B4.5 Permitting incentives *
Offer streamlined permitting, lower fees, or other incentives for projects that meet green building certification standards.
Washington State’s ShiftZero Coalition has developed a substantial Zero Net Carbon Policy Toolkit for local governments; it includes guidance on which types of incentives are effective in different contexts, and draft legislation.
The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group’s Knowledge Hub, which curates “cutting-edge insights and practical resources from leading climate cities,” has a section on ways to encourage and support building sector stakeholders to raise ambition on energy performance.
The City of Vancouver Zero Emissions Building Catalyst Policy provides the Director of Planning discretion to vary policies or guidelines, relax regulations (such as set-backs), or increase floor area ratios for zero emissions multifamily buildings. The policy applies to buildings “designed for certification under the Passive House standard or the Zero Energy standard set by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI).” The City Council approved the policy in May 2018 to help builders and developers begin to meet the requirements for zero emission buildings set in the Zero Emission Building Plan.
Permitting Incentives
Seattle – Green Building Standard and permitting incentives
The green building standards are required to gain additional height, floor area or density. Other requirements may apply depending on the zone. Meeting the Standard may also provide more benefits like faster permitting or other assistance…
Kirkland – Priority permit review for new green homes
Shoreline’s Deep Green Incentive program offers fee reductions, expedited review, and potential alterations in code requirements to projects that meet high efficiency standards.
Land Use Incentives and Density Bonuses
- Redmond Zoning Code Ch. 21.67 – Green Building and Green Infrastructure Incentive Program (GBP).
- Bainbridge Island’s Housing Design Demonstration Program offers a 1.5x and 2.5x density bonus to green-certified affordable housing projects; more than 250 new homes have been green buiding certified under the program.
- Auburn Municipal Code Ch. 18.49 – Flexible Development Alternatives – LEED certification is a bonus feature; see Flexible Development Matrices for Residential and Mixed Use in Sec.18.49.020(C) and §18.49.030(C)
- Bellevue Land Use Code Part 20.30D – Planned Unit Development (See Section 20.30D.160(B) – Built Green certification a conservation design factor.)
- Ellensburg Municipal Code Ch. 15.330 – Density Bonus Incentives – Energy efficient construction (LEED) or similar certification is a density bonus element.
- Everett Zoning Code Sec. 22.020(E)(1)(i) – LEED silver rating is a bonus design element in the B-3 zone.
- Newcastle Municipal Code Sec. 18.36.040(E)(1)(i) – Green Building floor area ratio incentive.
PSE Commercial Green Building Incentives
PSE offers technical support and a range of grants covering up to 100% of the additional costs for measures that increase the efficiency of new commercial construction beyond the requirements of the State Energy Code.