Technical Components of the GBIP

The County’s Green Building Incentive Policy (“GBIP”) is a voluntary program to evaluate special exception site plan requests for bonus density consistent with Section 15.5.9.C of Arlington County’s Zoning Ordinance. All site plan project developers are encouraged to (a) include specific green building components in site plan projects and (b) commit to becoming certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (“USGBC”) LEED Version 5 program, EarthCraft Multifamily program, or International Living Future Institute (“ILFI”)Zero Carbon program. Additionally, all projects are required to achieve ENERGY STAR certification post-occupancy.

General Information

The provision of green building components does not guarantee additional density and/or height, or any particular amount of density or height. The FAR bonuses are the maximum allowed for each level of green building certification.  Site plan requests for bonus density and/or height will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis based on the characteristics of individual sites.

The provision of green building components will be a part of the typical site plan negotiations for environmental amenities in exchange for the requested bonuses.

All project owners will also be asked to provide ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager utility reporting data after occupancy each year for 10 years.  This data is provided for informational purposes only and does not include a specified performance requirement.