The Montgomery County Council unanimously passed legislation requiring the county executive to issue all-electric building standards for new construction by December 31, 2026.
The council’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee recommended approval with amendments directed at several points important to NAIOP members. The amended version of the bill includes changes to:
- Remove major renovations and additions from the requirements;
- Extend the effective date from 2024 to December 31, 2026, for most construction;
- Phase in requirements for residential buildings with 10 or more units after December 31, 2029;
- Clarify and broaden the exemption for restaurants;
- Require that the county executive report to the council on the results of a Maryland Public Service Commission study into the effects of building electrification on utility infrastructure;
- Exempt buildings that are not all-electric but achieve carbon-neutral or net-zero emissions by other means; and
- Exempt gas fireplaces and outdoor grills.
Additional information on Council Bill 13-22 Buildings, Comprehensive Building Decarbonization is available on the Montgomery County Council website.