The City is committed to protecting the environment, improving the quality of life, and promoting sustainability. In 2001, Gaithersburg began working with the citizen-based Environmental Affairs Committeeto expand its programs for smart growth & environmental protection to include the promotion of green building. Gaithersburg’s programs seek to encourage green building principles to be applied in both public & private development in order to support environmentally sensitive design, construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings & landscapes.
The City’s green building program & activities include:
The management of existing buildings involves energy analysis, lighting retro-fits and building energy management systems to monitor & control energy usage.
The Robertson Park Youth Center was Gaithersburg’s first green building, achieving LEED® Certification from the US Green Building Council in 2006.
The Olde Towne Youth Center is Gaithersburg’s second green municipal building, achieving LEED® Platinum Certification in 2010. Using the most up-to-date technologies and earth friendly building techniques during its construction, the building’s green features include a vegetated roof, photovoltaic panels to help offset the electrical load, a geothermal heating and cooling system, insulation made of soybeans, floors made of recycled tires, and cabinetry made of wheatboard.
As of May 2019, all City Facilities are also required to follow the IgCC 208.
In October 2022, the City adopted the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) 2021. The IgCC is a model code, intended to protect public health, the environment, safety and general welfare while enhancing the benefits of the built environment.
All requirements of the IgCC 2021 can be found in Chapter 5 of the City Code. Please direct questions regarding the code to plancode@gaithersburgmd.gov.