District of ColumbiaSome D.C. building projects can skip full net-zero energy rules
During this temporary law, some D.C. nonresidential projects, including additions under 10,000 square feet, can skip full net-zero energy rules while limits on burning fuel on site for heat still apply.
What it does
Temporary buildings, additions under 10,000 square feet, and some other nonresidential projects can skip full net-zero compliance under this temporary law. They still cannot burn fuel on site for building heat; backup power is allowed.
Police, fire, emergency response, and Office of Unified Communications facilities, plus aquatic centers housing qualifying indoor pool buildings, can skip certain energy rules until final mayoral rules take effect or this law ends. The on-site fuel limit still applies to covered projects.
Buildings covered by the net-zero standard must generate renewable energy on site where feasible. They cannot burn fuel on site for building heat, though backup power is allowed. Some facilities can temporarily skip the separate renewable energy supply rule.
Argument forOwners of additions under 10,000 square feet could have more design choices while still following the on-site fuel rule.
Argument againstThe on-site fuel rule could limit heating choices for owners of covered nonresidential projects, even when those projects can skip full net-zero compliance.
More detail
Certain nonresidential projects need not maintain full net-zero energy compliance. This covers temporary buildings, additions under 10,000 square feet, police, fire, emergency response, and Office of Unified Communications facilities, qualifying indoor pool buildings within aquatic centers, and projects meeting both filing dates. An eligible indoor pool building must have air and humidity controls and be within an aquatic center. A project also qualifies if all permits needed to start construction were submitted before October 1, 2024, and it was not submitted to GBAC before March 1, 2026. These projects cannot burn fuel on site for building heat; fuel use for backup power is allowed. This rule lasts until the temporary law expires, 225 days after taking effect.
Specified facilities need not meet certain energy-saving and renewable energy supply rules. This covers police, fire, emergency response, and Office of Unified Communications facilities, plus aquatic centers housing qualifying indoor pool buildings or complexes. An eligible aquatic center must contain water over 24 inches deep and house an indoor pool building or complex with air and humidity controls. Covered projects still cannot burn fuel on site for building heat; fuel use for backup power is allowed. These exceptions end when the Mayor’s final rules take effect or the law expires 225 days after taking effect, whichever comes first.
The net-zero standard calls for on-site renewable energy where feasible and bars on-site fuel burning for building heat, except for backup power. This concerns buildings covered by the net-zero energy standard, including the nonresidential projects addressed by this law. When the renewable energy supply rule applies, a building must obtain the amount required by the latest Appendix Z. The specified emergency facilities and aquatic centers housing qualifying indoor pool buildings have temporary relief from that supply rule. The temporary law expires 225 days after taking effect.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 21Law Number L26-0123 Effective from May 21, 2026, Expires on Jan 01, 2027Latest
- Apr 9Transmitted to CongressMinor
- Mar 27Act A26-0280 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 005075
- Mar 23Returned from Mayor
- Mar 20Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0280Became Law
- Mar 9Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Mar 23, 2026To Governor
- Mar 3Final ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Final Reading. Result: pass.Legislature
- Vote recorded AMENDMENT (CM L. George). Result: pass.Legislature
- Mar 3AMENDMENT (CM L. George)Minor
- Feb 13Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0586 Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Feb 3First ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded First Reading. Result: pass.Legislature
- Feb 3Retained by the Council
- Feb 2B26-0586 Introduced by Councilmember Lewis George at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
Environment & Energy