City of Houston - Residential and Commercial Green Building Requirements
Houston's 2021 building code requires new homes to include solar-ready roof provisions and EV-ready parking (a dedicated electrical space for future EV chargers), helping you prepare for clean energy and electric vehicle adoption. You'll work with your builder during the design phase to ensure these provisions are incorporated into your home's plans.
New residential projects must comply with solar-ready standards (Appendix RB of the 2021 IECC) and provide at least one EV-ready parking space per dwelling unit with dedicated onsite private parking—defined as a branch circuit with outlet, junction box, or receptacle ready to support installed EVSE. Commercial projects must provide installed Level 2 EVSE (minimum 6.2 kVA or 30 amps at 208/240V) and EV Ready or Capable spaces based on building type when parking has 10+ spaces, with flexibility to substitute installed EVSE for EV Ready spaces or EV Ready for EV Capable spaces.
Houston adopted the 2021 IECC in October 2023, making solar-ready provisions (Appendix RB) mandatory for detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses, and EV-ready provisions (Appendix RD) optional for the same residential types. Commercial buildings may optionally implement solar-ready zones (Appendix CB) and EV provisions (Appendix CD), with EV requirements triggered for multifamily and commercial buildings with 10+ parking spaces. Compliance is enforced through the Building Code Enforcement's plan review and inspection processes, which certify conformance to adopted code standards.
Program details
- Program ID
- 5593
- Last updated
- 12/12/2024
Eligibility
- Sectors
- commercial residential multifamily residential
- Technologies
- solar water heat solar photovoltaics comprehensive measures/whole building level-2 electric vehicle service equipment make-ready equipment
Program summary
Residential
In 2014, the City Council of Houston passed Ordinance No. 2014-5, requiring new residential construction to exceed the energy efficiency requirements under the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) by 15%. In October 2016, the City of Houston adopted Chapter 11 of the 2015 IECC with amendments per state law.
In October 2023, the city adopted the 2021 IECC with amendments. Houston adopted Appendix RB of the 2021 IECC, the Solar-Ready Provisions -- Detached One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Townhouses, with a minor technical amendment as a mandatory standard.
It also adopted Appendix RD, the Electric Vehicle "EV" Ready Residential Provisions, with amendments as an optional standard. The EV provisions apply to single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and townhouses. Each dwelling unit with designated onsite private parking must have at least one EV Ready space. "EV Ready" is defined as an automobile parking space with a branch circuit and either an outlet, junction box, or receptacle that will support an installed electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).
Commercial
In April 2008, Houston adopted the City of Houston Commercial Energy Conservation Code based on ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004. In December 2016, the City of Houston adopted the 2015 IECC with amendments per state law and ASHRAE 90.1-2013 with amendments.
In October 2023, the city adopted the 2021 IECC with amendments. Houston adopted Appendix CB of the 2021 IECC, the Solar-Ready Zone -- Commercial provisions, in full as an optional standard. It also adopted Appendix CD, the Electric Vehicle "EV" Ready Commercial Provisions, with amendments as an optional standard. The EV provisions apply to multi-family residential and commercial buildings. New parking facilities with at least 10 parking spaces must have installed EVSE, EV Ready spaces, and EV Capable spaces. The amount of each is determined by the type of building. Additional installed EVSE spaces can be used to replace EV Ready and EV Capable spaces, while additional EV Ready spaces can be used to replace EV Capable spaces.
Installed EVSE must have a minimum charging rate of 6.2 kilo volt-amperes or 30 amperes at 208/240 volts. "EV Ready" is defined as a designated parking space with a dedicated branch circuit with at least 40 amperes and 208/240 volts that terminates in a junction box within 3 feet of the parking space. "EV Capable" is defined as a dedicated parking space with electrical panel capacity and space for a branch circuit with at least 40 amperes and 208/240 volts, and is equipped with underground and surface-mounted raceways, to enable the future installation of EVSE. A single branch circuit is permitted for two adjacent EV Ready or EV Capable spaces.
Contact & resources
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
