A proposed ordinance requiring large, privately built commercial and residential developments to use green practices — including reducing energy and water use — is expected to be passed by the city council within a month.

The ordinance, which was passed by two city council committees on Friday, dictates that private projects that surpass 50,000 square feet need to incorporate the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) checklist into building plans to meet a “standard of sustainability.”

LEED standards include possible credits from green cleaning.

A number of large developers and building-related organizations support the ordinance, which also would expedite permits to developers who build to the higher LEED Silver standard.

A dozen other cities, including Boston and San Francisco, have extended green building requirements to the private sector, but L.A. would be the largest city to do so.

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