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 700-2025 NGBS is available for use, and copies of the ICC 700-2020 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. Builders and developers can pursue certification at multiple levels - Certified, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald - depending on their project goals, building types, market demands and sustainability priorities. The standard also includes a One-Star to Four-Star rating system for land development projects.

The Home Innovation Research Labs has certified the compliance of over 750,000 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.

For information about the new 2025 National Green Building Standard®, watch a replay of this webinar which outlined the updates made to the standard and explored specific topic areas.

Download a free PDF of the ICC 700-2025 National Green Building Standard® now. A print version will be available on Builderbooks.com soon.

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.