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Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement's Green Permit Rebate Program
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Promoting energy conservation and resource management through sustainable building practices.
Mecklenburg County is projected to have a 50% population increase in the next 25 years. The County has adopted the 2015 Community Vision to protect our natural resources. To achieve this goal, the County must work with the development community to undertake growth in a sustainable manner. Following the 2006 Building Development Summit in Charlotte, the Building Development Commission (BDC) along side of Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement proposed the language adopted in SL 2007-381 as a means to implement a sustainable design fee rebate program. Our intent is to encourage building projects and practices that support development projects that minimize impact on our natural resources through the use of environmentally responsible certification programs such as LEED & Green Globes.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance and energy efficient green buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, conservation of materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. The Green Globes Program accredited through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and sponsored by Green Building Initiative is similar to LEED and also accepted under this program.
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How Our Program Works:
Prior to the Certificate of Occupancy being issued, the Project Owner registers for this program by submitting an application to Code Enforcement. Upon receipt of the application, the Department will list that project in pending status. Upon achieving either LEED or Green Globes certification, the Owner will submit the certification form to Code Enforcement.
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Upon receipt we will verify:
- the project qualifies for the program; and
- the certification is valid, and conforms to the program; and
- the application was received prior to the issuing of the Certificate of Occupancy; and
- the project has a valid Certificate of Occupancy; and
- the program has enough money left in the fund to provide the full rebate for that year.
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Sustainable Design basis fee modification: provides a rebate of up to 25% of the Net Permit Fee to a maximum of $100,000 for projects on the following scale:
- 10% rebate to a maximum of $50,000 for LEED Certified or One Green Globe; or
- 15% rebate to a maximum of $60,000 for LEED Silver or Two Green Globes; or
- 20% rebate to a maximum of $75,000 for LEED Gold or Three Green Globes; or
- 25% rebate to a maximum of $100,000 for LEED Platinum or Four Green Globes
* Program Year Ends June 30, 2009
As a condition of this fee rebate, all Project Owners must agree to the use of their project name and images for the promotional purposes.
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