Green Building Policy
Building for a climate-resilient future
Developing Vancouver’s first Green Building Policy is an important step toward protecting our community from the impacts of climate change while reducing the carbon emissions that contribute to it.
What is the Green Building Program?
The Green Building Program will introduce new building and development code standards and incentives to significantly reduce energy use and emissions and increase proThe Green Building Program (GBP) is a set of new building and development code standards and incentives to significantly reduce energy use and emissions, increase safeguards from the effects of climate change, and protect local ecology.
Some of the policies are required and others are not required, but incentivized. Single-family homes and middle housing are exempt from the requirements of the policy but may still qualify for the incentives if they voluntarily incorporate sustainability measures aligned with the Green Building Policy. The program applies only to new buildings, not to existing ones or remodels.
The City has also approved a separate policy with stricter rules for both new and existing City-owned buildings.
Implementation
City Council adopted the GBP at the policy level on January 12, 2026 and directed staff to draft the necessary Title 17 (Building) and Title 20 (Land Use) code revisions to support the various policies.
Revisions to VMC Title 20 were adopted alongside other land use code revisions as part of the Comprehensive Plan in June 2026. These policies are currently in effect.
Revisions to VMC Title 17 are underway, with a draft version available for public review expected in Oct. 2026. Following recommendations from the project Technical Advisory Committee, these building codes will be reviewed for compatibility with the 2024 Washington State Energy Code (WSEC) updates. The GBP Title 17 policies will take effect alongside the local adoption of the WSEC revisions.
Incentives are currently being developed for non-required policies.
Project Timeline
Q4 2023: Launched GBP work with initial research, data collection, and analysis of energy use, emissions, and existing policies.
Q1–Q2 2024: Convened a cross-sector Technical Advisory Committee and evaluated policy and implementation options.
Q3 2024: Paused the project to assess the implications of Washington Initiative 2066 for local building and energy policy.
Q1–Q3 2025: Refined the proposed policy through City Council review, economic impact analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Adjustments were made to address potential impacts, including on affordable housing.
Q1 2026: City Council adopted the GBP and directed staff to develop supporting building and land use code changes.
Q2 2026: City Council adopted Title 20 land use code changes supporting GBP implementation.
Q2 2026–Present: Title 17 building code revisions are underway. A draft is expected for public review in October 2026.
Q2 2027: Draft Title 17 code revisions to be considered by Council for adoption, alongside scheduled WA SEC code updates.
How can I comment on the draft Green Building Program policies?
The Title 17 Building code is expected to be available for public review in October 2026. After the code is posted for review, you can provide input for the Green Building Program through:
- Emailing City Council members
- Request a presentation from City staff to your group or organization
- One-on-one conversation or email with City staff
Contact Information
Any general questions on the overall Green Building Program development process can be directed to Chad Eiken, Director, Community Development Department, chad.eiken@cityofvancouver.us.