Code, Regulatory and Systemic Barriers Affecting Living Building Projects

July 2009

This report addresses both systemic and specific regulatory barriers encountered by projects pursuing the goals and prerequisites established by the Living Building Challenge within the U.S. and Canada. The methodology employed in developing it included examining the range of regulatory and other approvals required to design and build leading-edge projects, surveying Living Building Challenge project teams, researching and reviewing existing literature on this topic, and interviewing knowledgeable experts across the U.S. and Canada in the public and private sectors, in research, and in non-governmental organizations.

David Eisenberg, Development Center for Appropriate Technology
Sonja Persram, Sustainable Alternatives Consulting, Inc.

Katie Spataro, Cascadia Region Green Building Council

Jason F. McLennan, Cascadia Region Green Building Council