The Town of Hillsborough’s City Council approved a new Green Building Ordinance (Ordinance #686) in April 2009 to require a minimum number of green building techniques in new construction and remodeling projects. The Green Building Ordinance is effective July 1, 2009 and requires completion of Build It Green’s Single Family GreenPoint Rated Checklist (Save document to hard drive before editing) and approval by Building Department staff. The ordinance requires that the applicant comply with the provisions of the approved GreenPoint Checklist and meet the requirements as outlined in the Ordinance's Standards for Compliance. These Standards for Compliance require that the permit applicant meet a minimum number of “Green Points” relative to the size and type of project. The permit applicant is also to provide documentation and evidence prior to final building inspection indicating that the approved GreenPoint measures have been completed. For more information about the green building measures identified in the GreenPoint Checklist, please refer to Build It Green’s most current New Home Construction Green Building Guidelines and Home Remodeling Green Building Guidelines.

The goal of the ordinance is to provide energy and water efficient, sustainable and healthy homes for the residents of Hillsborough. The Town developed the Green Building Ordinance in a collaborative manner and received a significant amount of feedback from the residents and building professionals in the development process. There has been a voluntary green building program in Hillsborough since February 2008 and Town staff will continue to provide green building resources, guidelines and workshop opportunities for residents and building professionals. For additional information, view the Building and Planning Department's June 2009 Green Building Program workshop presentation (PowerPoint). Also, check out the resources and information below and elsewhere on the Town’s green building pages.