Jupiter, FL Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

The green building program at Town Code sections 27-2405 through 27-2408 applies only to Large-Scale Planned Unit Development Districts (PUD) and Small-Scale Planned Unit Developments (SSPUD) seeking certification through the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) or the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Section 27-2408(a) requires new development projects to reach a silver certification level, while redevelopment approvals need only the minimum certification level from either group. In exchange, the town's planning and zoning department may grant waivers from building standards and land development regulations, scaled to the number of green building standards incorporated and the certification level achieved.

Applicants must meet with planning and zoning staff at least 30 days before filing, bringing a completed FGBC or USGBC certification checklist and an independent commissioning agent to the pre-application meeting. Before a certificate of occupancy issues, the applicant must post an irrevocable letter of credit equal to five percent of the estimated construction cost, and certification must be achieved within 12 months of occupancy. Missing that deadline triggers a required action plan and a six-month extension the director of planning and zoning may grant administratively; if certification still is not achieved in good faith, the town can call the letter of credit and convert it into a green building mitigation fee used to fund green design on town-owned property. The letter of credit is released within 60 days of the applicant submitting written FGBC or USGBC certification. Qualifying criteria counted toward waiver justification include energy-efficient design, renewable energy use, drought-tolerant plantings, reduced potable water use, enhanced on-site stormwater treatment, and indoor environmental quality features such as natural daylight and increased ventilation.