Local Option – Building Permit Fee Waivers for Renewable Energy Projects

Program Overview

Implementing Sector State
Category Regulatory Policy
State Connecticut
Incentive Type Solar/Wind Permitting Standards
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies
  • Solar Photovoltaics
  • Wind (All)
  • Biomass
  • Hydroelectric
  • Fuel Cells using Non-Renewable Fuels
  • Landfill Gas
  • Tidal
  • Wave
  • Ocean Thermal
  • Wind (Small)
  • Hydroelectric (Small)
  • Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels
Applicable Sectors
  • Commercial
  • Construction
  • Industrial
  • Local Government
  • Nonprofit
  • Residential
  • Schools
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Installers/Contractors
  • Tribal Government
  • Agricultural
  • Multifamily Residential
  • Institutional

Summary

As of July 2011, Connecticut authorizes municipalities to pass a local ordinance to exempt “Class I” renewable energy projects from paying building permit fees. Class I renewable energy projects include energy derived from solar power, wind power, fuel cells (using renewable or non-renewable fuels), methane gas from landfills, ocean thermal power, wave or tidal power, low-emission advanced renewable energy conversion technologies, certain newer run-of-the-river hydropower facilities not exceeding five megawatts (MW) in capacity, and sustainable biomass facilities. (Emissions limits apply to electricity generated by sustainable biomass facilities.)

Public Act 15-194 effective October 1st 2015, requires each municipality to incorporate residential solar photovoltaic systems on its building permit application process. The municipalities are allowed to waive the permit application fee for such systems. 

 

Authorities

Name Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-263
Date Enacted 07/01/2011
Effective Date 07/01/2011
Name Public Act 15-194
Date Enacted 06/16/2015
Effective Date 10/01/2015