Atlanta encourages sustainable design through the Atlanta Sustainable Building Ordinance and Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance. New municipal projects must meet LEED Silver, and large commercial buildings must benchmark and audit energy use.
Atlanta's green building framework is built around the Sustainable Building Ordinance (08-O-1620), requiring city-funded projects above thresholds to achieve LEED Silver or equivalent, and the Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance (15-O-1132) requiring buildings 25,000 square feet and larger to benchmark energy and water use annually through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and complete a periodic energy audit or retrocommissioning. Compliance is managed by the Mayor's Office of Resilience and reported through the city's open data portal. New construction permits issued under Ch. 8 incorporate Georgia State Energy Code (currently based on IECC) requirements. Solar-ready and EV-ready provisions appear in select Atlas City Design Standards.
Failure to benchmark or submit required audits exposes covered buildings to escalating fines under the Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance; noncompliance is published on the city open data portal.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta requires NFPA 13 sprinkler systems in most new commercial and multi-family construction through Ch. 8 amendments to the Georgia State Minimum Buildin...
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta enforces comprehensive stormwater management under City Code Chapter 74 (Environment), Article X (Post-Development Stormwater Management). The city o...
See how Atlanta's green building code rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.