Planning a new home or remodel raises many questions beyond the scope, schedule, and budget when it comes to human health and the environment. By continually improving how we locate, design, build and maintain our homes, we can have a positive impact on our environment, while improving our lifestyles. As more people choose to call King County home, the pressures on our natural resources increase. Green building techniques offer several ways to offset these growth impacts. The pages found here contain information about green building practices for everything from painting a single room to building your dream home.

LEED for homes

LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. Green homes use less energy, water and natural resources, create less waste, and are more durable and comfortable for occupants.

Case studies

These case studies highlight real world applications of sustainable building principles and strategies and offer ideas, lessons, and inspiration.

Residential remodeling guides

Green remodeling is an approach to home improvement with the goal of not only making your home look better, but making it work better-for both you and the environment.

Built green

The Built Green program provides builders, developers and consumers with easy-to-understand rating systems that quantify environmentally preferable building practices.

GreenTools for rural builders

Careful site planning and attention to sustainable design practices can translate into cost savings and increased value.

Affordable housing

In February 2008, King County launched the Equity & Social Justice Initiative, to eliminate long-standing and persistent inequities and social injustices. Green affordable housing is a strong component of this initiative and a top priority for GreenTools. In order to have true sustainability in your neighborhood, social equity must be at the forefront of priorities when planning livable communities.