Green Building

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sustainable Building design

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.