The National Green Building Standard (ICC 700-2008) is the first and only consensus-based green building standard for residential properties.  NMHC was instrumental in having the standard expanded to include apartments and the residential portions of mixed-use developments. 

The development of the NGBS was a top priority for NMHC.  Prior to the NGBS, apartment firms considering building green had to follow guidelines designed for either high-rise commercial properties or single-family houses.  As a result of NMHC's participation in the standard’s development process, this is the only residential green building program based on input from the apartment industry.

The NGBS serves dual purposes.  Not only does it provide apartment firms with uniform guidance on green building practices appropriate for low-, mid- and high-rise apartment construction, mixed-use and retrofits, it also offers local jurisdictions an alternative to non-standardized green rating systems (like the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED criteria).   This is increasingly important given the growing number of states and localities considering mandatory green building requirements. 

Importantly, because the NGBS is a joint effort by the International Code Council and the National Association of Home Builders, the NGBS is the only green rating system specifically written to be compatible with existing building codes.

The NGBS received approval from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is January 2009, which signifies that the standard was developed through a rigorous process requiring public input, a diversity of participants, consensus and due process.  Work has begun on the second edition of the NGBS, which will be published in 2012.

More information about the NGBS, including case examples and an online scoring tool, is available at: http://www.nahbgreen.org/Standard/ansistandard.aspx.