C-PACER | Clark County

Commercial - Property Assessed Clean Energy & Resiliency (C-PACER) Program

Applications are now being accepted through CC LMS, our online permitting system.

What is C-PACER?

C-PACER is an alternative loan program that allows owners of eligible commercial properties to seek long-term financing from a private capital provider for qualified improvements related to energy and building resiliency.

Background

C-PACER was established by the Washington state Legislature under HB-2405 and codified in RCW Chapter 36.165.
On October 19, 2021, Clark County Council adopted Ordinance 2021-10-04 establishing Clark County C-PACER program codified under Clark County Code Chapter 14.50. The C-PACER program has been amended under Ordinance 2022-05-02.

Benefits

C-PACER loans can offer more favorable loan terms like less upfront capital, longer term limits, etc.
More favorable loan terms give commercial property owners more to invest in green building improvements which can lead to long term savings by lowering utility bills.

C-PACER loans are tied to the property (not the owner) through an annual property assessment managed by a third-party capital provider. C-PACER loans run with the land and are transferrable upon sale of the property.

Commercial buildings are a large source of greenhouse gases and the C-PACER program is an incentive to achieve our community’s goals as stated in the Climate Action Plan. (Climate Action Plan)

Eligible properties

Privately-owned commercial, agricultural, industrial, multi-family housing (5+ units) property that may be owned by any type of business, corporation, individual, or non-profit.

Qualified improvements

In general, the following examples of qualified improvement are eligible for C-PACER financing:

Energy efficiency

HVAC System
Replacing lighting fixtures
Building insulation upgrades
Energy efficient appliances

Renewable energy

Solar panels
Geothermal heating system

Water conservation

Replacing lead water pipes, installing low-flow fixtures, repair leaking systems
Water-smart landscaping, sprinkler and irrigations systems
Energy efficient appliances

Resiliency

Seismic retrofits
Wet and dry flood proofing
Fire suppression systems
Energy storage system

Process

Documents

Program Guidebook (PDF)
Application (PDF)
Checklist (PDF)
Agent Authorization (PDF)
Assessment Agreement (Word)
Notice of Assessment (Word)
Assignment of Notice (Word)
Lienholder Consent (Word)
Certificate of Qualified Improvement (PDF)
Certificate of Capital Provider (PDF)
Certificate of Completion (PDF)

Fees

Application submittal must include a $500 application fee.

Upon approval by county staff and prior to recordation of documents for a C-PACER transaction, a program fee will be due. The program fee is one percent (1%) of the total project valuation, with a $2,500 minimum and $15,000 maximum fee due.