Nassau County, NY Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Threshold
- >5,000 sq ft and $1M+ cost
- Standard
- LEED Silver rating or higher
- Applies to
- County-funded capital projects only
- Exemption cap
- 5% of annual capital budget
- Enacted
- Local Law 16-2007, effective 2008
Summary
Nassau County's Green Building Standards Law requires county capital projects over 5,000 square feet and $1 million in construction cost to meet LEED Silver green building standards for energy, water, materials and indoor air quality.
Any capital project involving greater than five thousand square feet and with an estimated construction cost of one million dollars or more involving the (i) the construction of any new building, (ii) any addition to any existing building, or (iii) the substantial reconstruction of any existing building shall be designed and constructed in a manner that shall comply with green building standards not less stringent than the standards prescribed for buildings designed in accordance with the LEED green building rating system to achieve a LEED silver or higher rating.
Full Breakdown
Under Title 66 of the county's Miscellaneous Laws, any capital project the county funds at least one-third of, involving new construction, additions, or substantial reconstruction of more than 5,000 square feet at $1 million or more, must be designed and built to LEED Silver or higher for energy efficiency, water efficiency, materials and indoor environmental quality. HVAC, lighting, or plumbing retrofits above lower cost thresholds must comply to the extent compliance costs don't exceed life-cycle savings. The County Executive can grant exemptions, capped at 5% of that year's capital budget, and must publish findings before substituting a non-LEED standard.
Violations & Fines
No fine is prescribed; noncompliant county capital projects simply cannot proceed unless the County Executive publishes exemption findings under Section 6, capped at 5% of that year's capital budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to private homes or businesses in Nassau County?
Which projects must meet LEED Silver?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nassau County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Nassau County to another location·View the New York building safety overview
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