Development Incentive Programs

Applicants can request development rights and land coverage from the city at NO COST for projects that involve redevelopment of distressed or blighted commercial/industrial properties where the proposed improvements and/or new construction increases the value by over 51% of the El Dorado County assessed value. 

For specific eligibility criteria see Resolution 2022-051. 

Projects located in the Tourist Core Area Plan or Tahoe Valley Area Plan are eligible for the City's Green Building Program. A zoning map identifying the area plans locations can be found here. 

Commercial and Industrial 

Commercial and Industrial buildings that obtain LEED certification or an Energy Star Label are eligible for the following:

• Receive priority plan check, over all other projects, by all City Departments.
• Mixed use projects with residential components may be eligible for CFA allocation from the City's unallocated CFA pool.
• Receive recognition at a televised City Council meeting and on the City Website. 

Residential

Residential buildings that incorporate the Recommended Green Measures identified below are eligible for priority plan check by all City Departments.

Recommended Green Measures for Residential Projects

• Appliances – All kitchen appliances meet Energy Star rating if an Energy Star designation is available for that appliance.
• Reduction in cement uses – Foundation mixes contain at least 20% reduction in cement by replacing cement with products such as flyash, slag, silica fume, or rice hull ash.
• Renewable/Recycled materials – At least 20% of all hard floor covering in the home must be a recycled content material or be of rapidly renewable materials such as bamboo, cork, natural linoleum flooring, engineered wood products, or minimum of 50% recycled content tile.
• Low VOC flooring – At least 80% of the total area of resilient flooring installed must be certified under the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RCFI) FloorScore program and at least 80% of the total area of carpet meet the CRI Green Label Plus requirements for carpet.
• Radon Resistant construction – Radon resistant construction that meets the criteria of the Basic Techniques for Radon Resistant Construction recommended by the US EPA, is included in the project and the owner has been provided with information on radon risks, the radon resistant construction in the home, and radon testing options.
• Sustainable deck products – All decks surfaces utilize Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood, salvaged wood, or recycled content plastic or composite decking. Plastic or composite decking materials must be approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshall for use in the Wildland Urban Interface area.
• Low water consumption landscaping – The project does not include lawn area greater than 5% of the lot area and all landscaping is irrigated with a drip irrigation system that includes soil moisture control sensors.
• Kitchen faucet – Maximum flow rate at sink faucets is not greater than 1.5 gallons per minute at 60 psi.

Residential buildings that obtain LEED, Energy Star or GreenPoint Rated certification are eligible for the following:

• Receive priority plan check, over all other projects, by all City Departments.
• Receive recognition at a televised City Council meeting and on the City Website.

For more information regard incentives offered by TRPA, call the TRPA Current Planning Department at 775-588-4547.

Achievable Housing in the Lake Tahoe Basin

TRPA has established several housing policies, programs, and incentives available for those interested in building workforce housing in the Tahoe Basin. Click here for more info.  

Restoring Sensitive or Remote Areas

Transferring existing development from sensitive or remote areas could mean big rewards for your project. TRPA will award up to five bonus units for every one unit transferred on eligible sending and receiving properties. Click here for more info. 

Conversion of Development Rights

Existing development rights consisting of commercial floor area (CFA) tourist accommodation units (TAUs), and residential units of use (RUUs) may be converted from one development right to another.Click here for more info. 

Accessory Dwelling Units

If your property is within ½ mile of an existing transit stop, a town center, or within an area zoned for multi-family housing, you are eligible to receive a development right for an ADU at no cost. Click here for more info.