Changes to look out for in NGBS 2025
The latest version of the ICC 700-2025 National Green Building Standard (NGBS), introduced several significant changes that homebuilders should be on the lookout for. This is the fifth edition of the building certification, with new paths to compliance for single-family homes, existing multifamily and mixed-use communities with multiple buildings. While the point thresholds remain the same for the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald levels, there are new performance paths for energy and water.
The NGBS 2025 version allows for builders to attain more points during lot design, accounting for wildfire resilience and light pollution reduction. There are also new requirements regarding resource, water and energy efficiency. Notably for resource requirements is a rewrite on resilient construction methods and responsibly sourced and discarded materials.
“Depending on your strategy, you can show gains using traditional cost-based metrics, site energy, source energy and carbon emissions,” said Michelle Foster, Vice President of Home Innovation Research Labs.”The point is that the NGBS gives you options. It recognizes different ways to reach better performance, instead of locking you into a single energy story that may not match your market conditions or buyers’ budgets.
