B 26-0585 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Net Zero Modification and Preservation Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

This bill modifies the Green Building Act of 2006 to exempt specific projects from net zero energy compliance requirements. It exempts temporary buildings (like trailers), small additions under 10,000 sq ft, police/fire facilities, natatoriums (indoor pool complexes), and projects with permits submitted before October 1, 2024. The bill also updates definitions in the Clean Energy DC Building Code Act to clarify these exemptions and delays full compliance until new Mayor-issued regulations take effect. These changes directly affect developers and builders of qualifying residential and nonresidential projects in Washington, D.C. The amendments are framed as an emergency measure to address implementation challenges.

Issues: ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics: Renewable Energy Climate Change Conservation

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Council Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed Mar 6, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → Enrollment · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill modifies energy compliance requirements for buildings in Washington DC, primarily by exempting certain nonresidential projects from net zero energy standards and clarifying definitions related to building modifications. The enrolled version simplifies the language and removes references to residential projects that were present in the original draft, focusing the changes on nonresidential construction. Several exemptions for temporary buildings, small additions, emergency facilities, and natatoriums are maintained or clarified.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed from both residential and nonresidential projects to focus primarily on nonresidential projects, removing residential project exemptions that were in the original draft version.

SCOPE

Removed exemptions for residential projects from net zero energy compliance requirements, focusing the bill's changes on nonresidential projects only.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Aquatic center' and 'Natatorium' to clarify which facilities are exempt from certain energy requirements.

Added new energy generation requirements specifying that renewable energy should be generated at the building site wherever feasible.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the trigger for exemptions from 'substantial improvement' to 'Level 3 alterations' to align with building code terminology.

TIMELINE

Updated the permit submission deadline reference to include the specific enactment date of the bill (February 3, 2026) for clarity.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed the acronym from DCRA (Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs) to DOB (Department of Buildings) in enforcement references.

Floor votes · Council Feb 3, 2026

How they voted

13–0

Passed

Total votes 13

Feb 3, 2026

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent2

2 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 3, 2026

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (13-0)

council

Feb 3, 2026

Introduced

Amendment (RWhite)

legislature

Feb 3, 2026

Introduced

Amendment (L George)

legislature

Feb 2, 2026

Introduced

B26-0585 Introduced by Councilmember Lewis George at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors