Illinois

Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency

City of Chicago - Green Permit and Green Homes Programs

Last DSIRE Review: 11/26/2012

Program Overview:

State:	Illinois
Incentive Type:	Green Building Incentive
Eligible Efficiency Technologies:	Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building, Green Roof
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Daylighting, Small Hydroelectric
Applicable Sectors:	Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Schools, Institutional
Web Site:	http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bldgs/provdrs/green_pe...

Summary:

The City of Chicago encourages building design, construction and renovation in a manner that provides healthier environments, reduces operating costs and conserves energy and resources through their Green Permit Program. The Chicago Department of Buildings (DOB) Green Permit Program provides developers and owners with an incentive to build green by streamlining the permit process timeline for projects which are designed to maximize indoor air quality and conserve energy and resources.

Green Permit Program Incentives
Projects accepted into the Green Permit Program can receive permits in less than 30 business days or in as little as 15 business days. The number of green building elements included in the project plans and project complexity determines the length of the timeline. In addition, projects which meet the most stringent sustainability guidelines may also qualify for a partial waiver of consultant code review fees, up to $25,000.

Application Procedure
Interested applicants must involve DOB early in the design process. DOB will help to guide the applicant through the process to ensure the shortest permitting process time.

Acceptance into the Green Permit Program is based on a series of requirements that qualifies the project for one of two different Benefit Tiers of green building certification:

Commercial projects must earn certification within the appropriate Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Smaller residential projects must earn a two-star or greater rating under the Chicago Green Homes program.

Both commercial and small residential projects are also required to earn from one to three menu items, or additional green design strategies above and beyond certification prerequisites, in order to be eligible for permitting privileges.

Chicago Green Homes Program

Note: This program is currently suspended.

The Chicago Green Homes program is a checklist-based rating system for measuring a green building’s elements developed by the Chicago Department of Environment. As of May 2010, there were approximately 250 Green Homes enrolled in the program. Training and education materials are available through the Green Homes program free of charge. See the Chicago Green Homes Program Overview for additional information on enrolling your project in the Chicago Green Home program and how to work towards certification.

Contact:

	Carl Byrd City of Chicago Department of Community Development Phone: (312) 742-0456 E-Mail: Carl.Byrd@cityofchicago.org

	Sophie Martinez City of Chicago Department of Buildings 120 N. Racine Chicago, IL 60607 E-Mail: sophie.martinez@cityofchicago.org

Disclaimer: The information presented on the DSIRE web site provides an unofficial overview of financial incentives and other policies. It does not constitute professional tax advice or other professional financial guidance, and it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions or tax decisions, or when executing other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided below each summary to verify that a specific financial incentive or other policy applies to your project.

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