Better Buildings Incentives Program

General information

Do you have a Major Siting Project or planning a big development project?

Choose to use best management practices (BMPs) into your design plans. Get awarded a discount on your DCRM permit!

To promote sustainable development in the CNMI, DCRM is incentivizing the use of best management practices (BMPs) in major siting developments. These BMPs are GOOD for you and your structure. They intend to improve your development project’s resilience to climate change impacts, especially flooding, and energy efficiency. They also help minimize new developments’ environmental footprint on seagrasses, corals, and wetlands. See the “Quick Table of DCRM’s ‘Better Building’ Incentives” below!

On the left, a stormwater management BMP is a rain garden with plants that soak in runoff from the road. The middle is a climate adaptation BMP using aluminum foldable storm shutters to protect the inside from strong winds and rain. The far right is an energy efficiency BMP using solar panels to generate energy for the building and create shade for parking lots, as modeled by the 360 building.

Why “better buildings”?

Development in the CNMI, like elsewhere, adds pressure on the natural environment. We can build differently and better to incorporate our natural environment. Natural components can benefits us! In addition, we need to better prepare for climate change impacts such as:

Increased heavy rainfall events that increase runoff and erosion OR seasonal drought (dependent on ENSO)
Stronger storms
Rising sea levels
Hotter temperatures

On the left, high rain events caused flooding at impermeable surfaces, such as roads and building tops. In the middle, the aftermath of strong winds by Typhoon Yutu caused damages to infrastructure and produced trash. On the far right, an eroding shoreline coupled with sea level rise may spell trouble to adjacent infrastructure. — On the left, high rain events caused flooding at impermeable surfaces, such as roads and building tops. In the middle, the aftermath of strong winds by Typhoon Yutu caused damages to infrastructure and produced large trash. On the far right, an eroding shoreline coupled with sea level rise may spell trouble to adjacent infrastructure.

Coastal hazards (such as flooding, typhoon winds, etc) have damaged building structures and continue to pose higher risks under climate change. These smart BMPs intend to address these on-going problems so that the development would be built to last under these conditions.

DCRM is providing incentives to encourage developers to consider these sustainable, low-impact development practices before and during the siting phase because they are:

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Better for the Environment –

Stormwater management practices, such as green roofs and rain gardens, reduce and filter runoff that degrade water quality and the marine environment.
Switch to renewable sources or energy efficient practices lower greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
Recycling and composting program minimizes the waste stream headed for the landfill during the operation.
Redeveloping or reusing existing buildings prevents clearing of trees and reduces the amount of cement needed compared to developing a forested area.

Better for the Structure –

Climate adaptation best practices (such as elevating structures and installing typhoon shutters) increase structural and user resilience during and after strong typhoon winds, flooding, and other coastal hazards.
Green infrastructure practices, such as native species rain gardens and green roofs, increase the building’s attraction and provides green space for people to enjoy.

Better Savings and Returns – Resilient, low-impact development are unlikely to to deal with the costs from storm damages and rising gas prices, resulting in long-term savings!

Established in 2022, the Better Buildings Incentives Program aims to promote low-impact development through better building best management practices. This program promotes the Smart, Safe, Growth principles: 1) Climate Change, 2) Retreat, 3) Retrofit, 5) Development Incentives, 8) Green Infrastructure, 10) Early Collaboration.

NMIAC § 15-10-335 in the DCRM Rules and Regulations has been updated to include new low-impact development incentives (see the table above). Now, DCRM mandates the evaluation of impacts, such as sea level rise, using the best available science.

Additional requirements for acquiring the incentive:

Current and future risks must be evaluated using best available science (such as the DCRM-adopted coastal flood scenarios) when available. Use the Climate Impact Viewer to see what your project risks are.
For stormwater management incentives, all applicants must account for the additional percentage by collecting additional stormwater from off-site, and treating or containing it. This supplements DEQ’s stormwater management requirement of on-site detention of 100% of stormwater runoff volume, based on the 25 year to 24 hour duration storm event, set in standards in 2.1 and 2.2 of the 2006 CNMI and Guam Stormwater Management Manual, specifically E&SC Standards 1-11 and Postconstruction Standards I-13.

how to apply for a permit discount?

Review the incentives and add those infrastructural components into your building plans and design.
Schedule a pre-application meeting with DCRM by calling us at 664-8300. You can use this meeting to also consult with DCRM Permitting Section and Director in advance for consultation on how your development could better incorporate BMPs to meet an incentive.
Request for discount in writing at least 30 days before you submit the Major Siting Application.
Complete and submit the CRM permit application. The duly authorized representative much be the primary point of contact from now on. DCRM will review and determine which permit is required.

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quick table of DCRM’s “Better Building” incentives:

Instructions for easy reading: Each row is a different incentive and the columns provide additional information.

Best Practice Category is the practice type.
Tier reduction is the level (from low to high) of the incentive. The higher the incentive, the higher the discount price.
Fee reduction is the percentage (%) of your permit cost that will be deducted. Ex.: A major siting project gets approval for using the incentive of “Stormwater Management, Tier 2: Project implements and maintains 50% or more of pervious surface area or green infrastructure elements.” They earned a 10% fee reduction. Their initial cost of the permit was $2,000 but they will only get charged $1,800.

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DCRM Better Buildings Incentives Table

Best Practice Category	Tier	Description	Fee reduction (%)
LEED	1	Building design and construction are “LEED Certifiable,” scoring between 40-49 points on the LEED v4 or subsequent	10
LEED	2	Building design and construction are “LEED Silver Certifiable,” scoring between 50-59 points on the LEED v4 or subsequent Building Design and Construction Checklist	15
LEED	3	Building design and construction are “LEED Gold Certifiable,” scoring between 60-79 points on the LEED v4 or subsequent Building Design and Construction Checklist	20
LEED	4	Building design and construction are “LEED Platinum Certifiable,” scoring between 80-110 points on the LEED v4 or subsequent Building Design and Construction Checklist	25
Building Redevelopment	2	Applicant redevelops or rehabilitates 15% - 25% of the existing building	10
Building Redevelopment	3	Applicant redevelops or rehabilitates 26% - 50% of the existing building	20
Building Redevelopment	4	Applicant redevelops or rehabilitates 51% - 74% of the existing building	30
Building Redevelopment	5	Applicant redevelops or rehabilitates over 75% of the existing building	50
Recycling and Composting Programs	1	Permittee or its operators implements and maintains on site recycling and composting programs to reduce 50% or more of the waste stream	5
Energy Efficiency	1	Project installs, utilizes, and maintains “Energy Star” rated high efficiency / LEED lighting and appliances or a renewable energy source supplying 20% or more of a project’s electricity	5
Stormwater Management	1	Project implements and maintains on-site stormwater management practices that collect from an off-site source and treat or contain an additional 10%-24% of the project's total stormwater runoff volume, based on the 25 year 24 hour duration storm event; AND/OR Project implements and maintains 30%-49% of pervious surface area or green infrastructure elements	5
Stormwater Management	2	Project implements and maintains on-site stormwater management practices that collect from an off-site source and treat or contain an additional 25%-49% of the project's total stormwater runoff volume, based on the 25 year 24 hour duration storm event; AND/OR Project implements and maintains 50% or more of pervious surface area or green infrastructure elements	10
Stormwater Management	3	Project implements and maintains on-site stormwater management practices that collect from an off-site source and treat or contain an additional 50%-74% of the project's total stormwater runoff volume, based on the 25 year 24 hour duration storm event;	20
Stormwater Management	4	Project implements and maintains on-site stormwater management practices that collect from an off-site source and treat or contain an additional 74% of the project's total stormwater runoff volume, based on the 25 year 24 hour duration storm event	30
Stormwater Management	4	Project implements and maintains on-site stormwater management practices that collect from an off-site source and treat or contain an additional 74% of the project's total stormwater runoff volume, based on the 25 year 24 hour duration storm event	30

Best Practice Category Tier Description Fee reduction (%)

LEED 1 Building design and construction are
“LEED Certifiable,” scoring between
40-49 points on the LEED v4 or subsequent 10

LEED 2 Building design and construction are “LEED Silver Certifiable,” scoring
between 50-59 points on the LEED v4 or subsequent Building Design and Construction
Checklist 15

LEED 3 Building design and construction are “LEED Gold Certifiable,” scoring between 60-79 points on the LEED v4 or subsequent
Building Design and Construction Checklist
20

LEED 4 Building design and construction are “LEED Platinum Certifiable,” scoring
between 80-110 points on the LEED v4 or subsequent Building Design and Construction
Checklist 25

Building Redevelopment 2 Applicant redevelops or rehabilitates
15% - 25% of the existing building
10

Building Redevelopment 3 Applicant redevelops or rehabilitates
26% - 50% of the existing building
20

Building Redevelopment 4 Applicant redevelops or rehabilitates
51% - 74% of the existing building
30

Building Redevelopment 5 Applicant redevelops or rehabilitates
over 75% of the existing building
50

Recycling and Composting Programs 1 Permittee or its operators implements and maintains on site recycling and composting programs to reduce 50% or
more of the waste stream 5

Energy Efficiency 1 Project installs, utilizes, and maintains “Energy Star” rated high efficiency / LEED lighting and appliances or a renewable energy source supplying 20% or more of a project’s electricity 5

Stormwater Management 1 Project implements and maintains on-site stormwater management practices that collect from an off-site source and treat or contain an additional 10%-24% of the project's total stormwater runoff volume, based on the 25 year 24 hour duration storm event; AND/OR Project implements and maintains 30%-49% of pervious surface area or green infrastructure elements 5

Stormwater Management 2 Project implements and maintains on-site stormwater management practices that collect from an off-site source and treat or contain an additional 25%-49% of the project's total stormwater runoff volume, based on the 25 year 24 hour duration storm event; AND/OR Project implements and maintains 50% or more of pervious surface area or green infrastructure elements 10

Stormwater Management 3 Project implements and maintains on-site stormwater management practices that collect from an off-site source and treat or contain an additional 50%-74% of the project's total stormwater runoff volume, based on the 25 year 24 hour duration storm event; 20

Stormwater Management 4 Project implements and maintains on-site stormwater management practices that collect from an off-site source and treat or contain an additional 74% of the project's total stormwater runoff volume, based on the 25 year 24 hour duration storm event 30

Stormwater Management 4 Project implements and maintains on-site stormwater management practices that collect from an off-site source and treat or contain an additional 74% of the project's total stormwater runoff volume, based on the 25 year 24 hour duration storm event 30

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read our guidebook

Better Buildings Practices in the CNMI: Addressing Coastal Hazards Through Responsible Development and Resiliency provides guidance for how developers can incorporate “Better Buildings” practices into their project design and avail the incentive. The Executive Summary section of the guidebook, page ii – x, is available in Korean, Chinese, and Japanese.

Physical copies are free and available at the DCRM Permitting Office.

View and Download PDF