The new ordinance, which is less stringent than a similar measure thatis under consideration in San Francisco, applies to existingbuildings under certain conditions in redevelopment projects, andit outlines a host of other requirements for builders. Among theseis the requirement that the project team must include aLEED-accredited professional. The new standards will take effect onNov. 1 this year for commercial projects and for high-riseresidential development, and on May 1, 2009 for low-riseresidential projects.

With L.A.'s adoption of the ordinance, the number of USmunicipalities that have enacted green building rules is probablyat least 120, according to Peter Belisle, Los Angeles-basedpresident of project and development services for Jones LangLaSalle, who tells GlobeSt.com that the number is growing steadily.Belisle observes that the adoption of the green building ordinancesis unusual if not unique in that it has the support both of thosewho are enacting it and those who must abide by the rules.

"Many of the other types of measures that have come alongthrough the years, such as the ADA (Americans With Disabilities)act and certain other types of regulations, were almost purelyregulatory and usually were surrounded by some controversy,"Belisle explains. "This time around, a lot of the building ownersand others in the (commercial real estate ) industry are out fronton this rather than having it pushed on them by theregulators."