Cerritos Green Incentives
Updated June 13, 2019
As an incentive for developers, residents, contractors, architects, and property owners, the City provides incentives for building green. All green development projects that receive an incentive must be in compliance with Cerritos Municipal Code requirements. Incentives provided include the following:
Incentives for Existing Residential | Incentives for Commercial, Industrial and New Residential | Green Cerritos Recognition Program
Incentives for Existing Residential
The City of Cerritos Department of Community Development will waive the applicable building permit and plan check fees directly associated with the installation of the following green elements:
- ENERGY STAR® air conditioners that meet the following:
- split system; SEER rating greater than or equal to 16
- package system; SEER rating greater than or equal to 14
- ENERGY STAR® water heaters
- Electric vehicle charging stations
Please note that fees may only be waived up to a maximum of $1,000. Any building permit or plan check fees in excess of $1,000 must be paid to the Building and Safety Division in order to receive applicable fee waivers.
Homeowners seeking a green incentive fee waiver should contact the Department of Community Development at Cerritos City Hall located at 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, CA 90703. Upon applying for the necessary building permit associated with each activity, staff will review the proposed construction or rehabilitation activity to determine eligibility. Please note that staff may request additional information, including product manufacturer details and/or specifications regarding a specific product. For additional questions, please contact the Department of Community Development at (562) 916-1201.
Green Cerritos Fee Waiver Application – Existing Residential (PDF)
Incentives for Commercial, Industrial and New Residential
The City of Cerritos Department of Community Development offers the following incentives for commercial, industrial, and new residential green construction receiving LEED certification:
Accelerated Plan Approval
The City of Cerritos Department of Community Development offers accelerated plan approval for projects that utilize green building techniques and that will be LEED certified. These green projects will receive priority in the processing of applicable entitlements.
Fee Waivers
The City of Cerritos Department of Community Development will waive the applicable City development and entitlement fees for green construction or rehabilitation projects that will be LEED certified based on a tiered incentive system. The fee waiver tiered system is designed as follows:
| Tier | LEED Project Classification | % of Fees to be Waived |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | LEED Certified |
40% |
| Tier 2 | LEED Silver |
60% |
| Tier 3 | LEED Gold |
80% |
| Tier 4 | LEED Platinum |
100% |
Development and entitlement fees that may be waived include the following:
- Amendment to the Development Code
- Amendment to the General Plan
- Variance
- Conditional Use Permit
- Precise Plan
- Tentative Map, Subdivision and Parcel Map (Please note that the applicant shall be required to pay associated costs with the recordation of a tentative map, subdivision or parcel map.)
Costs associated with County building permits, public improvement fees, and/or the preparation of environmental documents will not be waived, and must be paid at the applicant's expense.
Please note that accelerated plan approval and fee waiver incentives may only be provided upon proof of LEED registration and submittal of associated registration fees with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Upon registering a project for LEED certification and paying the applicable registration fees, the USGBC will send an invoice to the applicant as proof of registration. Applicants must provide the City with a copy of the USGBC invoice to be eligible for accelerated plan approval and City fee waivers. Information regarding the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification process is available on its website.
Green Cerritos Fee Waiver Application – Commercial, Industrial or New Residential (PDF)
Green Cerritos Recognition Program
On an annual basis, the City of Cerritos Department of Community Development recognizes commercial, industrial, or residential projects that have utilized green building techniques in design and construction and that are recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council as LEED Certified, LEED Silver, LEED Gold, or LEED Platinum projects. Projects that are recognized in any of the 4 LEED categories will receive special recognition from the Cerritos City Council in conjunction with the Planning Commission, including a proclamation from the City, a ribbon cutting ceremony at the project site, and recognition on the City's website and City publications.
