KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to District of Columbia

B26-0586 • 2025

Net Zero Modification and Preservation Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

Net Zero Modification and Preservation Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

Energy Housing
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Lewis George
Last action
2026-05-21
Official status
Official Law
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Net Zero Modification and Preservation Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

This temporary law changes energy rules for some non-residential buildings in Washington, D.C., by adding exemptions from net-zero requirements and updating key definitions.

What This Bill Does

  • Exempts certain projects from maintaining net-zero energy compliance, including temporary buildings, additions under 10,000 square feet, emergency response facilities, natatoriums, and specific older projects.
  • Updates the definition of 'net-zero-energy standards' to require renewable energy generation on-site where feasible and bans fuel combustion for thermal energy except for backup power.
  • Replaces the term 'substantial improvement' with 'Level 3 alterations' in sections covering which projects must meet new energy rules.
  • Adds official definitions for terms like 'aquatic center,' 'natatorium,' and 'temporary building' to existing construction laws.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Owners or developers of non-residential buildings undergoing Level 3 alterations in the District of Columbia.
  • Construction projects involving temporary structures, small additions under 10,000 square feet, emergency facilities, indoor pools, or natatoriums.
  • Projects that submitted permits before October 1, 2024, but were not reviewed by GBAC before March 1, 2026.

Terms To Know

Net-zero energy compliance
A requirement for buildings to obtain energy from renewable sources as required by Appendix Z and generate that energy on-site where feasible.
Level 3 alteration
A specific type of building change defined in the Building Codes that triggers new energy rules under this law.
Natatorium
A building or complex housing one or more indoor pools featuring HVAC and humidity controls to manage the environment.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This act expires automatically after 225 days from its effective date.
  • Some exemptions for emergency facilities and natatoriums apply only until the Mayor issues final regulations under a separate law.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-21 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Law Number L26-0123 Effective from May 21, 2026, Expires on Jan 01, 2027

  2. 2026-04-09 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Transmitted to Congress

  3. 2026-03-27 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Act A26-0280 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 005075

  4. 2026-03-23 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Returned from Mayor

  5. 2026-03-20 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0280

  6. 2026-03-09 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Mar 23, 2026

  7. 2026-03-03 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Legislative Meeting

  8. 2026-02-13 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0586 Published in the District of Columbia Register

  9. 2026-02-03 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Retained by the Council

  10. 2026-02-03 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Legislative Meeting

  11. 2026-02-02 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    B26-0586 Introduced by Councilmember Lewis George at Office of the Secretary

Official Summary Text

Net Zero Modification and Preservation Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
AN ACT

ACT 26-280
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
MARCH 20, 2026
Toamend,onatemporarybasis,theGreenBuildingActof2006toexemptcertainnonresidentialprojectsfrommaintainingnetzeroenergycomplianceandtomodifynetzeroenergycompliancerequirementsfornonresidentialprojects;andtoamendsection2oftheCleanEnergyDC BuildingCodeAmendmentActof2022tomodifythedefinitionofnet-zero-energystandardsandthetypesofprojectsforwhichthenet-zero-energystandardsapply.
BEITENACTEDBYTHECOUNCILOFTHEDISTRICTOFCOLUMBIA,Thatthisactmaybecitedasthe“NetZeroModificationandPreservationTemporaryAmendmentActof2026".
Sec.2.TheGreenBuildingActof2006,effectiveMarch8,2007(D.C.Law16-234;D.C.OfficialCode§6-1451.01efseq.),isamendedasfollows:
(a)Section2(D.C.OfficialCode§6-1451.01)isamendedasfollows:(1)Paragraph(1)isamendedtoreadasfollows:
“(1)“Addition”shallhavethemeaningascribedtoitintheBuildingCodes.”,(2)Existingparagraph(2A)isredesignatedasparagraph(2B)(3)A newparagraph(2A)isaddedtoreadasfollows:“(2A)“Aquaticcenter”meansastructureintendedforswimmingorrecreationalbathingthatcontainswaterover24inchesdeepandincludesthepool,decks,surroundingstructure,lockerrooms,electricalandmechanicalrooms,andITcontrolsthatsupportthepool.”(4)A newparagraph(3A)isaddedtoreadasfollows:“@A)“BuildingCodes”meanstheportionsoftheConstructionCodesdesignatedastheBuildingCodeandtheExistingBuildingCode.”.
(5)Paragraphs(6)and(7)areamendedtoreadasfollows:(6)“ConstructionCodes”shallhavethesamemeaningasinsection2(2)oftheConstructionCodesApprovalandAmendmentsActof1986,effectiveMarch21,1987(D.C.Law6-216;D.C.OfficialCode§6-1401(2)).“()“Constructiondocuments”shallhavethemeaningascribedtoitintheBuildingCodes.”. (6)Paragraph(8)isrepealed.
(7)Paragraph(14)isamendedtoreadasfollows:
1
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(14)“Existingbuilding”shallhavethemeaningascribedtoitintheBuildingCodes.”.(8)Paragraph(22)isamendedtoreadasfollows:
(22)“Grossfloorarea”shallhavethemeaningascribedtoitintheBuildingCodes.”.(9)A newparagraph(31B)isaddedtoreadasfollows:“(1B)“Level3alteration”shallhavethemeaningascribedtoitintheBuilding

Codes.”.
(10)A newparagraph(32C)isaddedtoreadasfollows:
“(32C)“Natatorium”meansa buildingorcomplexhousingoneormoreindoorpoolsfeaturingHVAC andhumiditycontrolstomanagetheenvironment.”.
(11)Paragraph(40A)isamendedtoreadasfollows:“(40A)“Temporarybuilding”meansa:
“(A)Trailer;or
“(B)Structurethatisusedorintendedforsupportingorshelteringanyuseoroccupancy on a non-permanenttimeframeforan interimuse duringconstructionofa permanent
structure”.
(b)Section3(a)(D.C.OfficialCode§6-1451.02(a))isamendedasfollows:
(1)Thelead-inlanguageofparagraph(1)isamendedbystrikingthephrase
“substantialimprovement”andinsertingthephrase“Level3alterations”initsplace.(2)Paragraph(2)isamendedasfollows:
(A)Subparagraph(C)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“;and”andinsertingasemicoloninitsplace.
(B)Subparagraph(D)isamendedtoreadasfollows:
“(D)Maintainnetzeroenergycomplianceunlesstheprojectisfortheconstruction of:
“(i)A temporarybuilding;
“(ii)Anadditionlessthan10,000squarefeet;
“(iii)A police,fire,emergencyresponse,orOfficeofUnifiedCommunicationsfacility;provided,thatthefacilityneednotcomplywithenergyconservationandobtainmentstandardsotherwiserequiredbysection2(a)(3)(A)and(B)oftheCleanEnergyDCBuildingCodeAmendmentActof2022,effectiveSeptember21,2022(D.C.Law24-177;D.C.OfficialCode§6-1453.01(2)(3)(A)and(B))(“CleanEnergyDC BuildingAct”),untiltheeffectivedateofthefinalregulationsissuedbytheMayorpursuanttosection2(b)(1)oftheCleanEnergyDCBuildingAct(D.C.OfficialCode§6-1453.01(b)(1));
“(iv)A natatorium;provided,thattheaquaticscenterinwhichthe
natatoriumislocatedneednotcomplywithenergyconservationandobtainmentstandardsotherwise
requiredbysection2(a)(3)(A)and(B)oftheCleanEnergyDC BuildingAct(D.C.OfficialCode§6-1453.01(a)(3)(A)and(B)),untiltheeffectivedateofthefinalregulationsissuedbytheMayorpursuanttosection2(b)(1)oftheCleanEnergyDC BuildingAct(D.C.OfficialCode§6-1453.01(b)(1));or

ENROLLED ORIGINAL,
“(v)A projectforwhichallpermitsnecessarytobeginconstructionwere submitted beforeOctober 1,2024, and thatwas not submitted to GBAC beforeMarch 1,2026;
and”.
(C)A newsubparagraph(E)isaddedtoreadasfollows:“(E)Maintaincompliancewithsection2(a)(3)(D)oftheCleanEnergyDCBuildingAct(D.C,OfficialCode§6-1453.01(a)(3)(D)).”.(3)Paragraph(3)(B)isamendedbystrikingtheacronym“DCRA”andinsertingtheacronym“DOB”initsplace.
Sec.3.Section2oftheCleanEnergyDC BuildingCodeAmendmentActof2022,effectiveSeptember21,2022(D.C.Law24-177;D.C.OfficialCode§6-1453.01),isamendedasfollows:(a)Subsection(a)isamendedasfollows:
(1)A newparagraph(2A)isaddedtoreadasfollows:“(2A)“Level3alteration”shallhavethemeaningascribedtoitintheBuildingCodes.”.
(2)Paragraph(3)isamendedasfollows:
(A)Subparagraph(A)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“;and”andinsertingasemicoloninitsplace.
(B)Subparagraph(B)isamendedtoreadasfollows:
“(B)AbuildingobtainsenergyfromrenewableenergysourcesintheamountthatwouldberequiredbythemostrecentversionofAppendixZ;”.
(C)Newsubparagraphs(C)and(D)areaddedtoreadasfollows:
“(C)Renewableenergyshallbegeneratedatthebuildingsitewhereverfeasible;and
“(D)On-sitefuelcombustionshallnotbepermittedfortheprovisionofthermalenergytothebuildingexceptforbackuppowergeneration.”.
(b)Subsection(b)isamendedasfollows:
(1)Paragraph(1)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“substantialimprovements”andinsertingthephrase“Level3alterations”initsplace.
(2)Paragraph(2)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“;except,thatnothinginthisparagraphshallbeconstruedtoprohibittheon-sitecombustionoffossilfuelsforbackuppowergenerationinbuildingsthatareessentialtoprotectingpublichealthandsafety.”andinsertingaperiodinitsplace.
(c)Subsection(c)(1)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“newlyconstructedorsubstantiallyimprovedcoveredbuildings”andinsertingthephrase“coveredbuildingsthatwerenewlyconstructedorunderwentLevel3alterations”initsplace.
Sec.4.Fiscalimpactstatement.
TheCounciladoptsthefiscalimpactstatementoftheBudgetDirectorasthefiscalimpactstatementrequiredbysection4aoftheGeneralLegislativeProceduresActof1975,approvedOctober16,2006(120Stat.2038;D.C.OficialCode§1-301.47a).
3

TROLLED ORIGINAL.
Sec.5.Effectivedate.
(a)ThisactshalltakeeffectfollowingapprovalbytheMayor(orintheeventofvetobytheMayor,actionbytheCounciltooverridetheveto)anda30-dayperiodofcongressionalreviewasprovidedinsection602(c)(1)oftheDistrictofColumbiaHomeRuleAct,approvedDecember24,1973(87Stat.813;D.C,OfficialCode§1-206.02(c)(1)).(b)Thisactshallexpireafter225daysofitshavingtakeneffect.
Vs fie‘hairman
Councilof theDistrictof Columbia

istrictofColumbiaPROVEDMARCH 20, 2026

COUNCILOF THEDISTRICTOF COLUMBIA,
WASHINGTON,DC,20004

DocketNo.826-0586

[TITEMONCONSENTCALENDAR
[XTACTION FirstReading
{x}voTEparE: February3,2026
[x]VolcevoTe ‘Approved
RECORDEDVOTEONREQUEST
ABSENT
[TROLLCALLVOTE~Result

eT SW
= : eo neh
nh coco
X-IndicateVote ‘AB~Absent NV-Present,NotVoting Rec-Recused
Seer Xe nae
ontpncanewoweonseueasanaee ——ee mane[X] VOICE VOTE Approved
[ROLLCALLVOTE-Result

CouncilMember |Aye| Nay ‘CounciiMember_|Aye |Nay[Nv. ‘CouncilMember_|Aye |Nay|NVAB| Rec.
ChairmanMendelson)x Feumin x Pinto
‘Allen x Henderson| x R.White
Bonds x LewisGeorge_| x Tite
Craword x Nadeau x
Felaer x Parker x
X-IndicateVote ABAbsent NV:Present,NotVoting Ree-Recused
CERTIFICATIONRECORD
a4 MeseretarytotheGouna Bate