Duluth, MN Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- 3+ unit residential, 10,000+ sf non-residential
- Residential point minimum
- 3 pts (3-29 units), 4 pts (30+)
- Non-residential point minimum
- 3 pts (10-25k sf), 4 pts (25k+)
- LEED alternative
- Silver certification or above exempts project
- Documentation
- Required at application submittal
Summary
New residential projects of three or more units and non-residential projects of 10,000 square feet or more must earn sustainability points from Duluth's menu of green-building options covering energy efficiency, solar, stormwater retention and recycled materials, though a LEED Silver certification satisfies the requirement outright.
In order to promote sustainable development, 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, shall be required to comply with the provisions of this Section 50-29. ... ... A. Residential development minimum requirements. 1. Residential development with 3-29 units: 3 points. 2. Residential development with 30 or more units: 4 points; ... ... C. LEED-certified building alternative. Buildings that have achieved LEED requirements necessary to receive certification from the U.S. green building council at the silver level or above shall not be required to meet the above requirements;
Full Breakdown
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. 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.
5 points). 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. D.
Violations & Fines
A covered residential or non-residential project that breaks ground without documenting enough sustainability points, or without LEED Silver certification, has not satisfied Section 50-29, and the building official can withhold the building permit or certificate of occupancy under the Chapter 50 enforcement provisions in Section 50-39.2.A, which bars issuing any permit for work that would violate the Chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which new buildings in Duluth must meet the sustainability standards?
How many sustainability points does a new building need in Duluth?
Can a building skip Duluth's sustainability point system?
Sources & Official References
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