Howell, NJ Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Provision
- Howell Township Code § 188-224H, Article XXV
- Wording
- Township promotes; developers are encouraged
- What to submit
- A LEED scorecard with the development application
- Commercial applications
- Architectural plans or axonometric sketches required (§ 188-223)
- Recreation complex
- Follow LEED guidelines to the extent feasible (§ 188-86.3)
- Certification level
- None printed in § 188-224H
Summary
Howell Township Code § 188-224H promotes green building practices and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, but it words the rule as encouragement: developers are encouraged to submit a LEED scorecard with a development application that includes any proposed buildings. The section prints no certification level or point threshold.
H. Promotion of sustainable development. Howell Township promotes the use of green building practices and the use of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Developers are encouraged to submit a LEED scorecard as part of their development application that will include any proposed buildings.
Full Breakdown
Howell Township's green building language sits in Chapter 188 (Land Use), Article XXV, Nonresidential Community Design Standards. The article was added 8-15-2006 by Ord. No. O-06-32 and amended 5-25-2010 by Ord. No. O-10-13. Section 188-223 sets the frame: the design guidelines encourage a positive relationship between new buildings and their surroundings, and all proposal applications with a commercial component must include architectural plans or axonometric sketches.
The sustainability rule is subsection H of § 188-224, General nonresidential design standards. It says Howell Township promotes the use of green building practices and LEED, and that developers are encouraged to submit a LEED scorecard as part of their development application that will include any proposed buildings. The operative verb is encouraged. The neighboring subsections of the same section use mandatory wording, for example loading and service area screening, which shall be a minimum of five feet tall and visually impervious, so the difference in strength is visible on the face of the text.
The only other LEED reference in the Township Code is in § 188-86.3, the multipurpose recreation and sports complex provision. It says that to the extent feasible, development of such a complex shall follow the guidelines of the U.S. Green Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). That is the one place a LEED reference carries the word shall, and the qualifier to the extent feasible stays attached to it.
Technical building requirements are in Chapter 108, Construction Codes, Uniform, a separate chapter from the Article XXV design standards.
Violations & Fines
Section 188-224H itself prints no penalty, because it is phrased as encouragement and not as a requirement. Violations of the mandatory parts of Chapter 188 fall under § 188-222, which applies § 1-4 of the Township Code: unless another provision sets a different penalty, a fine not exceeding $2,000, imprisonment not exceeding 90 days, or community service of not less than 10 nor more than 90 days, with a minimum fine of $100.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Howell Township require LEED certification for new buildings?
What is a LEED scorecard under the Howell Township Code?
Do commercial applications in Howell Township need plans along with the scorecard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howell
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