CONYERS, Ga. – Rockdale County is promoting incentives for sustainable development practices and strategies as part of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Green Communities program.

The County is offering rebates for Green Building-Certified, affordable housing, solar energy and smart growth projects in an effort to encourage the protection of the natural environment while growing as a community.

Any project that is EarthCraft, Energy Star, Green Globes, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), WaterSense, or of an equivalent certification system that the Planning and Development Director determines qualified is eligible to receive a rebate of up to 50 percent off building permit fees.

Green Building-Certified, multifamily housing developments are also eligible for an additional 15 percent rebate on building permit fees if they provide affordable housing.

Projects incorporating solar energy generation are eligible for a 15 percent rebate as well.

Rezoning and redeveloping areas can also result in rebates starting at 50 percent up to 100 percent depending on project conditions. Projects built on previously-developed property in an Urban Redevelopment Area are eligible for 50 percent rebates and rezoning to sustainable districts is eligible for a 100 percent rezoning fee rebate.

For information about eligible project and rebates, contact the Rockdale County Department of Planning and Development at [email protected] or 770-278-7100.