Local Option - Green Building Incentives

July 15, 2022

Summary

To encourage sustainable building practices, North Carolina law allows all counties and cities to provide reductions or partial rebates for building permit fees. To qualify for a fee reduction, buildings must meet guidelines established by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, the Green Globes program, or another recognized certification program.

SB 1597 of 2008 also granted authority to a few select jurisdictions to provide density bonuses, make adjustments to otherwise applicable development requirements, or provide other incentives to a developer or builder who builds or reconstructs developments which make a significant contribution to the reduction of energy consumption. The local jurisdiction is free to determine their own eligibility criteria based on generally recognized standards including LEED or other national or regional certification programs. Originally limited to just 1 county, 7 cities and 7 towns, this authority was granted to all counties, cities and towns by SB 52 of 2009.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Financial Incentive
State:	North Carolina
Incentive Type:	Green Building Incentive
Web Site:
Administrator:
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Solar - Passive Solar Water Heat Solar Space Heat Solar Photovoltaics Wind (All) Biomass Geothermal Heat Pumps Daylighting Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building Wind (Small) Hydroelectric (Small)
Permit Fee Waiver / Reduction:	Authorized by legislation for green buildings. Actual permit process to be determined by local government.
Density Bonus:	Authorized by legislation for green buildings. Actual density requirements to be determined by local government.

Authorities

Name:	N.C. Gen. Stat. § 153A-340
Date Enacted:	08/19/2007
Effective Date:	08/19/2007

Name:	N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160A-381
Date Enacted:	08/19/2007
Effective Date:	08/19/2007

Name:	N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160A-383.4
Date Enacted:	06/30/2008
Effective Date:	06/30/2008

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.