Reference Guide - Indian River County

SUGGESTED DOCUMENTATION:
Provide copy of resolution, ordinance, or other documentation that indicates how standard has
been made part of official city/county green building program. If the program contains an
incentive, provide details and conditions of incentive, along with approximate dollar value per
applicant.
BENEFIT:
Adopting a green building standard as an official program for the city/county shows the
community that the building department endorses the standard. Encouraging participation reaps
benefits for the community at large. Primary benefits are health, comfort, safety, and
affordability for occupants, as well as environmental protection and natural resource
management. Including an incentive shows the community that the local government strongly
encourages participation from the general public.
RESOURCES:
City of Gainesville Green Building Program
http://library.municode.com/gateway.dll/FL1/florida1/13640/13675/13677?f=templates&fn=defa
ult.htm
Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC)
http://www.floridagreenbuilding.org
US Green Building Council (USGBC LEED)
http://www.usgbc.org
Florida Home Energy Ratings
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/fyh/ratings/
Credit 3: Preserve/enhance native habitat and natural resources.
REQUIREMENT:
a) Require mitigation for consumption of natural habitat or resources. (1 points per land type –
maximum 5 points)
b) Enact and enforce a tree preservation or land-clearing ordinance. (1 point)
c) Regulate impervious parking surfaces. (1 point)
d) Enact a septic system replacement ordinance. (1 point)
APPROACH:
a) When native habitat or other ecologically significant lands such as wetland, agricultural land,
high water recharge area, wildlife corridor, etc. is consumed for development, require
mitigation through purchase and maintenance of similar amount of adjacent land with similar
significance. If mitigation land exceeds 50 acres, require an individual be dedicated to
ensuring successful preservation during development. If mitigation land exceeds 1,000 acres,
require the developer to retain the position for at least 10 years. Alternatively, require the
project to comply with an appropriate Florida Green Building Coalition standard.
b) Tree preservation/land clearing ordinance can be in form of protection, mitigation, canopy
continuity, or % shading requirements. Must require a tree survey prior to any land clearing,
and must include financial penalty for removal of trees in addition to planting of new trees.
Florida Green Local Government Standard – Copyright Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. 2004, 2005 R11