Green Building Policy
in progressStatus set at City Council Special Meeting and Work Session on Feb 17, 2026
- Proposed
- Under reviewFeb 17, 2026
- Decided
Summary
The Green Building Policy is a City of Fairfax initiative directing that both public and private sector new construction and major renovations meet green building standards, primarily LEED Silver or equivalent (earthcraft) certification, along with required sustainability and resilience credits. City Council first directed staff to develop the policy in 2020; development involved a stakeholder committee formed in 2023, consultant research, peer jurisdiction review, work with George Mason University, participation in the U.S. Green Building Council's Green Building Policy Accelerator cohort, multiple draft iterations, and several Council work sessions (July 2024, September 2024, February 2026). The policy applies to private development only where discretionary approvals are sought (not by-right construction), while public sector standards become effective immediately upon adoption. Following a public hearing on June 23, 2026, Council adopted the Green Building Policy; per the July 13, 2026 Planning Commission staff report, the policy was confirmed as adopted. Incentives — particularly a tax abatement which had been identified as most attractive to developers — were studied but ultimately excluded from this iteration due to equity and fiscal concerns, with further incentive analysis deferred to a future review cycle; a full five-year policy review and update is scheduled for FY32. Implementation of private sector standards is anticipated to launch in July 2027, contingent on hiring and onboarding a new Energy Programs Manager expected in fall 2026 (FY27), and staff will provide annual progress reports to Council tracking key performance indicators.
Open questions & options on the table
- Hiring and onboarding of the new Energy Programs Manager position (anticipated fall 2026/FY27) must be completed before private sector standards launch — status of that hire is not yet confirmed in the record.
- Private sector standards implementation launch is scheduled for July 2027 — pre-launch planning, preparation, and coordination work is ongoing through FY27.
- Further analysis and research on green building incentives (including tax abatement and others) is scheduled to be conducted and reported back to Council, with findings to be incorporated into the five-year policy review.
- Five-year policy review and updated Green Building Policy presentation to Council is scheduled for FY32; Council direction at that time will determine whether incentive measures are included going forward.
What members have said
On June 23, 2026, Council Member Hardy-Chandler moved to approve the consent agenda (items A through C) at the meeting at which the Green Building Policy public hearing and adoption took place.
On June 23, 2026, Council Member Peterson seconded the motion to approve the consent agenda at the meeting at which the Green Building Policy public hearing and adoption took place.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.
Full history
[10] Staff noted that City Council would hold a work session on the Green Building Policy at its July 23, 2024 meeting.
[13a] The development of the city's green building policy was discussed during the work session; no formal action was taken.
[10] City Council held a work session on Green Building Policy, as reported by staff.
[10] A Green Building Policy presentation was noted as scheduled for the October 28, 2024 Planning Commission meeting.
[6a] Council reached consensus to proceed with adoption of the Green Building Policy for public and private sector construction and major renovations, with the caveat that a staffing position must accompany the policy, and directed staff to research green building incentives.
[9] City Council held a discussion on the Green Building Policy at the February 17, 2026 meeting.
[7b] Multiple public speakers urged Council to adopt the Green Building Policy and fund a permanent full-time Climate and Energy Manager position as part of the FY27 budget.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.