Green Building Incentive Policy

About the GBIP

For more information regarding the most recent Green Building Incentive Policy, adopted on December 12, 2020, by the Arlington County Board, view the Board Report.

NEW: 2025 Green Building Incentive Policy Update Draft
Since the last update of the Policy in 2020, there have been changes in technology, building codes and the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system. After more than two years of extensive work on the policy -- including stakeholder engagement, public feedback gathering and thorough reviews by dedicated experts -- the Green Building Program team has completed drafting the 2025 Policy update. The update will be presented during the December 2025 County Board meeting. In advance of the formal publication of the Board report in December we are providing the details of the draft policy as a courtesy to stakeholders.

The 2025 Policy update encourages site plan projects to strive for higher levels of energy efficiency and sustainability to support Arlington's Community Energy Plan goals.

View the Overview of the 2025 GBIP Update(PDF, 350KB)
This presentation was prepared as an overview of the 2025 GBIP Update and covers Attachment 1 at a high level. We recommend viewing this document prior to viewing the Attachment 1.

View Attachment 1 - 2025 Green Building Incentive Policy (Draft)(PDF, 263KB)

2024 (Version 1) Green Building Incentive Policy Update Summary

During a public comment period, feedback on the proposed 2024 (Version 1) GBIP draft policy was received through an online feedback form and through virtual comments. This feedback was reviewed, considered and summarized for the public.

View the 2024 (Version 1) GBIP Update Engagement Summary(PDF, 322KB)

Summary Appendix
A. Draft Policy Comments(PDF, 528KB)

i. Traditional Pathway Responses(PDF, 327KB)

ii. Climate Adaptation Pathway Responses(PDF, 220KB)

iii. Existing Buildings Pathway Responses(PDF, 213KB)

iv. Adaptive Reuse Pathway Responses(PDF, 232KB)

B. Online Feedback Form Questions, Summaries and Responses(PDF, 419KB)
C. Letters from Organizations(PDF, 1MB)

2024 (Version 1) GBIP Update Presentation

AIRE hosted a virtual presentation on Arlington's 2024 (Version 1) Green Building Incentive Policy update. The webinar was followed by a Q&A session on the draft policy.

Any project accepted by the County Manager after June 30, 2023 shall meet the following revised criteria:

Energy Optimization
For the 0.25 and 0.35 FAR bonus levels, meet the criteria that would earn the project points as part of the green building certification as follows:

At least 14% performance improvement for LEED version 4.1 EA credit Optimize Energy Performance -or-
At least 24% performance improvement for LEED version 4 EA credit Optimize Energy Performance/Annual Energy Use -or-
HERS index of 60 or lower if pursuing LEED version 4.1 Multifamily EA credit Optimize Energy Performance Option 3 HERS index rating -or-
HERS index of 60 or lower if pursuing Earthcraft Multifamily certification

For the 0.45 and higher FAR bonus levels, meet the criteria that would earn the project the following:

At least 18% performance improvement for LEED version 4.1 EA credit Optimize Energy Performance -or-
At least 28% performance improvement for LEED version 4 EA credit Optimize Energy Performance/Annual Energy Use -or-
HERS index of 55 or lower if pursuing LEED version 4.1 Multifamily EA credit Optimize Energy Performance Option 3 HERS index rating -or-
HERS index of 55 or lower if pursuing Earthcraft Multifamily certification

Please note: Site plan projects accepted after March 30, 2021 were required to use the updated Policy and associated criteria. New development project teams may request additional bonus density and/or height in exchange for green building certification as outlined below. Regardless of the FAR being pursued, the County's Green Building Incentive Program requires the following:

LEED Gold v4 or v4.1
Energy Optimization Performance
Baseline Prerequisites

The following requirements depend on the FAR being pursued:

0.25 FAR	0.35 FAR	0.45 FAR	0.55 FAR	0.70 FAR
ENERGY STAR Score 75 - or - LEED site EUI verification	ENERGY STAR Score 80 - or - LEED site EUI verification	ENERGY STAR Score 85 - or - LEED site EUI verification - or - PHIUS certification	ENERGY STAR Score 90 - or- LEED site EUI verification - or - PHIUS certification	ILFI Zero Energy - or - Zero Carbon certification

Minimum Program Requirements include ENERGY STAR certification for commercial office, 10 years of energy reporting, and ENERGY STAR lighting and appliances for multifamily. Please see 2020 Board Report(PDF, 585KB) for more information.
0.35 - 0.55 FAR includes 3-6 Extra List Items. See 2020 Board Report for more information below.
0.45 and 0.55 FAR include a second option. See 2020 Board Report for more information below.

Process

Clarification: Residential projects that earn bonus density in exchange for ENERGY STAR certification with a score of 75 do so using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. The ENERGY STAR score is based on post-occupancy energy utility data. This is not certification through the ENERGY STAR Multifamily High Rise Program (New Construction).

Update for Multifamily Developments Requesting Green Building Bonus Density

Multifamily developments may now use either the LEED for Homes Multifamily or Earthcraft Virginia green building rating systems. See the full interpretation here.

Green Building Update to 4.1 Site Plan Projects (Sept. 21, 2019)

An update to the Green Building Density Incentive program adds Zero Carbon and PHIUS certifications as options for building developers to earn bonus density. See links below and if you have additional questions or comments, please email Victoria Kiechel and energy@arlingtonva.us.

Guidance Documents for Approved Projects

Resources & Reports

Quick Links

Contact Us

For more information, please contact Paul Roman at proman@arlingtonva.us.

Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy