Hollywood, FL Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Single-family minimum
- 5 green practices (§ 151.155)
- Small nonresidential minimum
- 10 green practices (§ 151.156)
- Large development (>20,000 sf)
- LEED/FGBC certification required
- Innovative-practice cap
- 2 per project (§ 151.157)
- Large-development bond
- 1% of cost or $200,000, held 18 mo.
- Adopted by
- Ord. O-2011-06, 2-16-11
Summary
Hollywood's Mandatory Green Building Practices ordinance forces every new home, duplex, and commercial building to bake in a set minimum of green measures, five for single-family homes, ten for small nonresidential buildings, and full LEED or FGBC certification for anything over 20,000 square feet.
§ 151.155 SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS AND DUPLEXES. New construction of, and a major renovation to, a single-family detached dwelling or duplex shall include a minimum of five green building practices. § 151.156 SMALL NON-RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES. New construction of, and a major renovation to, a structure (other than a single-family detached dwelling or duplex) with not more than 20,000 square feet of total floor area shall include a minimum of ten green building practices. § 151.158 LARGE DEVELOPMENTS. (A) New construction of, and a major renovation to, a stand-alone building (other than a single-family detached dwelling or duplex) with more than 20,000 square feet of total floor area shall be certified under the latest applicable version of the LEED Green Building Rating System of the USGBC, certified by the FGBC or under another recognized certification program approved by the City Manager or his or her designee and shall comply with the Florida Building Code.
Full Breakdown
159 define and require green building practices for all new construction and major renovations (repairs to more than 50% of a building's gross floor area within 12 months) in Hollywood. 156 requires small nonresidential structures under 20,000 square feet to include at least ten. 153 lists specific options: Energy Star appliances, low-flow shower heads, central vacuum systems, dual-flush toilets, an 18-SEER-or-higher air conditioner, a state-certified solar hot water heater, a rooftop solar photovoltaic system of at least 800 watts, and electric vehicle-charging infrastructure, each verified by a plans examiner or inspector at permit review or final inspection.
157 caps at two the number of unlisted 'innovative' practices the Building Official may approve toward that minimum. 158, though the Planning and Development Board can waive that requirement on a showing of unreasonable burden, negative impact on a historic structure, or defeat of the certification's intent, if the waiver request is filed at least 30 days before the building permit application. Developers who exceed the basic certification get incentives: priority site plan, building plan, and permit review; a parking reduction tied to a zoning variance; up to one extra dwelling unit per acre with City Commission approval; and city staff technical assistance.
Violations & Fines
A large-development building permit will not be accepted without proof of certification filing at least 30 days before permit application (§ 151.158(D)). The developer must post a performance bond, cash, or letter of credit equal to 1% of the master permit construction cost or $200,000, whichever is less, held for up to 18 months; if certification is never achieved and fewer than 85% of the required credits were earned, the city forfeits a proportional share of that bond based on the credits still outstanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many green building practices does a new Hollywood home need?
Do large commercial projects in Hollywood need LEED certification?
What happens if a certified large development never earns its green certification?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hollywood
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hollywood to another location·View the Florida building safety overview
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