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Energy and Green Building Compliance

Following is an overview of compliance tools and procedures related to energy and green buildings.

Energy and Green Worksheets Workbook

Effective now through January 31, 2027, the Energy and Green Worksheet digital workbook is mandatory for all commercial* and residential permit applications for new construction, additions, and Level 3 alterations.

 *Permit applications subject to the commercial code may opt to use COMcheck for energy compliance instead and select the DC 2017 Energy Code.

How to use the Energy and Green Worksheets Workbook

  1. Open the Energy and Green Worksheets digital workbook.
  2. For each new project, open the link and make a fresh copy of the workbook. This ensures you are always using the most up‑to‑date version.
  3. In the workbook, read the instructions on the Introduction tab under “How to use this document.” Each required tab also has its own instructions.
  4. Save the link with editor permission to your completed workbook in a PDF. Include the permit number and building address and upload to ProjectDox under Supporting Documents.

Video guide: Using the Energy and Green Worksheets Workbook - YouTube

Projects subject to Appendix Z must also complete the DOEE Appendix Z Compliance Worksheet.

COMcheck

Effective January 1, 2027, commercial buildings and residential buildings that are four stories or more, new construction, additions, or Level 3 alterations must use COMcheck to show the project meets the requirements of the 2024 IECC. 

How to Use COMcheck-Web

  1. Log into COMcheck-Web. No download or installation is required.
  2. Select your compliance path, 2024 IECC or ASHRAE 90.1-2022.
  3. Complete the Project tab, select scope and compliance parameters, and enter data for ALL categories. 
  4. Verify compliance and generate the reports.
  5. Download the file PDF package (Compliance Certificate and the Inspection Checklist) and upload it to ProjectDox under Supporting Documents, labeled “COMcheck.”

A user guide can be accessed through the COMcheck-Web Application technical assistance desk or Building Energy Codes Program's COMcheck page.

Solar Permits

For solar permit information, including instant permits for new roof mounted solar panels at no more than 15 kilowatts, go here. 

Use our Solar Self-Certification Process for:

  • One- and two-family residential buildings that cannot use the instant permit, for expedited zoning plan review.
  • Roof mounted systems not more than two feet above the roof or parapet-mounted panels not more than one foot above the top of the side wall parapet.

Certificate of Occupancy Review Process

DOB will review projects regulated falling under either under the Green Construction Code or Green Building Act (GBA) during the first certificate of occupancy (C of O) application for a floor above grade and subsequent C of Os. This includes Core and Shell CO, Conditional CO, and temporary CO. Please click here for more information on the C of O process.

Process: Projects Subject to the Green Building Act

 See DC Code § 6-1451.05 Financial security.

Privately-Owned and Financed Projects

DOB will review progress with LEED certification on the LEED Online page.

Submit for financial security using one of four methods:

  1. Binding Pledge: A copy of the recorded pledge, signed by the project owner and the DC Office of the Attorney General (OAG), must be submitted in a form approved by OAG. For projects with a land lease please use the land lease templates.
  2. Green Bond: 80% of the amount of the potential fine posted as a bond benefitting the District must be submitted.
  3. Cash: 80% of the amount of the potential fine deposited into an escrow account in a financial institution in the District in the names of the applicant and the District.  A copy of the binding escrow agreement must be submitted.
  4. Irrevocable Letter of Credit: 80% of the amount of the potential fine posted as in Irrevocable Letter of Credit benefitting the District must be submitted.

Publicly-Owned and Publicly Projects

DOB will review progress with LEED certification on the LEED Online page, or Enterprise Green Communities certification at Green Communities Online Portal, as applicable.

Process: Projects Subject to the Green Construction Code

Green Construction Code Projects

  1. Demonstrate approved preliminary and final green inspections.
  2. Verify the following documents have been reviewed and approved, and then submit:
    1. Completed Construction Waste Management Form and haul receipts
    2. Indoor Air Quality Plan
    3. Material Selection Calculation, as applicable
    4. Preliminary Commissioning Report, as applicable

Alternative Compliance Pathways

  1. Enterprise Green Communities: Confirm access to the online Green Communities Certification Portal has been granted to DOB and "Pre-build" approval has been certified by Enterprise.
  2. LEED 
  • Confirm access to LEED Online account has been granted to DOB.
  • DOB may request an update on the project's LEED certification progress if the LEED Online does not show sufficient points have been attempted/awarded or there is no activity.
  1. National Green Building Standard (ICC 700) -- Submit the following copies from the accredited verifier:
  • The Rough and Final Inspection Report 
  • The Verification Report 
  1. ASHRAE 189.1
  • Demonstrate approved preliminary and final green inspections.
  • Verify the following documents have been reviewed and approved, and then submit:
    • Completed Construction Waste Management Form and haul receipts
    • Preliminary Commissioning Report, as applicable

Documentation Submittal 

Supporting documentation is required for some ECC projects and all GCC projects. This includes but is not limited to product submittals, manufacturers’ literature, and testing results. The following are among the most commonly collected ECC and GCC documents:

ECC

  • Building Envelope Air Leakage Test Result
  • Duct Leakage Test Result

GCC

  • Indoor Air Quality Plan
  • Construction Waste Management Summary and Tickets
  • Commissioning Report
  • Material Selection Calculation

Third-Party Inspection Agency (TPIA) Projects

Third-party plan review and inspection projects are subject to the same review as non-third-party projects. DOB verifies inspections and documents have been approved. All third-party inspection results and documents should be sent to the assigned DOB point of contact for your agency. DOB administers the TPIA oversight protocol, professional-in-charge, and inspector based on the Third-Party Program Procedural Manual. If the project is noncompliant, DOB will:

  1. Send feedback to the TPIA for lessons learned.

  2. Record errors associated with the review and apply disciplinary measures per the manual.

Approved Commissioning Sampling

Project teams and Commissioning Agents (CXas) wanting to implement sampling during commissioning must follow the RESNET Sampling Protocol, including for multiple identical systems commissioned within a 30-day period:

  1. Full commissioning of the first seven, if one or more of the first seven records a failure (failed PFC or FPT), Commissioning of every unit until seven consecutive passes are recorded.
  2. Sampling one out of every seven, after the first seven, if the first seven do not record a failure is allowed.
    • If one PFC or FPT records a failure within a sampling set, an additional two from the seven-set must be commissioned. If one of these two records a failure, the remaining four in the set must be commissioned. Continue commissioning all systems at random until seven consecutive passes are recorded is required before sampling can be implemented again.
  3. When sampling, the chosen system to Commission must be chosen at random out of the sampling set by the CXa.

Any sampling rate proposed and/or implemented shall be clearly outlined and recorded on all CX plans and Reports.

Elements of a Preliminary Commissioning Report

Per DC-GCC Section 611, a preliminary commissioning report must include the following:

  1. Completed Pre-Functional Checklist
  2. Results of Functional Performance Testing (FPT)
  3. Issues Log: Disposition of all deficiencies including details of corrective measures used. Include issues resolved, issues outstanding, and deferred tests.
  4. Certification of Compliance: Compliance with DC Energy Conservation Code C403 Building Mechanical System and C404 Service Water Heating sections.

Approved Commissioning Authority

To work as Commissioning Authorities in the District, third-party agencies must have a Tertius profile.

Resources