Saint Paul, MN Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Legislative Code Ch. 81, adopted 2018
- Funding trigger
- Private projects over $200,000 in city funds
- Major renovation size
- 10,000+ sq ft with new HVAC systems
- Commercial standards
- LEED silver/gold/platinum, MN B3, or Port Authority review
- Residential standards
- LEED, MN B3, GreenStar, or Green Communities
- Waiver authority
- City council or HRA board of commissioners
Summary
Saint Paul requires city- and HRA-funded construction and major renovations to meet a certified green building standard under Legislative Code Chapter 81, plus the city's own "Saint Paul Overlay" performance requirements. The rule reaches beyond city buildings to private projects that receive more than $200,000 in city funding.
New Construction or major renovations to which this chapter applies pursuant to section 81.03 are required to be certified under an eligible sustainable building standard at the listed rating level, and must meet the standards set forth in the Saint Paul Overlay. For any projects to which this chapter applies under section 81.03(c), compliance with this chapter must be a condition of receipt of city funding.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 133 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 81 ("Sustainable Building," Ord 17-60, adopted 1-24-18) applies to three groups of projects under Sec. 81.03: new construction or major renovation of city- or HRA-owned/operated facilities; projects where the city or HRA will become the sole tenant; and new construction or major renovation of any facility in Saint Paul that receives more than $200,000 of "city funding" (defined in Sec. 81.02(a) to include CDBG, TIF, HOME funds, multifamily housing revenue bonds, LIHTC, and other city, HRA, federal, state or Met Council sources). "Major renovation" means work on at least 10,000 square feet requiring new or replaced mechanical, ventilation, or cooling systems.
Sec. 81.04 requires covered projects to be certified under an eligible "sustainable building standard" at the listed rating level and to meet the Saint Paul Overlay. For commercial projects the eligible standards are LEED (silver, gold or platinum), the State of Minnesota B3 Guidelines, or Saint Paul Port Authority Green Design Review; residential projects may also use GreenStar or Green Communities certification; parking structures use Parksmart (silver or gold). The director of the Department of Planning and Economic Development promulgates the Saint Paul Overlay, which under Sec. 81.02(f) must set standards for predicted and actual energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, potable water and landscape water use, renewable energy, EV charging capability, construction waste diversion, indoor environmental quality, stormwater management, resilient design, and ongoing energy/water monitoring. For projects covered solely because they exceed the $200,000 city-funding threshold, Sec. 81.04(b) makes compliance a condition of receiving that funding. Sec. 81.05 allows the city council, or the HRA board of commissioners where HRA funds are involved, to waive the chapter's requirements in whole or in part.
Violations & Fines
Compliance is enforced through the funding relationship rather than fines: for privately owned projects receiving more than $200,000 in city assistance, Sec. 81.04(b) makes certification and Overlay compliance a condition of the grant, loan, TIF, or bond funding itself, so non-compliance puts continued disbursement or the funding agreement at risk. The Director of Planning and Economic Development administers the standards, and the city council or HRA board of commissioners is the only body that can grant a waiver under Sec. 81.05.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Saint Paul's green building ordinance apply to my private home remodel?
What certification does Saint Paul accept for commercial buildings?
Can the city waive the sustainable building requirements?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Saint Paul
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