ICC 700 National Green Building Standard™
The ICC 700 National Green Building Standard® (NGBS) is the first residential green building standard to undergo the full consensus process and receive approval from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). First developed in 2008, the standard is regularly revised in accordance with the ANSI process. The ICC 700-2020 NGBS is now available for use, and copies of the ICC/ASHRAE 700-2015 NGBS are still available as well.
The standard has been widely implemented over the past decade. It provides architects, builders and developers with a flexible above-code program to design and construct homes and apartments that are sustainable, cost-effective and geographically appropriate.
The NGBS includes high-performance building practices in six areas: Lot Design and Development, Resource Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Building Operation & Maintenance. Four certification levels are currently available — Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald — providing residential building professionals options to integrate sustainability and high-performance into their project at a level most appropriate for their business model, customer base and local housing market.
The Home Innovation Research Labs has certified the compliance of nearly 350,000 dwelling units. Dozens of regional and local green initiatives refer to the standard within their program criteria and the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) allows the NGBS as an alternate compliance path for residential buildings more than four stories in height. The IgCC refers to the NGBS for all residential buildings four stories or less in height.
Download a free PDF or order an eBook version of the ICC 700-2020 National Green Building Standard® now. A print version is also available through Builderbooks.com.
Learn more about Home Innovation Research Labs’ NGBS Green Certification program for new homes (both single-family and multifamily), mixed-use buildings, remodeling and renovation projects, and residential developments.