Green Construction
"Nashville needs to be a leading city for sustainable living, with clean air, clean water, and plenty of preserved open space." --Mayor Karl Dean
Living sustainably, with reduced use of fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources, is not only one of our city's stated goals - it's an essential part of making Nashville and Davidson County a greener and more livable city for current and future generations. Here, we have collected links to some of Metro's green initiatives.
Green building permits
The Codes Department began offering a green building permit in spring 2009, recognizing projects which "demonstrate responsible, quality construction with respect to energy efficiency, environmental impact, and reductions in the use of shared municipal resources." J2K Builders started work on Metro's first green-permitted home in North Nashville soon afterward, and applications continue to increase as builders recognize the advantages of sustainable construction.
Applicants for a green building permit receive expedited processing when they file a standard application through the Codes Department's Buzzsaw electronic filing system and include documentation of their intent to use one of three major green standards:
After construction is completed and inspected, applicants will receive a green use & occupancy certificate.
Mayor Dean's Green Ribbon initiative
A "Green Ribbon Committee" of community leaders was formed in summer 2008 to study local environmental issues and set a plan for action. Their summary report, issued in April 2009, provides 16 goals and 71 recommendations.
Other resources
The US Department of Energy says a white roof can reduce a building's electric bill by as much as twenty percent - and Mayor Dean's Green Ribbon initiative recommends encouraging white-roof construction and conversion in Davidson County.
More information on white roofs from the US Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA's online calculator
Metro Stormwater's Low Impact Development page
Metro's proposed new downtown code would support more sustainable development in the city center.