Nassau County to consider commercial‑only CPACE ordinance July 28

Denise May, Nassau County attorney, presented a draft ordinance on July 16 to create a Nassau County Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) program limited to commercial properties. She said the board directed staff on June 9 to draft the ordinance and that the draft would be advertised for public hearing and adoption on July 28.

May told commissioners the proposed ordinance would allow only commercial PACE financing (no residential PACE) and would require program administrators to be authorized by the board and to enter interlocal agreements with the county. She described statutory changes enacted in 2024 that, she said, clarified the distinction between commercial and residential PACE, expanded qualifying improvements, and added consumer protections that had been missing under earlier (2010) statutory frameworks.

Under the draft ordinance, program administrators would apply through an administrative process reviewed by county staff and legal counsel, and the board would be required to authorize programs by resolution; the interlocal agreement would include terms allowing the county to repeal authorization if an administrator became a “bad actor.” May said enforcement tools could include seeking injunctive relief in court and that the county would share program information with the tax collector and property appraiser to facilitate assessment and collection processes.

Commissioners present expressed support for creating a commercial‑only CPACE program and for the consumer protections May described; May said the proposed ordinance would return for formal adoption on July 28. The board did not adopt the ordinance July 16.