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POLICY FRAMEWORK GUIDE <br />A policy framework addresses the fundamental questions of “what” and “who” — what does the <br />policy cover, who does this apply to, who manages the policy, and what happens with non- <br />compliance. <br />Identify City Overlay and Applicable Rating Systems <br />The first step is to understand the universe of existing third-party green building rating systems.1 <br />Such rating systems provide processes for developers to achieve the city’s aims. Rating <br />systems are often similar but not identical. For that reason, the city should note the strengths <br />and weaknesses of the rating systems relative to one another and make a list of priority impacts <br />the city wants to target. That list, along with considerations of other city goals, becomes a city <br />overlay — a set of specific measurable minimum requirements that go beyond the base <br />construction code and may exceed a standard’s requirements. <br />DOE Zero <br />Energy <br />Ready <br />Homes <br />ENERGY <br />STAR® <br />certification <br />Water <br />conservation, <br />waste <br />diversion, <br />indoor <br />environmental <br />quality, <br />etc. <br />City Overlay: <br />Single Family <br />Rating System: MN <br />Green Communities <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Figure 1: Example relationship between the city overlay and an existing rating system for a single- <br />family home new construction. A development must comply with everything in the city overlay. <br />For many components, the MN Green Communities rating system meets the city’s criteria. <br />However, as this example shows the city is specifically targeting higher building performance with <br />DOE Zero Energy Ready certification. <br />Applicable rating systems and the overlay should both be included in a policy. The two work in <br />tandem, giving the city high-level policy customization, while giving developers flexibility in how <br />to meet the targets. One benefit for the city is that using such rating systems lessens the need <br />for specialized staff. In addition, leveraging existing rating systems that are well known in <br />today’s construction industry allows for ease of communication and cost-effectiveness of <br />implementation. <br />2 <br /> <br />1 Green building rating systems — sets of sustainability criteria with detailed and proscriptive pathways for <br />meeting the criteria. They are generally broad covering many sustainability areas (e.g., water, energy, waste, <br />materials) and can include topic focused standards (e.g., Sustainable Buildings 2030 energy standard).