CaliforniaFIRST

The CaliforniaFIRST Program is a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program for non-residential properties. PACE programs allow property owners to finance the installation of energy and water improvements on their buildings and to pay the amount back through their property taxes. CaliforniaFIRST is available to commercial, industrial, agricultural, and multi-family (over 5 units) buildings in one of the 120 participating cities or the unincorporated parts of the 14 participating counties. Click here to see all the local governments that are participating.

Eligibility is generally determined by the property records and value, and the property must meet general underwriting criteria established by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA). The property must be current in payment for all obligations secured by the property, including mortgages, property taxes, and assessment and tax liens, for the past 3 years. There cannot be any notices of default or foreclosure filed against the property within the last 5 years. The current property owner also cannot have a record of bankruptcy in the past 7 years. Lenders may request additional information and have additional criteria.

More information and a complete list of the currently approved energy and water efficiency technologies are available at the web site above.