City of Madison Strengthens Commitment to Sustainable Building Standards

For Immediate Release
January 15, 2026

At Tuesday's Common Council meeting, the City of Madison raised its green building requirements for all City-owned facilities by passing a resolution requiring LEED Gold certification for all new construction projects. This commitment from our Alders, City Staff, and the Mayor will minimize climate pollution from our buildings and reduce operating costs for taxpayers.

"Madison has set ambitious climate goals, and our buildings are a critical piece of reaching those targets," said Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. "By raising our standards for all new facilities to LEED Gold, we're ensuring that every new City facility sets an example and aligns with our climate commitments."

The Common Council resolution, which takes effect June 1, 2026, requires all new City buildings to achieve LEED Gold certification. This is an upgrade from the previous Silver standard established in 2008. Adding to this commitment, all major renovation projects of 5,000 square feet or more must now meet LEED Silver certification, and all projects will be evaluated for maximum on-site renewable energy systems.

"Investing in sustainable buildings is a win-win for our community," said Alder Sean O'Brien. "These higher standards will create healthier spaces for workers and visitors and save money on energy bills. It's the kind of forward-thinking policy Madison is proud to support."

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a globally recognized green building certification system that evaluates buildings on their environmental performance. LEED-certified buildings aim to use less energy and water, reduce waste, and create better spaces for occupants. Achieving LEED Gold certification means a building has met specific standards for sustainability, from energy efficiency and renewable energy use to indoor air quality. These buildings cost less to operate over their lifetime and provide healthier work environments.

"Our facilities team doesn't just want to meet requirements, we want to exceed them," said Bryan Cooper, Assistant City Engineer - Facilities. "Of the fourteen LEED-certified buildings the City currently owns, twelve have already achieved Gold or Platinum certification. This resolution will help us continue to be a sustainable buildings leader in our community."

Buildings and facilities accounted for nearly half of climate pollution from City operations in 2022. In its 2024 Sustainability Plan, the City set the goal of reducing climate pollution from City facilities by 55% by 2030 from their 2018 baseline. This resolution will help the City meet this ambitious goal.

"This resolution is about walking the walk when it comes to climate action," said Alder Tag Evers. "The City has committed to reducing emissions from our facilities and requiring LEED Gold certification shows residents and the private sector that we're serious about meeting our goals."