One Irvine Green Home Grant Program 

Application Guidelines and Instructions

The City of Irvine Green Home Grant Program provides grants to owners of single-family homes and condominiums built in or before 1980 for sustainability upgrades. Funding is limited and applications are accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis until funding is exhausted. Please allow four to six weeks for your rebate check to be issued.

Program Overview:

  • Grants up to $1,500 for eligible “green home” expenses for single-family homes and condominiums.

Questions? Please contact us at oneirvine@cityofirvine.org or 949-724-6470.

 

 

-Property must be a single-family home or condominium in the City of Irvine built in or before 1980.
-Applicant must be the owner of record or the owner’s legally-appointed representative.
 

-Homeowner or legal representative must submit a complete program application.

-Applicant (owner of record) must:

     -Agree to program guidelines in online application form.
     -Allow grant program staff to conduct up to two home inspections: one at application and one at completion.
     -Submit a completed W-9 form once approved for the program.

-Sustainability upgrades must be:

     -Listed as Eligible Expenses in the Application Guidelines and Instructions or an Exception Request must be filed by the applicant and approved by City staff.
     -Made after the City approves the grant application.
     -Fixed to the single-family home property.
     -Permitted for installation when required by Municipal Code (the chart below provides a sample of the necessary City permit types for the program).
     -Installed by a qualified, licensed, and insured contractor. *Some exclusions apply.
     -Installed by a contractor with a current City of Irvine business license.

Maximum of $1,500

-Electric dryer (heat pump or condensing) ($500).
-Electric vehicle chargers (level 2) ($1,500).
-Induction cooktop stove ($600).
-Insulation/windows (up to $1,500)
-Heat pump water heater replacement ($500).
-Heat pump space heating/cooling ($600).
-Home battery storage system ($1,500).
-Home Energy Rating System (HERS) inspection – performed by a qualified inspector ($500). 
-Service panel upgrade ($1,000).
-Smart thermostat ($150) *Contractor installation not required.
-Smart irrigation controller ($150)
-Solar photovoltaic system (uo to $1,500).

Other Green Home Grant proposed upgrades that are not listed here will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by City staff.

Verify your eligibility for the Green Home Grants Program:

-Are you the owner of record of a single-family home or condominium in the City of Irvine?

-Was your single-family home or condominium built in or before 1980?

-Is your Green Home Grant project listed among the eligible uses above or do you plan to submit a request for an alternative sustainable upgrade?

If you answer “Yes” to all of the questions above, then proceed with the application process.

Receive program approval/denial notification from the City Of Irvine.

You will be notified via email if your application is approved and your grant funding has been reserved.

Work with your contractor to submit a permit application, if required, for your sustainability upgrade. 

Which permit applies to your project?

-Electric clothes dryer (heat pump or condensing): Minor Residential Permit
-Electric vehicle charging station outlet only- Level 1 (120V) or Level 2 (240V): Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) Permit
-Electric vehicle charging station – Level 2 (240V): Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) Permit
-Induction cooktop stove: Minor Residential Permi
-Insulation/windows: Residential Building Permit or No Permit Required (if like for like)
-Heat pump water heater replacement: Minor Residential Permit
-Heat Pump space heating/cooling: Minor Residential Permit
-Home battery storage system: Minor Residential Permit
-Service Panel Upgrade: Minor Residential Permit
-Smart thermostat: No permit required
-Smart irrigation controller: No permit required
-Solar photovoltaic system: Residential Solar Electrical System

Permitting Tips

-You can apply for building permits online securely at irvineready.com.

-If you are installing an EV charging outlet only, make sure that your contractor clearly notes this on the permit application and site plan (outlets typically have shorter permit reviews).

-Make sure that the email listed on the permit application matches the proper contact to respond to Plan Check comments (i.e. contractor)

-If applying online, respond to any Plan Check comments on your permit application ASAP to avoid permitting delays. Your contractor will receive an email notification if there are comments to review.

 

Once permit is issued (if needed), install the upgrade/appliance.

Schedule final inspection with the Building & Safety Division (if project requires a permit).

Submit your rebate payment request by email.

Email proof of inspection and proof of payment within two weeks of your final inspection date to oneirvine@cityofirvine.org with the subject line: One Irvine Grant – Final Docs, Last Name

Submit the following documentation to receive your rebate check:

-Permit number and proof of final inspection approval (if required) from the Building & Safety Division.
-Proof of payment for the installation and equipment (paid invoice).
-Photos of installed equipment (include one photo of equipment installed and one photo of the make/model label).

Checks will only be issued to the property owner/applicant. Checks cannot be issued to contractors. Checks will only be issued after work is deemed complete by a City representative.

Receive your check.

The City will issue the check to the grant applicant and a Form 1099-MISC if the grant amount is more than $600. Please allow four to six (4-6) weeks for your check to be issued.