Builders in Dallas, Texas, are now required to meet one of several green-building standards for all residential and commercial projects.

Under terms of a resolution adopted in 2008, the requirement was completely implemented on Oct. 1, 2013. Builders on residential projects will have to meet the minimum requirements of LEED for Homes, GreenBuilt Texas, or the National Green Building Standard. Water use must be reduced by 20%.

Alternatively, according to a summary posted online by the city, builders will have to meet a number or prescriptive requirements for energy and water efficiency, storm water management, indoor air quality, and heat island mitigation.

According to a post at the Environmental News Network, Dallas is one of the first major U.S. cities to implement a comprehensive green building requirement for both residential and commercial building.

But Dallas is by no means alone. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says there are 275 cities, counties, tribes, and states that have adopted their own building codes or programs to enhance environmental or health standards. The agency lists a sampling of them at its web site.