Green Building Certification Systems One of the most significant developments in sustainable building is the growth of green building certification or rating systems. The particulars of the systems vary. The US Green Building Council offers this national rating system, certifies projects as LEED Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum based on the number of points achieved. Certification is currently available for commercial projects, but the US Green Building Council is also developing a residential program, one for commercial interiors and one for operations. The City of Seattle now requires all their capital projects over 5,000 square feet to build to the Silver level, and is encouraging the private sector build to similar standards.
Checklists are available for developers, multifamily, single family and remodelers.
The following information, assistance and referrals are some of the best resources to help Seattle businesses build sustainably. Resources marked with a green leaf are brought to you by the Resource Venture. For our full range of resources for businesses interested in resource conservation visit our Resources page. Business and Industry Resource Venture Sustainable Building Program Free assistance for Seattle design and construction professionals to help improve the environmental performance of their building projects. Newsletter Subscription Receive a free subscription to the Resource Venture's information-filled newsletter.