Beginning January 1, 2027, the District of Columbia Energy Conservation Code – Commercial will require certain permit applications to meet the new requirements described in the Privately Owned Buildings section below.
For Projects in Design Before December 31, 2026
You may follow the 2017 DC Energy Conservation Code – Commercial under Section 123 (Transitory Provisions) of the 2017 DC Construction Codes. To qualify for the Transitory Provisions, submit a copy of the design contract for the scope of work between the designer and the applicant, signed and dated before December 31, 2026, as supporting documents with your permit application.
New Requirements for New Permit Applications for Privately Owned Buildings
Effective January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027 (See §6-1453.01 and Clean Energy DC Building Code Modifications of the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Act of 2026)
Requirements | Required for New Construction? | Required for Additions Greater Than | Required for Level 3 Alteration? |
All-electric heating and hot water | Yes | Yes | No |
Energy conservation equal to 2024 IECC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Existing Requirements for New Permit Applications for Publicly Owned, Leased, and Financed Buildings and Projects
Effective now through December 31, 2027 (See § 6–1451.02)
Requirements | Required for Commercial Buildings?* | Required for Residential Multifamily Buildings, |
Conserve energy equal to or greater than Appendix Z | Yes*** | Yes
|
Obtains energy from renewable energy sources as required by Appendix Z | Yes*** | No |
Renewable energy generated on site, wherever feasible | Yes | No |
No on-site fuel combustion for thermal energy, except for backup power generation (all-electric requirement) | Yes | Yes |
*Excluding temporary buildings and additions less than 10,000 square feet
**Excluding new buildings and additions that are less than 10,000 square feet
***Excluding police, fire, emergency response, and Office of Unified Communications facilities, and aquatics centers permit applications
Green Construction Code
In effect now through December 31, 2027
In addition to the Energy Conservation Code, all commercial and residential buildings 10,000 square feet or more must comply with the 2017 District of Columbia Green Construction Code.
2027 DC Construction Codes
Anticipated effective date: January 1, 2028
The District, led by DOB, is developing the new 2027 construction codes, which will include the 2027 Energy Conservation Code and the 2027 Green Construction Code.
The Energy Conservation Code – Commercial will be aligned with the legislative requirements in § 6–1453.01 and will apply to all permit applications for new construction, additions, and alterations, and will include the following requirements:
- Increased energy efficiency
- No combustion fuel for thermal energy
- On-site and off-site renewable energy
Learn more at 2027 Construction Code Development Process.
Resources
- Energy Code Changes FAQs
- Energy code compliance and tools
- 2017 code training slides (created under predecessor agency):
- 2017 District of Columbia Energy Conservation Codes
- 2017 District of Columbia Green Construction Code
- Related regulations:
- The Green Area Ratio (GAR). which is part of the Zoning Regulations and is administered by the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)
- Stormwater Management Regulations, which are also administered by DOEE