Coconut Creek, FL Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

Section 13-320 of the Land Development Code, titled Green building construction, states the city's finding that demolition, construction and maintenance of buildings has a significant impact on sustainability, resource usage, waste management and occupant health. Under subsection (b), every applicant for new development or redevelopment must retain a LEED accredited professional on the planning and design team and address five groups of components: sustainable site development (construction pollution prevention, construction site materials recycling, stormwater management, alternative transportation, minimizing heat island effect), water efficiency (innovative water technologies, water efficient landscaping), energy efficiency (minimum energy performance, on-site renewable energy), indoor environmental quality (indoor air quality), and materials and recycling (recycling of demolition waste, storage and collection of recyclables post-occupancy, building reuse, regional materials). The owner must maintain the components for the life of the building.

Subsection (c) sets the paperwork. At site plan submittal the owner provides a written letter addressing each component and showing how green building will be demonstrated, plus notes or drawings on the site plan and a checklist showing how each item will exceed the Florida Building Code and other applicable codes. The LEED accredited professional is documented with both the site plan and the building permit submittals, and a checklist for each item goes in at building permit.

Subsection (d) applies the rule to all new commercial, office, industrial, hotel and civic uses, all new mixed-use projects, and all new residential uses except one single-family home on an existing platted lot in the A-1 or RS-1 district.

Subsection (e) offers an alternative: certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (LEED) or the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. The owner states the intent and names the certifier at site plan, shows progress at building permit, and delivers proof of certification to the department of sustainable development within 18 months of the final building certificate of occupancy. Subsection (f) exempts accessory buildings under 5,000 square feet, mobile homes, additions on residential homes, nonresidential additions of 15 percent or less of existing floor area, and demolitions under 1,500 square feet.