Green Building Incentive Program (GBIP)
The City recognizes that achieving a truly sustainable community rests heavily on public endeavors through everyday practices and private enterprise. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), construction and demolition debris accounts for almost 25% of the State's total Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) stream. In addition, it has been shown through a multitude of studies how building practices and appliance choices can significantly reduce waste and energy consumption. With these principles in mind, City Council adopted Ordinance 2009-22 which created the Green Development Incentive Program. On December 3, 2013 City Council amended the Ordinance (2013-13) and reaffirmed the program by budgeting $10,000 for program incentive reimbursement budget.
For participants interested in Florida Water Star Certification (FWS), incentives are available through the Building Division and also through Utility Capital Impact Fee process. In February 2013, Utility rates considered the FWS Program as a recognized standard to facilitate a onetime reimbursement through an impact fee reeducation process (Resolution 2013-10). The FWS is also a recognized standard for those participants seeking incentives through the building permit process (Ordinance 2011-22).
To effectively stimulate public participation, the strategy of the Green Building Incentive Program is to provide recognition, preference, and cost-savings to participating projects. Program participation is completely voluntary and targets existing and new development activities for residential and commercial industries.
What is the Green Building Incentive Program?
The City of Palm Coast has embraced existing green certification standards to administer and to measure Program criteria. Such standards include those published by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Green Building Initiative (GBI) Green Globes rating system, Green Lodging, Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) standard(s), Florida Friendly Landscaping, Florida Water Star, or standards or elements thereof. Please note that the Florida Building Code's minimum standards and the Unified Land Development Code (Ordinance No. 2008-16) supersedes in event of conflict with program standard(s).
Who is eligible for the Green Building Incentives?
Program participants are considered voluntary "Applicants" and are defined within Section 2(a) of the Incentive Ordinance.
"An owner of real property or authorized agent including, but not limited to, developers, an authorized developer of real property, or an apparently authorized person, contractor, or other legal entity including, but not limited to agents, employees, independent contractors, or others in privity with any of the above."
What types of projects are eligible for the Green Development Program?
Private construction activities that includes the following:
- New residential construction;
- Residential retrofitting/remodeling;
- New commercial/non-residential construction; and
- Existing commercial/non-residential construction;
How do I know that my project may qualify for the Green Development Program?
If your project is pursuing certification from one (1) or more of the referenced green standards, your project is eligible for program incentives.
What types of incentives are construction-based within the Green Development Program?
- Permit Fee: Applicants participating within the Green Building Incentive Program shall receive $300.00 reimbursement for single-family residential and $1,000 for commercial development upon receipt of certification. This fee reduction shall not apply to re-inspection fees.
- Utility Impact Fee: Upon receipt of the St Johns River Water Management District Florida Water Star Certification the Utility Division of the Palm Coast Public Works Department will reimburse 20% of the Capital Facility Fee to the Certificate holder's residential account. Reimbursement of 20% Capital Facility Fee for commercial construction projects to the Certificate holder's account.
- Fast Tracking: Projects participating in the Green Development Program shall be given priority over projects which are not Program projects during site plan review, submitted or resubmitted for review. If projects participate in this incentive, the Applicant shall provide proof of green certification to the City within 180 days of construction completion, as defined by Certificate of Occupancy issue date.
- Certification: The City will provide one optional and no-cost certification service per Applicant specific to the FGBC standards for a new home and new commercial building.
- Recognition: The City will promote the Program Project through recognition on the City web site or by other additional means such as the "Go Green" award.
How do I apply for the incentives?
At development review submittal, the Applicant shall recognize their intent of participating within the City's Green Building Incentive Program. In addition, the City will offer a pre-application meeting option to better facilitate project permitting commitments.
Who should I contact for additional questions?
Building Permit - Construction Based: Building Services Division - (386) 986-3780
City of Palm Coast Utility - (386) 986-2353
City of Palm Coast Planning - (386) 986-2458
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