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OES: Green Buildings

A large portion of greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to energy use in buildings, both here in Fairfax County and nationwide. By constructing buildings designed to use less energy, Fairfax County saves taxpayer dollars and reduces our carbon footprint.

Green buildings do more than just reduce energy use, they also address water use, waste, siting, indoor air quality, and material sourcing. Studies show that people who work in green buildings perform better, feel healthier, and have a better overall experience at their workplace.

On this page, you will find information about Fairfax County's green building standards for county-owned and operated buildings.

Use the dropdowns and map below to learn more.

Featured Green Building: Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage and Transit Center

Located at the Government Center Parkway intersection next to Fairfax Corner, the Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage and Transit Center opened in June 2024 and features green building design with LED lighting, photovoltaic solar panels, a green roof and rain garden, and electric vehicle charging stations, among other features. The project marked a significant milestone in the county's commitment to sustainable transportation solutions and community development.

Explore the Monument Drive Commuter Garage

Dating back to 2008, Fairfax County required new county buildings and major renovations or additions to existing buildings of more than 10,000 square feet to meet minimum green building standards. In recent years, the county has demonstrated its commitment to environmental stewardship by strengthening the energy performance criteria with a transition to Net Zero Energy (NZE) standards.

Fairfax County’s current green building standard is set forth in the Green Building section of the Operational Energy Strategy. It provides that, for facilities with an occupied area greater than 10,000 square feet:

All new construction and major renovations beginning planning and design in 2021 must meet NZE standards unless the Board of Supervisors is advised prior to the 30% design phase as to why the project cannot meet the NZE standard. LEED Gold plus 50% more efficient than baseline is the minimum certification.
All new facility construction, additions and major renovations (a) beginning design in FY 2022 or later are electric-ready and (b) beginning design in FY 2024 or later use only electric equipment and appliances, unless no alternative can be identified.

The construction of NZE and near-NZE buildings and major renovations is a critical component of Fairfax County’s plan to achieve energy carbon neutrality in its operations by 2040.

Fairfax County incorporates a number of design elements to minimize environmental impacts of buildings and to meet criteria established under green building rating systems. These include:

High Performance Building Envelope
Energy Efficient HVAC and Lighting Systems
Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies
Low-flow Plumbing Fixtures
Low Environmental Impact Building Materials
On-Site Renewable Energy Systems
EV Charging Stations and Dedicated EV Parking

LEED gold logo 200 x 200 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) is a green building program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council® (USGBC) that recognizes leadership in development of sustainable buildings. Projects pursuing LEED® certification earn points across several areas including sustainability of the building site, water conservation, energy efficiency, air quality, use of sustainable construction materials, waste reduction, and indoor environmental quality. Based on the number of points achieved, a project receives one of four LEED rating levels: LEED Certified®, LEED Silver®, LEED Gold®, and LEED Platinum®.

Between 2009 and 2021, Fairfax County built several LEED-certified buildings, even though certification wasn’t required at the time. Under the OES, Fairfax County now designs all new buildings and major renovations greater than 10,000 square feet to achieve a minimum of LEED Gold® rating.

Use the map below to see the county’s LEED-certified buildings.

USGBC® and the related logo are trademarks owned by the U.S. Green Building Council® and are used with permission.

Living Building Challenge Certified Buildings

The Living Building Challenge is an international sustainable building certification program created in 2006 by the non-profit International Living Future Institute. Living Building Challenge comprises seven performance areas: site, water, energy, health and happiness, materials, equity and beauty. Applications for certification can be submitted once the building has been in operation for a full year. As of February 2026, the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park is pursuing a Living Building Challenge certification.

Green Globes-Certified Buildings

Green Globes™ is a rating and certification system that encourage improved environmental and health performance for commercial buildings. Green Globes™ is administered in the United States by the Green Building Initiative.

Fairfax County received certifications for these buildings:

Two Green Globes
- Foundations (formerly known as the Girls Probation House)
One Green Globes
- Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter

Operational Energy Strategy in Action: Building for a Greener Future

The construction of net zero-energy buildings is a critical component of Fairfax County’s plan to achieve energy carbon neutrality in its operations by 2040. See how the county's commitment to green building design is helping to save money, reduce carbon emissions, and promote a healthier environment.

Watch Now

Operational Energy Strategy (OES)

The Operational Energy Strategy promotes cost-effective solutions and an energy-conscious culture for county government operations, buildings and fleet vehicles. The plan sets goals, targets and actions across major focus areas - including building energy and water use, fleet electrification, and waste management.

Learn More about OES

Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination

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Department Resources

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OES: Green Buildings

Featured Green Building: Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage and Transit Center

Learn About Green Buildings

Operational Energy Strategy in Action: Building for a Greener Future

Operational Energy Strategy (OES)

More Resources

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Ask Fairfax

STAY CONNECTED

Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination

Alert:

Department Resources

STAY CONNECTED

OES: Green Buildings

Featured Green Building: Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage and Transit Center

Learn About Green Buildings

Learn More about Green Building Standards

See Green Building Design Elements

Track LEED Certified Buildings

Explore Other Green Building Certifications

Operational Energy Strategy in Action: Building for a Greener Future

Operational Energy Strategy (OES)

More Resources

Recent Interactions

Ask Fairfax

STAY CONNECTED