Helpful tips for anyone applying for a Green Permit: Menu Items

Green Permit Menu Items

Exceptional Energy Performance
Energy efficiency provides long-term financial savings to the owner, reduces strain on energy supply infrastructure, and reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

For LEED projects, earn a minimum of 4 points under EAc1, Optimize Energy Performance.

For Chicago Green Homes projects, earn a minimum of 200 points within the Energy Efficiency category.

Green Roof
Green roofs improve the urban environment by combating the urban heat island, reducing stormwater runoff, and reducing the energy use of the building beneath.

For projects with no other green roof requirement, provide 50% green roof. For projects with a green roof required by Department of Planning and Development, add 25% to the DPD green roof requirement.

Renewable Energy
On-site renewable energy generation provides long-term cost savings and reduces the demand on city electrical distribution infrastructure. Renewable energy also eliminates carbon dioxide emissions associated with conventional energy sources. Renewable energy includes solar hot water and solar electric, wind, biomass, and biogas.

Minimum 1% of total annual energy use provided from on-site renewable sources.

Extra Affordability
Affordable housing is a critical need in Chicago. Many market-rate developments throughout the city include affordable units and benefit from a range of buyers shopping their development, in addition to receiving assistance from the Department of Housing to market the units.

Provide 100% of residential units qualifying as affordable housing per Chicago Department of Housing standards.

Transit-Oriented & Difficult to Develop Areas (counts as 2 menu items; must meet ALL criteria) The City has a wealth of development opportunities in neighborhoods that have not traditionally attracted significant investment. These areas represent untapped markets that would benefit from housing development.

Transit-oriented development promotes alternatives to the private auto by creating most everyday needs within walking distance. This approach fosters pedestrian friendly neighborhoods, helps reduce traffic congestion and environmental degradation, and reduces household expenses.

Locate project within specified census tracts (e.g. low/mod CDBG guidelines or tax credit areas) AND Locate mixed-use developments within a ¼ mile of transit at a minimum of 30 dwelling units per acre or 3 FAR for all types of land uses. AND Use maximum parking reduction provisions permitted by the Chicago Zoning Ordinance for developments within 600’ of transit. AND Provide on site car share program for developments of 100 units or more.

Natural Ventilation
Mechanical ventilation systems typically consume 30% or more of a building’s total energy use. Providing ventilation through windows and other building openings can eliminate this energy use for a significant portion of the year. In addition, natural ventilation provides a connection to the outdoors, improving the indoor environment.

Design natural or hybrid ventilation systems for minimum of 50% of regularly occupied areas.

Exceptional Water Management
Reducing water consumption and stormwater runoff reduces demand on city infrastructure and preserves Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.

1. Provide water efficient fixtures sufficient to meet requirements for LEED credit WEc3.1 AND
2A. Projects that are regulated by the stormwater management ordinance must provide evidence of a 50% reduction of impervious area from a baseline condition (as defined by ordinance).
OR
Retain 0.75 inches of stormwater from the proposed impervious area (up from 0.5").
2B. Projects that are not regulated by the stormwater management ordinance must demonstrate a 100% increase in the zoning open space requirement
OR
reduce the impervious site conditions from existing baseline by 50%.

Exceptional Bike Parking
For commercial or institutional buildings, provide a locked, indoor bicycle parking room with racks for 10% or more of all building users (measured at peak periods). The room must be located on the ground floor or else conveniently accessed by a ramp or elevator. The room must include racks which allow the frame and a wheel of each bicycle to be securely locked the rack with a U-lock. In buildings over 100,000 square feet, the room must include a security camera; a bicycle work stand; a full set of bicycle repair tools; an air pump; a vending machine stocked with patch kits, inner tubes, drinks and energy bars. All commercial or institutional buildings must provide on-site showers and changing facilities, with lockers, for 1% of Full-Time Equivalent occupants.
OR
For residential buildings, provide a bike room, as specified above, for 30% or more building occupants in lieu of shower/changing facilities. AND, for all buildings, provide outdoor bicycle racks for 2% or more of all building users, located within 100 feet of the main building entrance. The racks must allow the frame and a wheel of each bicycle to be securely locked to the rack with a U-lock. The racks must be well lit and sheltered from the elements by a canopy or overhang.

Excess LEED Certification
Achieve one level of LEED certification higher than required by the matrix (e.g. gold rather than silver).

Excess Chicago Green Homes
Where a two-star rating is required, achieve a Chicago Green Homes three-star rating.

Innovation
Other innovative design strategies will be considered on their merits. Prior review by DOB is required. Note that this is not necessarily the same as the LEED Innovation in Design credit.

Green Permit Related Items:

• Green Permit Process Flow Chart