Solar & Battery Regulation & Incentive Programs

City of Chicago - Green Building Permit Programs

Program Overview


Category:
Financial Incentive
Program Type:
Green Building Incentive
Implementing Sector:
Local
State:
Illinois
Eligible Storage Technologies:
Solar - Passive, Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Photovoltaics, Wind (All), Biomass, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Daylighting, Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building, Yes; specific technologies not identified, Wind (Small), Hydroelectric (Small)
Website:
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bldgs/provdrs/green_permit.html
Permit Fee Waiver / Reduction:
50% of Building Permit Fee amount up to $25,000. Varies by project type and sector.
Expedited Permitting Process:
Goal is less than 30 business days. Varies by project type and sector.
Density Bonus:
Not applicable
Administrator:
Chicago Center for Green Technology
Applicable Sectors:
Commercial, Industrial, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, Multifamily Residential, Institutional
Last Updated:
12/17/2015

Eligibility Criteria

EligibilitySectorsTechnologies
max $25000.0000
Commercial
Industrial
Nonprofit
Residential
Schools
Multifamily Residential
Institutional
Solar - Passive
Solar Water Heat
Solar Space Heat
Solar Photovoltaics
Wind (All)
Biomass
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Daylighting
Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building
Other EE
Wind (Small)
Hydroelectric (Small)

Summary

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.

The DOB offers two Green Permit Programs for projects that include green elements: the Green Permit Benefit Tier Program and the Green Elements Permit Program. The Green Permit Benefit Tier Program offers qualifying projects an expedited permit process and possible reduction of permit fees. The Green Elements Permit Program also offers projects with green elements (geothermal systems, green roofs, solar photovoltaic systems, rainwater harvesting systems, solar thermal panels and wind turbines) a priority review process.

Green Benefit Tier Permit Process

Projects meeting the following criteria are eligible for the Green Benefit Tier Permit Process:

  • Commercial projects must earn certification within the LEED or Green Globes rating systems.
  • Residential projects must earn certification under LEED for Homes or Green Globes rating systems.

All projects must implement green strategies or green technologies to receive incentives. See the above website for more details on the menu of options available.

Green Elements Permit Process

Projects consisting solely of green roof, renewable energy equipment, rainwater harvesting, or geothermal installations are required to submit a permit application to the Green Permit Program Project Administrator for proecessing. 

Incentives

Projects accepted into the Green Permit Program can receive permits in fewer than 30 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.


Authorities

NameEnacted DateEffective DateExpired Date
Green Permit Program Benefit Tier Structure