Boston Zoning Commission Okays Net Zero Mandate for New Buildings

The Boston Zoning Commission approved the Wu administration’s “net zero” requirement for new buildings after turning it down last year, the Boston Business Journal reported. The 8-3 vote cleared the final hurdle to enact the measure, which mandates that future real estate developments have net zero carbon emissions as soon as they open, or their owners will face fines. The rule applies to projects formally proposed to the city beginning in July 2025.

Although the mandate will be immediate for many developments, the rule gives new life sciences labs until 2035 to reach net zero, and new hospital buildings and manufacturing sites until 2045. The requirements apply to buildings over 20,000 square feet or with at least 15 residential units, and excludes renovations, small additions and changes in building use.

The net zero mandate is in addition to a new building energy code laying out high energy-efficiency standards in new construction along with the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance requiring larger existing buildings to reach net zero by 2050. NAIOP Massachusetts has criticized the new mandate as excessive on top of other new requirements, reported the Business Journal.