Receive incentives by committing to LEED

To maximize cost-effectiveness you'll want to incorporate sustainable building goals right from the start.

• The Density Bonus Incentive - On April 12, 2006, Mayor Nickels signed new downtown zoning legislation updating rules for the central office core and adjoining areas, including Denny Triangle and a portion of Belltown. Changes in the new regulations were made to provide greater heights and/or greater floor area for commercial and residential buildings. To gain greater height or density, projects must achieve a LEED™ Silver rating or higher, as well as contribute to affordable housing and other public amenities. The zoning changes also offer greater transferable development rights for historic structures.
  
• FREE Platinum Certifications Beginning January 1, 2007, USGBC is challenging the building industry to put them out of business: USGBC will fully rebate the certification fees for any project that earns LEED Platinum certification. Platinum buildings are highly energy and resource efficient; provide superior indoor comfort for the building's occupants; and dramatically reduce CO2 emissions, a primary cause of global climate change. Help USGBC build a healthy, sustainable, and prosperous future by raising your building's performance to Platinum, and they'll send you a check with your LEED plaque. To take advantage of this offer, please email USGBC at leedinfo@usgbc.org.
  
• FREE LEED for Existing Buildings Registration Making the jump from new building design to ongoing operations is easier than ever. Effective January 1, 2007, LEED for Existing Buildings registration is free for all certified LEED for New Construction and LEED for Core and Shell buildings. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole building operations and maintenance practices, and will maximize your building's performance over time ensuring a high return on your investment.  You'll get instant access to the LEED-Online letter templates to get started on the LEED for Existing Buildings certification process. To take advantage of this offer, please email USGBC at leed-eb@usgbc.org.
  
• King County's LEED incentive - These LEED grants provide funding to projects outside the City of Seattle, but built within King County that meet stringent criteria for resource conservation. Grants are funded through the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Solid Waste Division.

Improve the environmental and economic performance of your building project with technical assistance from:

• Resource Venture
• BetterBricks

Increase Construction Recycling & Reuse Materials

Our region's strong infrastructure for reusing and recycling allows construction projects to recycle more than 75% of their waste.  Learn how to increase your recycling rate--both during construction and when your building is occupied--and get recognized for it:

• "Construction Works" Program: Free assistance and recognition for builders who recycle, reduce waste and use recycled-content building materials
• Waste Prevention & Recycling:  How to get started
• Construction Waste Management
• Co-Mingled and Source-Separated Recycling: Two options for on-site recycling
• Deconstruction:  Systematic disassembly of a building as a complement to demolition
• Seattle Public Utilities Commercial Recycling: Program website and contact information

Find recycled-content products and materials with help from:

• Resource Venture: Guide to buying recycled products
• Guide to Salvage & Deconstruction Services

You can also re-use building materials--cabinets, doors, glass, hardware/fixtures, insulation, paint and much more--and exchange these items online with the:

• King County's Online Materials Exchange 

Maximize Energy Efficiency

Seattle City Light energy conservation programs range from rebates for conservation to strategies and technologies that will help you reduce energy use and optimize your building's performance.

• BUILT SMART Program: Seattle City Light’s BUILT SMARTSM buildings are designed and built to conserve resources while providing a healthy, comfortable living environment. From recycling building materials during construction to energy-friendly design of living units, BUILT SMART apartments and condominiums give you a home that incorporates resource conservation to provide the maximum in cost-efficient comfort. BUILT SMART buildings operate more efficiently and save you and your tenants money while preserving natural resources. Key features of a BUILT SMART building are extra insulation in floors, walls and ceilings, energy-saving windows, long-lasting, energy-efficient lighting, energy-efficient water heaters, healthy ventilation and high-efficiency thermostats, and energy-efficient water heaters and clothes washers.
• King County/Seattle Built Green®: The King County/Seattle Built Green® incentive provides funding for single-family, townhome, and multi-family residential and community development projects to help offset the cost of certifying and designing innovative green projects throughout Seattle and King County. Eligible projects may receive up to $20,000. Grants are offered twice a year. Grants are funded through the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Water and Land Resource Division and Seattle Public Utilities. For more information go to: http://www.builtgreen.net/incentive.html.
• Multifamily Weatherization: New rebate program for 2006! Seattle City Light's Multifamily Weatherization Program is changing to serve you better. It still offers the same great financial incentives for upgraded windows, lighting and insulation, but it's now a rebate program. That means the incentive goes directly to you, the building owner, instead of to the contractor.
• Green Power Options: City Light offers customers several options to increase the supply of renewable energy, or "green power". Increased demand for renewable energy resources in the Northwest, including wind and solar, helps preserve a high quality environment and spurs our regional economy. Buy green power for a portion of your electricity through City Light's Green-up Program. Or pay a little more on your bill to support renewable energy demonstrations, including local solar electricity projects, through City Light's Green Power Program.

Conserve Water

Enhance productivity and see substantial savings on your utility bills with Water Smart Technology Program, a water conservation program for regional commercial, industrial and institutional customers. Brought to you by local water providers in the Saving Water Partnership, including Seattle Public Utilities, the program provides financial assistance for both technical studies and project installation that makes it cost-effective to realize the benefits of water-efficient technologies. It offers an array of financial incentives for qualified water conservation projects completed by small and large businesses alike, which often reduce participant paybacks from over three years to two years or less. The program also offers technical information on water-efficient technologies, bill analysis, on-site water audits, life cycle cost analysis, free brochures and speaking engagements on water conservation, water-efficient irrigation information, and end-use metering.

The Saving Water Partnership, sponsored by a consortium of 18 local water utilities, provides education and resources for saving water and lowering utility bills.

Protect Site & Restore Urban Forests

Financial assistance and resources to help you protect or enhance the local watershed, salmon habitat and urban forest, plus technical assistance for better landscape design and maintenance choices:

• King County Department of Natural Resources 
• Seattle Public Utilities Conservation Programs
• WaterWorks Grants: Up to $50,000 in grant funds available to community projects that protect or improve watersheds, streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands and tidewater in King County.
• Urban Reforestation and Habitat Restoration Grant Fund: Grants available to volunteer groups, nonprofits, and government agencies for reforestation activities within King County's Urban Growth Boundary.
• Natural Landscaping Site and Landscape Technical Assistance: Technical assistance available to commercial customers of Seattle Public Utilities.
• Department of Neighborhoods Tree Fund 
• Community Salmon Fund: Competitive funds for projects that support habitat protection and restoration aimed at salmon recovery in the Central Puget Sound Region.
• Community Environmental Grants:  Matching funds and technical assistance available to eligible community projects highlighting environmental protection/restoration and environmental justice, from the Puget Sound Urban Resources Partnership.
• Funding Sources for Watershed Stewardship Projects:  A list maintained by King County with some sources of funding for site enhancements resulting in watershed protection.

Preserve Historic Buildings

Preserve the character and architecture of historic buildings with financial assistance and resources from:

• Seattle Historic Preservation 

Low interest loans and grants are available for rehabilitating or weatherizing housing property that help preserve or develop low-income and affordable housing.

• Office of Housing

Foster Community Development

Take advantage of grants that fund a variety of community projects, ranging from protecting clean water to neighborhood planning. Each grant program has a specific focus (e.g., the Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods assists communities with a broad array of neighborhood-initiated improvement, organizing or planning projects).

• Neighborhood Matching Fund Program 
• Grant Central Station    

Questions?