Title
Agenda Item:
Green Building Code
Body
Issue:
The 2012 Edition of the Washington State International Building Codes is currently undergoing review for State and local amendments and will be considered by the City Council in Spring 2013.
Committee Recommendation:
N/A
City Manager's Recommendation:
Receive a report and overview on adoption of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) and consider next steps and options for using or adopting the International Green Constructions Code locally.
Staff Contact:
Tom Hill, Building Official, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8486.
Background and Analysis:
What is the IGCC? It is a code intended to reduce the negative impacts of the built environment on the natural environment by addressing conservation of:
· Natural resources
· Materials
· Energy
· Water
Building codes and standards have traditionally addressed how the environment affects buildings - gravity, wind, snow, water, earthquakes, etc. Until quite recently, they have not generally addressed the other half of the equation: how buildings affect the environment. While traditional building codes provide many construction options (for example, walls can be built of wood or steel frame, masonry or concrete, etc.), they do not encourage one solution, material or system over another. In contrast, the IGCC mandates design choices based upon potential environmental impact.
Because the IGCC is consistent and coordinated with the International Code Council's (ICC) family of codes and standards, it is not a rating sytem, nor is it intended to replace them. The IGCC is a code which is intended to be adopted on a mandatory basis. Unlike most rating systems, the IGCC primarily consists of minimum mandatory requirements, just as other International Building Codes.
The City of Olympia staff, in concert with the Northwest Eco-guild recently completed a series of Focus Meetings that provided more detailed examination of the input the community gave...
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