At various steps leading up to when a resident or builder secures a building permit, cities can provide green building information sheets, building tips, checklists, case studies, lists of contractors who have built certified green buildings, information on utility rebate and other financing programs, or green building plan review.
The WELL Building Standard is a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and wellbeing, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. Fitwel, created by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a related standard designed for commercial interiors and multi-tenant and single-tenant buildings. Fitwel has twelve sections: location, building access, outdoor spaces, entrances and ground floor, stairwells, indoor environment, workspaces, shared spaces, water supply, cafeterias and prepared food retail, vending machines and snack bars, and emergency procedures.
Use the International Dark-Sky AssociationLighting Ordinancesguide to promote reduced/smarter outdoor lighting. See the GreenStep Dark Skies best practices for more.
See guidance on increasing EV charging in cities from Drive Electric Minnesota.
City staff informs applicants of green building practices and resources; information on installing conduit for eventual electric vehicle charging made available.
All building permit applicants receive green building information and links to web resources, as well as references to local resources such as certified green builders; city EV charger standards established and shared.
Green building information offered to all applicants along with specific suggestions tailored to applications; installation of EV chargers listed as a consideration in city grants of PUD status, CUPs, rezonings.
Who's doing it
Burnsville - 3 star
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City staff mentions green building resources informally to applicants. The City also let applicants know that they have two green building guides available on our website, as this is more sustainable then handing out information sheets.
Some applications have specific green suggestions tied to their permit, if appropriate.
In November of 2021, Edina City Council adopted the Sustainable Buildings Policy, which became effective on April 1st, 2022. In this Policy, in part of the 'Edina Overlay', applicable new construction and major renovations are required to meet electric vehicle charging capability for at least 15% of parking stalls.
As part of Fridley's Partners in Energy program, informational sheets were developed on how to integrate energy efficiency into commercial and residential renovations. These are available at the front desk, on the City's permit page, and are distributed during meetings with property owners/developers during the City's development review committee.
During the building development review process, City staff make it clear through both oral and written directives that they will evaluate proposals based on the applicable goals and objectives in the Comprehensive Plan including the City's adopted sustainability goal (ch. 4): “Emphasizing sustainability as a measure to ensure the future economic, environmental and social health of the community.”
Energy code pamphlet with building code application. Shoreview Home Energy Improvement Loan information available online and at building permit counter.
City Environmental Quality Committee reviews all new development plans at regular monthly meetings and suggest green building practices to implement.
Currently, the city of Maplewood includes green building practices suggestions into its building code. They are finalizing the ICC700 Green building standard which will be integrated into official city code once complete. The city will work on making information available about the cost and energy savings available through various program during the building permit processes required by the city. The goal is to make building a home to the ICC700 code adopted by the city a standard throughout other construction as well.
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Marshall Municipal Utilities offers an ENERGY STAR New Homes program which provides rebates for ENERGY STAR qualification. Conservation, rebate and energy efficiency information is sent out to new building permit holders.
The City provides assistance to businesses who would like to integrate EV charges into their businesses. In 2021, Coborn's Grocery and City Hall became the first businesses that provided EV charging stations for customers/citizens to use.
The City created an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Permitting Checklist which is available on the City website. This permitting checklist aims to aid in the installation of EV supply equipment and provide transparency to the process.
