Duluth, MN Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

Section 50-29.1 of the Unified Development Chapter applies its sustainability standards to all new residential development proposals containing three or more units, and all non-residential development with a gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or more. Section 50-29.2 sets the score each project must clear from Table 50-29-1's menu: residential projects with 3 to 29 units need 3 points, projects of 30 units or more need 4 points, non-residential projects of 10,000 to 25,000 square feet need 3 points, and larger non-residential projects need 4 points.

Table 50-29-1 assigns points across categories including brownfield or previously-developed site reuse (0.75 to 1.5 points), ASHRAE 189.1 compliance for building envelope, lighting or HVAC (0.75 to 1.5 points each), alternative-energy generation of at least 15 percent of a project's electricity (1 point), solar panels on at least 15 percent of dwelling units (0.75 points), green or cool roofs (1 to 2 points), stormwater retention of 0.5 to 1.1 inches of runoff (0.5 to 0.75 points), and sourcing at least 20 percent of construction materials from recycled or regionally-produced products (1.5 points).

Section 50-29.2.C gives developers an alternative to the point count entirely: buildings that achieve LEED certification at the silver level or above shall not be required to meet the above requirements. Applicants must document, at the time of application, the techniques they will use to hit their point total, backed by invoices, receipts or delivery confirmations for items an inspector cannot verify visually, under Section 50-29.2.D.