Sustainable Development Land
Since the Baltimore City Green Construction Code (BCGCC) was implemented in April 2015, navigating the new code has been a bit like playing a board game. We call the board game Sustainable Development Land; the goal is to reach Compliance Castle! Click on the picture to see Sustainable Development Land.
At first, Sustainable Development Land might seem a bit tricky to traverse. We have figured out the best path to Compliance Castle through Exemption Acres, S’mores Swamp, and even FroYo Forest, and we are here to guide you through the process. Play Sustainable Development Land to see if you comply!
If you are building or renovating in Baltimore City, you must play Sustainable Development Land. The rules are set, and we are here to teach you how to play. In the future, there might be new rules or bridges added to the board game, helping you to reach the ultimate goal of compliance.
Game Setup
Before you can play Sustainable Development Land, you must set up the game board first. Game setup includes indicating to city officials that the project intends to comply with BCGCC and which path you plan to take through Sustainable Development Land. This requires the player to complete the Green Building Statement of Compliance Sheet provided by the City prior to permit application submittal.
How to Play
To read the full instruction for how to play Sustainable Development Land, see the Baltimore City Council Legislation website.
This board game has two paths to reach the ultimate goal: the New Construction path or the Renovation of Existing Building path.
In some cases, a player can skip from start, all the way to Exemption Acres. First the player must ask themselves the following questions:
- Is my project a 1- or 2-family dwelling?
- Is my project a multi-family dwelling that is no more than 3 stories above grade and contains no more than 5 dwelling units?
- Is my project a temporary structure?
- Is my project equipment of systems that are used primarily for industrial or manufacturing purposes?
If the answer is yes to any of the above questions, go straight to Exemption Acres. No more action is needed!
All other Baltimore City Projects must follow one of the following compliance options before moving on through Sustainable Development Land.
- International Green Construction Code (IgCC) Chapters 4-9 with the City of Baltimore Council Bill 14-0413 Overlay
- LEED Silver certification
- ICC 700 (National Green Building Standard) – Bronze with Silver score in the Energy Efficiency section
- ASHRAE 189.1
- Enterprise Green Communities – possible addition coming soon
By complying with or certifying under any of these systems, the player can advance to S’mores Swamp.
New Construction
Once you progress to S’mores Swamp in Sustainable Development Land, the player will either take the New Construction Causeway or the Renovation of Existing Building Ramp. If the player takes the New Construction Causeway, the player can go straight to Compliance Castle. The project complies with BCGCC by meeting IgCC, LEED, ICC 700, ASHRAE 189.1, or Enterprise Green Communities.
Renovation of Existing Building
When traveling down the Renovation of Existing Building Ramp, the player will reach the FroYo Forest.
If the renovation project met LEED, ICC 700, ASHRAE 189.1, or Enterprise Green Communities, the player may skip FroYo Forest and proceed directly to Compliance Castle. If the project is pursuing the IgCC option, the player may cross the FroYo Forest and comply with the applicable sections of Chapters 4-9 as they specifically apply to the renovation and continue on through Sustainable Development Land.
As the player moves closer to the end of Sustainable Development Land while pursuing the IgCC option, the player must pause at the stop sign. At the stop sign, the player must also consult Chapter 10 of the IgCC to determine if Table 1003.2 “Minimum Values for additional Requirements to Alterations” is applicable to the project. If the total cost of the alteration of the existing building is less than the percentage value of the building as indicated in Table 1003.2, no additional action is needed. The player can move to Compliance Castle.
If the total cost of the alteration of the existing building is greater than the percentage value of the building as indicated in Table 1003.2, then the player must comply with the applicable sections of Chapters 4-9 and follow the additional instructions in Section 1003.2.1 through 1003.2.7 then advance to Compliance Castle.
Congratulations!
Congratulations, you have made it from permit, through Sustainable Development Land, across S’mores Swamp, around the New Construction Causeway, down the Renovation of Existing Building Ramp, through FroYo Forest, past Exemption Acres, and all the way to Compliance Castle. Your project meets BCGCC!
What’s Next
We are experts at Sustainable Development Land. With us, your path to Compliance Castle will become easier and easier! Stay tuned for updates on BCGCC. We are on top of all changes to Sustainable Development Land; we really like to play!
Having co-written the most referenced article on the topic and currently presenting on the IgCC to industry cohorts, we are happy to address any of your BCGCC related questions and guide you through code compliance.