Local Option – Special Improvement Districts

Note:  In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which has authority over mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, directed these enterprises against purchasing mortgages of homes with a PACE lien due to its senior status above a mortgage. Most residential PACE activity subsided following this directive; however, some residential PACE programs are now operating with loan loss reserve funds, appropriate disclosures, or other protections meant to address FHFA’s concerns. Commercial PACE programs were not directly affected by FHFA’s actions, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not underwrite commercial mortgages. Visit PACENation for more information about PACE financing and a comprehensive list of all PACE programs across the country.

Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing effectively allows property owners to cover the full upfront costs of energy improvements. The amount financed is repaid via a special assessment on the property over a period of years. Nevada has authorized certain local governments to establish such programs, as described below. 

Existing Nevada law authorizes cities and counties to create special financing districts for a variety of projects that “serve a public use and will promote the health, safety, prosperity, security and general welfare of the inhabitants thereof and of the State of Nevada.” The legislation enacted in May 2009 (S.B. 358) added renewable energy and energy efficient technologies to the list of projects eligible for special financing districts.

Though Nevada has this enabling legislation, there are currently no active PACE programs in the state.