Northbrook rebates permit fees for LEED buildings

The Village of Northbrook has a great incentive program for green building. to promote Green building techniques in public and private sector construction projects, they are giving rebates for LEED-certified buildings.

Northbrook uses the LEED rating system to distinguish different levels of sustainability in construction projects. In turn, for building green, there is a rebate for Covered Permit Fees (permits issued by Northbrook’s Building & Development Department for new buildings, additions, demolitions, alterations and site work) based on the LEED rating of the project.

LEED Certification

Rating Permit Fee Rebate
Certified 10%
Silver 20%
Gold 30%
Platinum 40%

Bonus: if you’re one of the first LEED-certified buildings in a property class, the permit fee is completely waived!

So builders, what are you waiting for? Here is a link to Northbrook’s Green page, where Green Building Incentives are covered. Or click here to view the full green building incentive policy.

Tour: Gut Rehab LEED Home and Green Garage

Tour a home going through a green gut-rehab on January 22. Located in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago, this LEED for Homes Registered project is resusing as much of the original 1890s structure as possible. The gut-rehab project is targetting LEED Platinum, and includes a Green Garage with a solar-powered awning providing power to the construction team. Learn more about this building at the project web site.

Chicago LEED for Homes Gut Rehab and Green Garage

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LEED Homeowners: Save 5% on Green Home Insurance

There are two types of green insurance policies for homeowners.

One covers buildings that already meet stringent efficiency and sustainability standards. The other offers the option to replace any losses incurred on the property with more environmentally sensitive materials.
Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. of Novato, Calif., was one of the first companies to introduce homeowners policies that feed into consumer desire to make homes more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable. For people who already own LEED-certified homes, Fireman’s offers a 5-percent discount off regular annual insurance premiums, saving homeowners around $100 per year. Read more