Ask City to pass Opt-in Specialized Code
Summary: Learn about the Municipal Opt-in Specialized Building Code, why Framingham should opt in, and what you can do
Description
Ask the City of Framingham to pass the Specialized Building Code as soon as possible.
****NOTE: THE CITY COUNCIL CONTINUES ITS PUBLIC HEARING ON THE SPECIALIZED CODE 7 P.M. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025, AT THE MEMORIAL BUILDING, BLUMER ROOM, 150 CONCORD AVENUE. CHECK THE CITY PUBLIC MEETING CALENDAR FOR MATERIALS AND ZOOM LINK.****
Click the "Steps to Take" tab above for more details about the code.
In a nutshell:
The Specialized “Net Zero” Building Code is an optional Massachusetts building code for new residential and commercial construction. It helps us meet our state climate goals by minimizing use of fossil fuels while reducing energy costs for consumers and businesses. The code, if adopted, would still allow developers to use fossil fuels in their buildings if they choose.
Adoption requires a vote by the City Council. More than 50 communities have adopted the Specialized Code, including Natick, Ashland, Wayland, Sudbury, Hopkinton, and Worcester (see the full map).
Why should we act now?
Acting now saves money in the long run. Massachusetts has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050. Every home built today with fossil fuels and gas appliances must eventually be retrofitted to meet the state mandate, before the equipment has reached the end of its useful life.
Green building standards have been under discussion in Framingham since at least 2022 (see “Green zoning for Framingham?” in our July/August 2022 newsletter). Let’s finally make it happen!!
What you can do:
Write your City Councilor and ask them to vote to pass the Opt-in Specialized Code (see sample email below)
Find your Councilor’s email address here
Don't know who your City Councilor is? Locate your district here
NOTE: In addition to your district councilor, you can contact Framingham’s two at-large City Councilors, Janet Leombruno and George King.
SAMPLE EMAIL
Dear Councilor _______:
I respectfully request that you support passage of the Specialized Building Code in Framingham. If adopted, this opt-in code will help make Framingham eligible for up to $1 million in state grants as a Climate Leader Community and reduce future energy costs for residents and businesses.
The Specialized Code applies only to new construction and involves no expenditure by the city. It adds very minimally to building costs and is compatible with affordable housing.
If passed, the code would require that new buildings in Framingham either be fossil-fuel-free or use fossil fuel systems but be pre-wired for hookups of heat pumps and electric appliances and include solar panels (shaded homes are exempt). Large multifamily buildings would be required to be built to the Passive House energy efficiency standard.
For more information, please see the attached fact sheet provided by Energize Framingham.
More than 50 communities have adopted the Specialized Code, including our neighbors Natick, Ashland, Wayland, Sudbury, and Hopkinton, as well as Worcester. Please vote YES for Framingham’s future when the Specialized Code comes before the City Council!
Thank you for your attention
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
To learn more about the Specialized Code, click the "Steps to Take" tab at the top.
Deep Dive
Steps to Take
MORE ABOUT THE SPECIALIZED BUILDING CODE
What does the Specialized Code do?
The Specialized Code offers builders several options to eliminate or minimize fossil fuels in new homes and buildings:
- Building all-electric homes (back-up fossil fuel generators are still allowed)
- Building homes with fossil fuel heating, but pre-wiring them for future electric hookups (homes larger than 4,000 sq. ft. must also have a renewable energy source such as solar panels; shaded homes under 4,000 sq. ft. are exempted).
- Building “zero energy” buildings meeting the Passive House energy efficiency standard, with extensive insulation and other measures to keep heat inside. (Multifamily buildings over 12,000 sq. ft. must meet this standard.)
- The Code does not impact any retrofits or additions made to existing buildings.
Why do we need the Specialized Code in Framingham?
- It would qualify Framingham for technical support and grants through the state’s Climate Leader Communities program.
- It will help in the fight against climate change: Burning fossil fuels to heat buildings accounts for an estimated 35 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts..
- It will make new housing more affordable through lower monthly energy bills.
- It spares consumers from future costs: To meet our climate goals, buildings built today with fossil fuels will need to be converted to electricity before 2050. It’s much cheaper to build electric or to pre-wire buildings in advance!
- It’s better for our health: Gas stoves and other gas appliances cause 15 percent of cases of asthma in Massachusetts.
- It’s safer: Gas leaks can cause explosions.
Won’t the code’s requirements make housing unaffordable?
No. The Specialized Code’s impacts on upfront construction costs range from reducing costs to increasing them very minimally, if at all – about 1 to 4 percent according to multiple reports. Moreover, building costs are widely expected to go down over time as builders become more familiar with the code and its options. Incentives for builders, through the Mass Save Passive House Incentive Program and some federal programs, such as the 45L New Energy Efficient Home Credit, reduce costs even further.
Energy-efficient construction and affordable housing are not mutually exclusive! In fact, the Specialized Code is already used in affordable housing construction.
- According to Built Environment Plus, affordable housing makes up more than 40 percent of all residential net-zero and net-zero-ready square footage.
- Similarly, according to Passive House Massachusetts, 40 percent of projects in the Mass Save Passive House Incentive Program are documented as low-income affordable housing.
- One third of projects funded by the state’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit were designed with the Passive House standard.
Learn more
View this presentation by Dillan Patel of the Mass DOER and this presentation for building professionals.
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