Resources
Government Green Building Policies: A National Inventory
By Sherrie Gruder
Aug 23, 2007, 12:22

Government Green Building Programs Inventory can be accessed directly at

http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/GovtGreenInventory.pdf or at www.shwec.uwm.edu under publications.

In the last three years since Government Green’s first release, the number of government green building programs has nearly tripled, increasing from 36 municipal programs to over 113. The programs have expanded to include additional sectors and, in some cases, the base level of certification required has increased as well.
 
Of the 113 municipal programs listed in this inventory:

• 101 are based on the LEED™ green building rating system.
• While the majority of municipalities use the LEED™ standard, 28% do not require third party certification through USGBC.
• Seventy-three municipalities require certification through USGBC for at least one of their sectors (municipal, commercial, multifamily, residential, industrial). 
• Some communities require that municipal buildings are certified to LEED™ but offer voluntary programs with incentives for the private sector. 
• Fifty-five per cent of municipalities listed have programs and policies that pertain to private commercial development.
• There are many permutations and approaches between communities as detailed in the inventory.