Dear Resident,

For this issue, discover home improvement programs specially designed for older Irvine neighborhoods and find out if you qualify for financial assistance. Funding is limited, and applications must be submitted online.

- Larry

Home Improvement Loans: The One Irvine Home Improvement Loans provide up to $25,000 in loans to owners of single-family homes and condominiums built in or before 1975. These loans, repaid upon sale or transfer of the property, are designed for critical repairs or sustainability projects – including solar panels. Funding is limited, and applications will be accepted until funding is exhausted.

Green Home Grants: Available to all single-family homes and condominiums built in Irvine in 1975 or earlier, the Green Home Grants provide up to $1,500 per household to support smaller sustainability projects. Funding is limited and applications will be accepted until funding is exhausted.

Permit Fee Holiday: If your single-family home or condominium was built in or before 1975, you may also be eligible for up to $1,500 per household in waived fees. The permit fee holiday waives certain building and planning permit fees.

Eligible expenses for Permit Fee Holiday and Green Home Grant: 

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 (up to $1,500).

Non-eligible expenses for Permit Fee Holiday and Green Home Grant: 
-Accessory Dwelling Units
-Room additions
-Pools
-Saunas
-Gas lines for barbeques

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

CLICK HERE to sign-up for One Irvine program updates!

Electric Lawn Mower Rebate Program: The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) program offers a rebate to offset the cost of purchasing an electric lawn mower. Participants can buy the mower online or from authorized retailers. Thereafter, they must turn in their old gas mower to receive a rebate based on the price of the new electric mower. The program is first-come, first-served and provides up to $250 towards the cost of a battery-powered mower for residents within South Coast AQMD's jurisdiction.