The City of Scottsdale may not be as green as Denver, Colo., but it is heading in that direction.

The Green Building Program started in 1998 and has rapidly grown in popularity. That said, the requirements have become more stringent, according to the program’s manager Anthony Floyd.

“We raised the bar to go green in the city,” Floyd said. “It was becoming too easy to qualify. The new checklist addresses the new methods and new strategies in the market today.”

The 26-page checklist outlines categories used to qualify a house for going green. The checklist, available on the city’s website, says it is designed for single family-homes, duplexes and multi-family units. Floyd said the rating checklist for multi-family projects is next in line to be updated.

“There are many more apartments and condos coming online,” he said. “We want to be ready to address these higher density communities. This adds a whole other level of strategies to the green world.”

Homebuilders must follow strict guidelines to go green. Such details as the exposure direction a home has and stricter standards for insulation are a small part of the rules. The checklist addresses the site itself, plumbing, roofing, interior and exterior finishes, flooring and design.

Scottsdale has numerous lectures and other events that address green building. Green building lectures are held the first Thursday of each month, while lectures on solar energy take place the third Thursday of each month. Activities are held at the Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Rd. For information, call (480) 312-7080, or visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/greenbuilding.