Many of the qualities that make Mountainside Village a vibrant neighborhood, also serve to increase our sustainability, and we’re not the only ones who think so! As a result of our efforts, we have been awarded a 2006 Idaho Smart Growth Award, we are a pilot neighborhood for the US Green Building Council’s LEED for Neighborhood Development program, and we are a pilot project for the Greater Yellowstone Business Partnership’s Development Framework.

With features such as walkable streets, bike paths, and a convenient, mixed-use Village Center, Mountainside Village is helping its residents leave their cars at home – decreasing the demand for fossil fuels and reducing pollution, while improving quality of life.

Our ample parks and preserved natural spaces reduce our impact on wildlife habitat and protect our incredible view-shed.

Our on-site farm provides fresh and local flowers and vegetables to our community, reducing our demand for trucked-in produce and chemically treated products.

Our carefully crafted architectural requirements and building regulations ensure that all homes can harvest passive solar energy, that all faucets and toilets are water-efficient, and that landscaping does not introduce invasive species.

Other green initiatives include:
  • A commitment to reduce our landfill
     waste by composting organic
     construction waste, offering a
     community compost pile for
     residential kitchen scraps, and a
     promise to provide community
     recycling facilities as soon
     processing options are available.
  • The creation of Mountainside
     Institute to offer educational
     programs about green building,
     traditional neighborhood design,
     and sustainable living.
  • A commitment to build high-quality,
     green homes, requiring all
     Mountainside Village houses to meet
     ENERGY STAR and LEED for
     Homes requirements.
  • The employment of a full-time
     Director of Sustainability, who is
     available to help homeowners make
     sustainable choices and to
     streamline the green building
     certification process.
  • The "Borrow-a-bike" program, which
     makes extra mountain bikes
     available around the neighborhood
     for short trips and errands that might
     otherwise require a car.