Fairfax City, Virginia, approves new green building policy
The Fairfax City Council unanimously adopted a new green building policy on June 29, 2026, setting new environmental standards for buildings across the city and future private developments that seek discretionary approvals. Under the policy, existing city buildings of 1,000 square feet or more will be subject to energy benchmarking and audits. New city buildings and major renovations of 5,000 square feet or more will be required to meet higher performance standards, including LEED Gold certification for new construction and major renovations.
“This policy is a practical tool that advances city goals, improves building performance, reduces long-term costs and environmental impacts and aligns the city with regional best practices,” said Stephanie Kupka, the city’s sustainability program manager.
According to Kupka, buildings account for nearly half of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, making both public and private building standards important to the city’s climate strategy.
