordinance No. 7621 amending the Green Building and Green Points Program (See the news release ).  Adding requirements related to energy efficiency thresholds for remodels and additions, demolition, boilers and windows.

7620

 7622

 7623

On Nov. 13, 2007 City Council adopted two new ordinances as part of the proposed changes to the Green Points Program, Ordinance  7565, will be added to the B.R.C. and become active Feb. 1, 2008.  Along with the adoption of the Green Points ordinances, the following building codes were adopted by ordinance  7566, reference and locally amended on Oct. 30, 2007 and go into effect on Jan. 2, 2008: 

2006 International Building Code (IBC)

2006 International Residential Code (IRC)

2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

2006 International Fire Code (IFC)

2006 International Mechanical Code (IMC)

2006 International Plumbing Code (IPC)

2006 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

2005 National Electrical Code (NEC)

Key Changes 

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2008

Oct. 2, 2008
Present Commercial and Residential Green Building and 2008 National Electrical Code proposals to Planning Board

Oct. 21, 2008
1st Reading, City Council - Commercial and Residential Green Building and 2008 National Electrical Code proposals.

2nd Reading, City Council - Commercial and Residential Green Building and 2008 National Electrical Code proposals.

Nov. 25, 2008
3rd Reading, City Council -   Commercial and Residential Green Building and 2008 National Electrical Code proposals

2007

Memo
Proposed Green Points Ordinance

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Information about the Green Points program presented at:

USGBC GreenBuild - Pittsburgh, PA - 2003
ACEEE Study Session - Monterey, CA 2005

The Benefits of Green Building
Energy & Climate - tips on reducing heating and water use
Boulder Green Building Guild - A great resources for building professionals and homeowners

• Help homeowners find the products and designs for building "green."
• Encourage Boulder homeowners to include cost-effective and sustainable remodeling and building methods that conserve fossil fuels, water and other natural resources.
• Promote the recycling of construction materials and reduce solid waste.
• Promote better indoor air quality