West Florida and it’s Green Building Efforts

This Press Release was created by The Planning and Zoning Committee of St. Petersburg, Florida. St. Pete is committed to sustainable practices across the city. Green buildings set the standard for sustainable design and construction, prioritizing a triple bottom line of planet, people, and profit.

Green buildings:

• Consume less energy and potable water
• Are designed for passive energy conservation
• Reduce the use of building materials
• Protect natural resources on site
• Use low-impact materials
• Maximize longevity and durability
• Minimize waste
• Recycle existing buildings

Incentives & Rebates

The City of St. Petersburg offers incentives to green construction of commercial and residential structures.

GREEN BUILDINGS

Commercial and residential construction permit applications approved after February 22, 2007 are eligible for a partial refund of permit fees if the structure constructed is certified as a green structure. For residential construction, the structure must satisfy all the requirements of the current Green Home Designation Standard of the Florida Green Building Coalition. Upon receipt of sufficient evidence of this certification of the structure, the City will refund $300.00 of the permit fee paid. For commercial construction, the structure must satisfy all the requirements of the most current USGBC LEED standard. Upon receipt of sufficient evidence of this certification of the structure, the City will refund $1,000.00 of the permit fee paid. For development of vacant land of one acre or more, the structures and site must satisfy all the requirements of the most current USGBC LEED standard. Upon receipt of sufficient evidence of this certification of the structures and site, the City will refund $2,500.00 of the permit fee paid. City Code, Section 12-3, Ordinance 812-G

ST. AUGUSTINE TURF REDUCTION

Commercial and residential construction permit applications approved after August 6, 2009 are eligible for a partial refund of the permit fees if the landscaping as installed does not include any St. Augustine turf: (1) For new one and two unit family residential construction, the City will refund $150 of the permit fee paid; (2) For commercial and multifamily residential construction, the City will refund $300 of the permit fee paid; (3) The determination of the eligibility for the refund shall be made upon the final inspection of the City. City Code, Section 16.40.060.1, Ordinance 934-G

Policies

The Sustainability & Resiliency of City Facilities Ordinance No. 359-H holds the City to the highest standards of sustainable and resilient facilities. 

• New construction or substantial modification of City buildings 5,000 sf or more must be certified by a third party to achieve LEED Gold or higher.   
• City infrastructure projects costing $2 million or more must be certified by a third party to achieve Envision Gold or higher.
• All City buildings and projects must follow LEED or Envision guidance if certification is not required.
• All City projects must provide documentation that demonstrates consideration of the most recent regional best available science related to sea level rise, climate effects, and overall resilience.
• Mayor or Mayor designee may exempt a project from certification based on a narrow set of criteria outlined in ordinance.
• Mayor or Mayor designee may approve an alternative certification that maintains the overall intent of the ordinance or otherwise best suits the project.

ORGANIZATIONS

• U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)  
  The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a not-for-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building practices. USGBC is composed of more than 15,000 organizations from across the building industry that are working to advance structures that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. Members include building owners and end-users, real estate developers, facility managers, architects, designers, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, product and building system manufacturers, government agencies and nonprofits.  The USGBC also manages the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program for green buildings.
• Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the USGBC
  The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the USGBC is the official local chapter of the nation U.S. Green Building Council.
• Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC)  
  The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) is a not-for-profit Florida corporation committed to expanding sustainable building practices. The organization’s mission is “to provide a statewide green building program that defines, promotes, and encourages sustainable efforts with environmental and economic benefits.”

LINKS

• State of Florida: MyFlorida Green Building  
  This website was developed and is maintained by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in partnership with the Florida Building Commission and the Department of Community Affairs to promote energy efficiency and the benefits of building green.
• State of Florida: Green Building Links
  Resources collected by FSEC staff in maintaining the MyFlorida Green Building website.
• USGBC: Green Building Links  
  Resources collected by USGBC staff and members to facilitate green building research.
• FGBC: Green Building Links  
  Resources collected by FGBC staff and members to facilitate green building research.

John Caravella Esq., is a construction attorney and formerly practicing project architect at The Law Office of John Caravella, P.C., representing architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, and owners in all phases of contract preparation, litigation, and arbitration across New York and Florida. He also serves as an arbitrator to the American Arbitration Association Construction Industry Panel. Mr. Caravella can be reached by email: [email protected] or (631) 608-1346.