Doral, FL Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

Chapter 63 of the Land Development Code requires green certification, not merely encourages it, once a project crosses the 25,000-square-foot interior space threshold set in Sec. 63-2; smaller projects can opt in voluntarily to become eligible for the same incentives. Sec. 63-4 sets the certification standard by building type: non-residential, multifamily, institutional and mixed-use buildings must meet the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), LEED, National Association of Home Builders' National Green Building Standard, or Green Globes System, while single-family homes, duplexes and townhouses must meet the FGBC Green Homes Program or the EPA Energy Star Program; the building official and planning and zoning director can approve an equivalent program on request.

To start, a developer files a letter of intent with the Doral building official under Sec. 63-3, describing the project's green features and target certification, along with a site plan, building plans, owner consent, and a sealed architect or engineer statement confirming the design meets the chosen standard. Sec. 63-5 gives the building official authority to determine the incentive level once compliance is certified. The incentive values in Sec. 63-6 are fixed: $300 per home, $1,000 per non-residential, multifamily, institutional or mixed-use building, and $2,500 per land development project, delivered as reduced permit, inspection or impact fees, or expedited permitting.

Before any building permit issues on a qualifying project, Sec. 63-7 requires the applicant to post a Green Building Bond equal to two percent of the master permit's construction cost value, held for up to 24 months after the certificate of occupancy until proof of certification is filed; failure to certify within that window forfeits the bond to the city's Green Element fund.