City of Houston - Residential and Commercial Green Building Requirements

June 06, 2020

Summary

Residential

In 2014, the City Council of Houston passed Ordinance No. 2014-5, requiring new residential construction to exceed the energy efficiency requirements under the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) by 15%.

In October 2016, the City of Houston adopted Chapter 11 of the 2015 IECC with amendments per state law.

Commercial

In April 2008, Houston adopted the City of Houston Commercial Energy Conservation Code based on ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004.

In December 2016, the City of Houston adopted the 2015 IECC with amendments per state law and ASHRAE 90.1-2013 with amendments.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	Local
Category:	Regulatory Policy
State:	Texas
Incentive Type:	Building Energy Code
Web Site:	http://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/building-code-enforcement.html
Administrator:
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Solar Water Heat Solar Photovoltaics Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building
Residential Code:	Chapter 11 of the 2015 IECC with amendments
Commercial Code:	2015 IECC with amendments and ASHRAE 90.1-2013

Authorities

Name:	Ordinance No. 2014-5
Date Enacted:	01/08/2014
Effective Date:	02/07/2014

Name:	Commercial Energy Conservation Code
Date Enacted:	04/30/2008
Effective Date:	08/01/2008

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.