AEGB Multifamily Rating Update

ABOUT

Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) is updating the Multifamily Rating in response to new building codes and City policies such as the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code update and the City of Austin Climate Equity Plan. Your feedback on the structure and content of the rating system is vital in creating a tool that supports our community through high-performing and health-promoting buildings.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

Since 1991, Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) has cultivated innovation in building to enrich the community's environmental, economic, and human well-being. We accomplish this through green building ratings, consulting services, code advancement, education, and professional development. As the city and the community grow, we continue to raise the standards for energy efficiency, water quality and conservation, indoor environmental quality, material resources, and site development. AEGB is updating the 2020.1 Multifamily Rating to reflect the changes in local goals, codes, and policies adopted since then, as well as advances in building technology and practices and lessons learned. Rating updates address Central Texas' current environmental, community, health, and economic priorities, and ultimately, impact the global ecosystem. 

OUR PROCESS

AEGB's residential team works collaboratively with other City departments, local non-profit organizations, building professionals, and the community to meet these goals by developing standards that encourage higher performance levels in the design and development industry. The rating systems reward sustainable building practices, lead to high-performing buildings and create market demand for more sustainable buildings. Projects are rated on a scale of one to five stars based on a points system of required and voluntary sustainable measures. As the market recognizes the need and benefit of sustainable building practices introduced through the AEGB rating, these measures are incorporated into Austin’s codes and local building regulations.

EQUITY AND AFFORDABILITY

One of the primary goals of this update is to implement the directives of the Austin Climate Equity Plan. Austin’s Climate Equity Plan incorporates input from nearly 200 community members, with an intentional focus on engaging racially and economically diverse residents about the challenges, barriers, and opportunities facing historically excluded groups. Community Climate Ambassadors engaged members of our community on climate-related topics and provided feedback on potential strategies. Additionally, an equity tool helped evaluate each strategy in the plan to account for outcomes related to health, affordability, accessibility, community capacity, cultural preservation, accountability, and a just transition to green jobs.

GET INVOLVED

Community participation is an important part of this program update. The rating feedback period is closed.  Please review the "First & Second Rating Feedback" tab at the top of the page for details.  All drafts are posted in the document section on the side navigation panel at the top of every page. 

If you have any questions about the process or difficulty providing feedback, please get in touch with us using the "Who's Listening?" email listed on the side navigation bar.