{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/15.2-1804.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/15.2-1804.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/15.2-1804.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/15.2-1804.1.html"}],"law_id":347588,"edition_id":2,"section_id":347588,"structure_id":49880,"section_number":"15.2-1804.1","catch_line":"(For applicability, see Acts 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 473, cl. 2) Building by locality; high performance standards","history":"2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 473; 2024, cc. 687, 706.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Appropriate resilience features” means features that are included to prepare for, by reducing risk or enabling recovery, acts of nature, failures of systems, or adversarial acts that could cause a major disruption to building functionality. A locality maintains the responsibility for identifying those potential hazards for which a project should prepare and for determining the sufficiency of the incorporated features to address the potential hazard, following consideration of any guidance pursuant to subsection E.\n\n\t\t\t“Commissioning” means the process of ensuring functional performance of mechanical equipment, water heating equipment, lighting, automated control systems, and building envelope, including the steps described in the ICC G4-2018 “Guideline for Commissioning” or successor guidelines and additional guidelines as may be applicable to such systems.\n\n\t\t\t“Design phase” means the design of a building construction or renovation project, which, until July 1, 2025, shall be inclusive of the issuance of a request for proposal and the project budget approval, and after July 1, 2025, shall be based on the effective execution date of the contract with the design team.\n\n\t\t\t“EV” means an electric vehicle.\n\n\t\t\t“High performance building certification program” means a public building design, construction, and renovation program that achieves certification using the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating standard or the Green Building Initiative’s “Green Globes” building standard. For buildings 50,000 square feet and smaller, Earthcraft Light Commercial at the silver level may instead be used for certification under this section.\n\n\t\t\t“Locality” means a county, city, or town, inclusive of a school division.\n\n\t\t\t“Major disruption” means a disturbance that interrupts the normal activities that are conducted in a building for a duration of time that would require that building to temporarily or permanently cease operations. Localities may define the parameters that would constitute a major disruption based on the nature and duration of a disrupting event, as well as on building typology, consistent with any guidance pursuant to subsection E.\n\n\t\t\t“Sufficient ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure” means the provision of EV supply equipment, EV-ready charging electrical capacity and pre-wiring, or fueling infrastructure for other ZEVs that is deemed sufficient based on meeting relevant guidelines or recommendations available during the design phase of a project from either the Virginia Department of Energy pursuant to subsection E or the U.S. Department of Energy.\n\n\t\t\t“ZEV” means a zero-emissions vehicle.\n\nB\n\nAny locality entering the design phase for the construction of a new building greater than 5,000 gross square feet in size, or the renovation of a building where the cost of the renovation exceeds 50 percent of the value of the building, shall ensure that such building:\n\n1\n\nIs designed, constructed, verified, and operated to comply with a high performance building certification program;\n\n2\n\nHas sufficient ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure;\n\n3\n\nHas features that permit the agency or institution to measure the building’s energy consumption, including metering of all electricity, gas, water, and other utilities; and\n\n4\n\nIncorporates appropriate onsite renewable energy generation, energy storage, and resilience features as determined by the locality and following consideration of any guidance pursuant to subsection E.\n\nC\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection B, for any such construction or renovation of a building that is less than 20,000 gross square feet in size, the locality may instead ensure that such building achieves the relevant ENERGY STAR certification and implement commissioning. In the event that the specific building type is not eligible for ENERGY STAR certification, then the locality shall demonstrate, using energy modeling, that the project has been designed to perform at least as well as the ENERGY STAR Target Finder value for that building type or that the project has been designed to meet equivalent standards for such building types as provided in guidance pursuant to subsection E.\n\nD\n\nUpon a finding that special circumstances make the construction or renovation to the standards impracticable, the governing body of such locality may, by resolution, grant an exemption from any such design and construction standards. Such resolution shall be made in writing and shall explain the basis for granting the exemption. If the local governing body cites cost as a factor in granting an exemption, the local governing body shall include a comparison of the cost the locality will incur over the next 20 years or the lifecycle of the project, whichever is shorter, if the locality does not comply with the standards required by subsection B versus the costs to the locality if the locality were to comply with such standards.\n\nE\n\nThe Department of Energy shall upon request provide technical assistance related to subsections A, B, and C to localities subject to available budgetary resources. Such technical assistance may include the issuance of guidance.\n\nF\n\nAny local governing body may, by ordinance, adopt its own green design and construction program. When a local program includes standards that address all of the requirements in subsection B and is equal in stringency to or more stringent than the standards in subsection B, the locality shall be deemed compliant with the provisions of this section.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1296637,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Appropriate resilience features” means features that are included to prepare for, by reducing risk or enabling recovery, acts of nature, failures of systems, or adversarial acts that could cause a major disruption to building functionality. A locality maintains the responsibility for identifying those potential hazards for which a project should prepare and for determining the sufficiency of the incorporated features to address the potential hazard, following consideration of any guidance pursuant to subsection E.\t\t\t“Commissioning” means the process of ensuring functional performance of mechanical equipment, water heating equipment, lighting, automated control systems, and building envelope, including the steps described in the ICC G4-2018 “Guideline for Commissioning” or successor guidelines and additional guidelines as may be applicable to such systems.\t\t\t“Design phase” means the design of a building construction or renovation project, which, until July 1, 2025, shall be inclusive of the issuance of a request for proposal and the project budget approval, and after July 1, 2025, shall be based on the effective execution date of the contract with the design team.\t\t\t“EV” means an electric vehicle.\t\t\t“High performance building certification program” means a public building design, construction, and renovation program that achieves certification using the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating standard or the Green Building Initiative’s “Green Globes” building standard. For buildings 50,000 square feet and smaller, Earthcraft Light Commercial at the silver level may instead be used for certification under this section.\t\t\t“Locality” means a county, city, or town, inclusive of a school division.\t\t\t“Major disruption” means a disturbance that interrupts the normal activities that are conducted in a building for a duration of time that would require that building to temporarily or permanently cease operations. Localities may define the parameters that would constitute a major disruption based on the nature and duration of a disrupting event, as well as on building typology, consistent with any guidance pursuant to subsection E.\t\t\t“Sufficient ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure” means the provision of EV supply equipment, EV-ready charging electrical capacity and pre-wiring, or fueling infrastructure for other ZEVs that is deemed sufficient based on meeting relevant guidelines or recommendations available during the design phase of a project from either the Virginia Department of Energy pursuant to subsection E or the U.S. Department of Energy.\t\t\t“ZEV” means a zero-emissions vehicle.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1296638,"text":"Any locality entering the design phase for the construction of a new building greater than 5,000 gross square feet in size, or the renovation of a building where the cost of the renovation exceeds 50 percent of the value of the building, shall ensure that such building:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":1296639,"text":"Is designed, constructed, verified, and operated to comply with a high performance building certification program;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":1296640,"text":"Has sufficient ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":1296641,"text":"Has features that permit the agency or institution to measure the building’s energy consumption, including metering of all electricity, gas, water, and other utilities; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":1296642,"text":"Incorporates appropriate onsite renewable energy generation, energy storage, and resilience features as determined by the locality and following consideration of any guidance pursuant to subsection E.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"C"},"6":{"id":1296643,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B, for any such construction or renovation of a building that is less than 20,000 gross square feet in size, the locality may instead ensure that such building achieves the relevant ENERGY STAR certification and implement commissioning. In the event that the specific building type is not eligible for ENERGY STAR certification, then the locality shall demonstrate, using energy modeling, that the project has been designed to perform at least as well as the ENERGY STAR Target Finder value for that building type or that the project has been designed to meet equivalent standards for such building types as provided in guidance pursuant to subsection E.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"D"},"7":{"id":1296644,"text":"Upon a finding that special circumstances make the construction or renovation to the standards impracticable, the governing body of such locality may, by resolution, grant an exemption from any such design and construction standards. Such resolution shall be made in writing and shall explain the basis for granting the exemption. If the local governing body cites cost as a factor in granting an exemption, the local governing body shall include a comparison of the cost the locality will incur over the next 20 years or the lifecycle of the project, whichever is shorter, if the locality does not comply with the standards required by subsection B versus the costs to the locality if the locality were to comply with such standards.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"8":{"id":1296645,"text":"The Department of Energy shall upon request provide technical assistance related to subsections A, B, and C to localities subject to available budgetary resources. Such technical assistance may include the issuance of guidance.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"9":{"id":1296646,"text":"Any local governing body may, by ordinance, adopt its own green design and construction program. When a local program includes standards that address all of the requirements in subsection B and is equal in stringency to or more stringent than the standards in subsection B, the locality shall be deemed compliant with the provisions of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":49880,"edition_id":2,"name":"Purchase, Sale, Etc., of Real Property","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":49879,"metadata":{"child_laws":11,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:17:17","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:32","permalink":{"id":1380995,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49880,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1","url":"\/15.2\/II\/18\/1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49879,"edition_id":2,"name":"Buildings, Monuments and Lands Generally","identifier":"18","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":9,"parent_id":49834,"metadata":{"child_laws":23,"child_structures":3},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:17:17","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:32","permalink":{"id":1380993,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49879,"identifier":"18","token":"15.2\/II\/18","url":"\/15.2\/II\/18\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49834,"edition_id":2,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":2,"parent_id":49831,"metadata":{"child_laws":1081,"child_structures":112},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:16:24","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:25","permalink":{"id":1379371,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49834,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49831,"edition_id":2,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":46,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":2297,"child_structures":225},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:16:22","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:22","permalink":{"id":1378281,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49831,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":347584,"structure_id":49880,"section_number":"15.2-1800","catch_line":"Purchase, sale, use, etc., of real property","url":"\/15.2-1800\/","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1800","metadata":false},{"id":347580,"structure_id":49880,"section_number":"15.2-1800.1","catch_line":"Tenancy in common with school board for certain property","url":"\/15.2-1800.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1800.1","metadata":false},{"id":347581,"structure_id":49880,"section_number":"15.2-1800.2","catch_line":"Acquisition of real property near certain facilities","url":"\/15.2-1800.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1800.2","metadata":false},{"id":347582,"structure_id":49880,"section_number":"15.2-1800.3","catch_line":"Sale of certain property by locality to adjoining landowners","url":"\/15.2-1800.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1800.3","metadata":false},{"id":347583,"structure_id":49880,"section_number":"15.2-1800.4","catch_line":"Restrictive covenants; prohibited; recreational property; Loudoun County","url":"\/15.2-1800.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1800.4","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":347585,"structure_id":49880,"section_number":"15.2-1801","catch_line":"Acquisition of real property near parks or other public property","url":"\/15.2-1801\/","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1801","metadata":false},{"id":347586,"structure_id":49880,"section_number":"15.2-1802","catch_line":"Authority of towns to acquire, lease or sell land for development of business and industry","url":"\/15.2-1802\/","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1802","metadata":false},{"id":347587,"structure_id":49880,"section_number":"15.2-1803","catch_line":"Approval and acceptance of conveyances of real estate","url":"\/15.2-1803\/","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1803","metadata":false},{"id":347589,"structure_id":49880,"section_number":"15.2-1804","catch_line":"Building by locality","url":"\/15.2-1804\/","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1804","metadata":false},{"id":347588,"structure_id":49880,"section_number":"15.2-1804.1","catch_line":"(For applicability, see Acts 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 473, cl. 2) Building by locality; high performance standards","url":"\/15.2-1804.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1804.1","metadata":false},{"id":347590,"structure_id":49880,"section_number":"15.2-1805","catch_line":"Permitting individuals with visual impairments to operate stands for sale of newspapers, etc","url":"\/15.2-1805\/","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1805","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":347589,"structure_id":49880,"section_number":"15.2-1804","catch_line":"Building by locality","url":"\/15.2-1804\/","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1804","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":347590,"structure_id":49880,"section_number":"15.2-1805","catch_line":"Permitting individuals with visual impairments to operate stands for sale of newspapers, etc","url":"\/15.2-1805\/","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1805","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-1804.1\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2024, chapters 687<\/a> and 706<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1381033,"object_type":"law","relational_id":347588,"identifier":"15.2-1804.1","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1804.1","url":"\/15.2-1804.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-1804.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/18\/1\/15.2-1804.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"(For applicability, see Acts 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 473, cl. 2) Building by locality; high performance standards","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-1804.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Appropriate resilience features<\/span>” means features that are included to prepare for, by reducing risk or enabling recovery, acts of nature, failures of systems, or adversarial acts that could cause a major disruption<\/span> to building functionality. A locality<\/span> maintains the responsibility for identifying those potential hazards for which a project should prepare and for determining the sufficiency of the incorporated features to address the potential hazard, following consideration of any guidance pursuant to subsection E.

\t\t\t“Commissioning” means the process of ensuring functional performance of mechanical equipment, water heating equipment, lighting, automated control systems, and building envelope, including the steps described in the ICC G4-2018 “Guideline for Commissioning<\/span>” or successor guidelines and additional guidelines as may be applicable to such systems.

\t\t\t“Design phase<\/span>” means the design of a building construction or renovation project, which, until July 1, 2025, shall be inclusive of the issuance of a request for proposal and the project budget approval, and after July 1, 2025, shall be based on the effective execution date of the contract<\/span> with the design team.

\t\t\t“EV<\/span>” means an electric vehicle.

\t\t\t“High performance building certification program<\/span>” means a public building design, construction, and renovation program that achieves certification using the U.S. Green Building Council<\/span>’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating standard or the Green Building Initiative’s “Green Globes<\/span>” building standard. For buildings 50,000 square feet and smaller, Earthcraft Light Commercial at the silver level may instead be used for certification under this section.

\t\t\t“Locality<\/span>” means a county<\/span>, city<\/span>, or town<\/span>, inclusive of a school division.

\t\t\t“Major disruption<\/span>” means a disturbance that interrupts the normal activities that are conducted in a building for a duration of time that would require that building to temporarily or permanently cease operations. Localities may define the parameters that would constitute a major disruption<\/span> based on the nature and duration of a disrupting event, as well as on building typology, consistent with any guidance pursuant to subsection E.

\t\t\t“Sufficient ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure<\/span>” means the provision of EV<\/span> supply equipment, EV<\/span>-ready charging electrical capacity and pre-wiring, or fueling infrastructure for other ZEVs<\/span> that is deemed sufficient based on meeting relevant guidelines or recommendations available during the design phase<\/span> of a project from either the Virginia Department of Energy pursuant to subsection E or the U.S. Department of Energy.

\t\t\t“ZEV” means a zero-emissions vehicle. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any locality<\/span> entering the design phase<\/span> for the construction of a new building greater than 5,000 gross square feet in size, or the renovation of a building where the cost of the renovation exceeds 50 percent of the value of the building, shall ensure that such building: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Is designed, constructed, verified, and operated to comply with a high performance building certification program<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Has sufficient ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Has features that permit the agency or institution to measure the building’s energy consumption, including metering of all electricity, gas, water, and other utilities; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Incorporates appropriate onsite renewable energy generation, energy storage, and resilience features as determined by the locality<\/span> and following consideration of any guidance pursuant to subsection E. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B, for any such construction or renovation of a building that is less than 20,000 gross square feet in size, the locality<\/span> may instead ensure that such building achieves the relevant ENERGY STAR certification and implement commissioning. In the event that the specific building type is not eligible for ENERGY STAR certification, then the locality<\/span> shall demonstrate, using energy modeling, that the project has been designed to perform at least as well as the ENERGY STAR Target Finder value for that building type or that the project has been designed to meet equivalent standards for such building types as provided in guidance pursuant to subsection E. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Upon a finding<\/span> that special circumstances make the construction or renovation to the standards impracticable, the governing body<\/span> of such locality<\/span> may, by resolution, grant an exemption from any such design and construction standards. Such resolution shall be made in writing and shall explain the basis for granting the exemption. If the local governing body<\/span> cites cost as a factor in granting an exemption, the local governing body<\/span> shall include a comparison of the cost the locality<\/span> will incur over the next 20 years or the lifecycle of the project, whichever is shorter, if the locality<\/span> does not comply with the standards required by subsection B versus the costs to the locality<\/span> if the locality<\/span> were to comply with such standards. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Department of Energy shall upon request provide technical assistance related to subsections A, B, and C to localities subject to available budgetary resources. Such technical assistance may include the issuance of guidance. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Any local governing body<\/span> may, by ordinance<\/span>, adopt its own green design and construction program. When a local program includes standards that address all of the requirements in subsection B and is equal in stringency to or more stringent than the standards in subsection B, the locality<\/span> shall be deemed compliant with the provisions of this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n(FOR APPLICABILITY, SEE ACTS 2021, SP. SESS. I, C. 473, CL. 2) BUILDING BY\nLOCALITY; HIGH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS (\u00a7 15.2-1804.1)\n\nA. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Appropriate resilience features” means features that are\nincluded to prepare for, by reducing risk or enabling recovery, acts of nature,\nfailures of systems, or adversarial acts that could cause a major disruption to\nbuilding functionality. A locality maintains the responsibility for identifying\nthose potential hazards for which a project should prepare and for determining\nthe sufficiency of the incorporated features to address the potential hazard,\nfollowing consideration of any guidance pursuant to subsection\nE.\t\t\t“Commissioning” means the process of ensuring functional\nperformance of mechanical equipment, water heating equipment, lighting,\nautomated control systems, and building envelope, including the steps described\nin the ICC G4-2018 “Guideline for Commissioning” or successor\nguidelines and additional guidelines as may be applicable to such\nsystems.\t\t\t“Design phase” means the design of a building\nconstruction or renovation project, which, until July 1, 2025, shall be\ninclusive of the issuance of a request for proposal and the project budget\napproval, and after July 1, 2025, shall be based on the effective execution date\nof the contract with the design team.\t\t\t“EV” means an electric\nvehicle.\t\t\t“High performance building certification program” means a\npublic building design, construction, and renovation program that achieves\ncertification using the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy\nand Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating standard or the Green\nBuilding Initiative’s “Green Globes” building standard. For\nbuildings 50,000 square feet and smaller, Earthcraft Light Commercial at the\nsilver level may instead be used for certification under this\nsection.\t\t\t“Locality” means a county, city, or town, inclusive of a\nschool division.\t\t\t“Major disruption” means a disturbance that\ninterrupts the normal activities that are conducted in a building for a duration\nof time that would require that building to temporarily or permanently cease\noperations. Localities may define the parameters that would constitute a major\ndisruption based on the nature and duration of a disrupting event, as well as on\nbuilding typology, consistent with any guidance pursuant to subsection\nE.\t\t\t“Sufficient ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure” means the\nprovision of EV supply equipment, EV-ready charging electrical capacity and\npre-wiring, or fueling infrastructure for other ZEVs that is deemed sufficient\nbased on meeting relevant guidelines or recommendations available during the\ndesign phase of a project from either the Virginia Department of Energy pursuant\nto subsection E or the U.S. Department of Energy.\t\t\t“ZEV” means a\nzero-emissions vehicle.\n\nB. Any locality entering the design phase for the construction of a new building\ngreater than 5,000 gross square feet in size, or the renovation of a building\nwhere the cost of the renovation exceeds 50 percent of the value of the\nbuilding, shall ensure that such building:\n\n 1. Is designed, constructed, verified, and operated to comply with a high\n performance building certification program;\n\n 2. Has sufficient ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure;\n\n 3. Has features that permit the agency or institution to measure the\n building’s energy consumption, including metering of all electricity,\n gas, water, and other utilities; and\n\n 4. Incorporates appropriate onsite renewable energy generation, energy\n storage, and resilience features as determined by the locality and following\n consideration of any guidance pursuant to subsection E.\n\nC. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B, for any such construction or\nrenovation of a building that is less than 20,000 gross square feet in size, the\nlocality may instead ensure that such building achieves the relevant ENERGY STAR\ncertification and implement commissioning. In the event that the specific\nbuilding type is not eligible for ENERGY STAR certification, then the locality\nshall demonstrate, using energy modeling, that the project has been designed to\nperform at least as well as the ENERGY STAR Target Finder value for that\nbuilding type or that the project has been designed to meet equivalent standards\nfor such building types as provided in guidance pursuant to subsection E.\n\nD. Upon a finding that special circumstances make the construction or renovation\nto the standards impracticable, the governing body of such locality may, by\nresolution, grant an exemption from any such design and construction standards.\nSuch resolution shall be made in writing and shall explain the basis for\ngranting the exemption. If the local governing body cites cost as a factor in\ngranting an exemption, the local governing body shall include a comparison of\nthe cost the locality will incur over the next 20 years or the lifecycle of the\nproject, whichever is shorter, if the locality does not comply with the\nstandards required by subsection B versus the costs to the locality if the\nlocality were to comply with such standards.\n\nE. The Department of Energy shall upon request provide technical assistance\nrelated to subsections A, B, and C to localities subject to available budgetary\nresources. Such technical assistance may include the issuance of guidance.\n\nF. Any local governing body may, by ordinance, adopt its own green design and\nconstruction program. When a local program includes standards that address all\nof the requirements in subsection B and is equal in stringency to or more\nstringent than the standards in subsection B, the locality shall be deemed\ncompliant with the provisions of this section.\n\nHISTORY: 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 473; 2024, cc. 687, 706.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}