Snohomish County Commercial Real Estate C-Pacer Program

Understanding the C‑PACER Program in Snohomish County: A Powerful Tool for Commercial Property Upgrades

Snohomish County’s C‑PACER Program—short for Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency—is an innovative financing tool designed to help commercial property owners make energy-efficient and resilient upgrades without upfront costs. This voluntary program is gaining momentum throughout Washington, offering substantial financial and environmental benefits.

What Is C‑PACER?

The C‑PACER program allows private commercial, industrial, agricultural, and multifamily (5+ unit) property owners to obtain long-term, fixed-rate financing for improvements that enhance:

• Energy efficiency

• Water conservation

• Renewable energy generation

• Natural disaster resiliency (e.g., seismic, wildfire, flood upgrades)

Rather than traditional loans, C‑PACER financing is repaid via a voluntary tax assessment recorded against the property—not the individual borrower. The assessment stays with the property if it is sold or transferred.

Eligible Properties

The program applies to most privately owned commercial properties, including:

• Office and industrial buildings

• Retail centers and warehouses

• Agricultural and mixed-use structures

• Multifamily buildings (5+ units)

Eligible Improvements

The scope of eligible upgrades is broad and includes:

• High-efficiency HVAC and insulation systems

• Solar panels and EV charging stations

• LED lighting, energy storage, and water-saving systems

• Seismic retrofits, flood barriers, wildfire hardening

• Fire suppression systems and stormwater control

Key Benefits of C‑PACER

• No upfront capital required

• Fixed, long-term repayment terms (up to 30 years)

• Repayment is tied to the property, not the borrower

• May improve net operating income (NOI)

• Can be cash-flow positive from day one

• Improves property value and marketability

C‑PACER is especially attractive for building owners facing capital expenditure constraints, those looking to meet ESG targets, or investors in aging buildings requiring modernization.

Program Process & Costs

1. Apply through the County with a project scope and private lender identified

2. Obtain mortgage holder consent

3. Receive approval and record the C‑PACER assessment lien

4. Close financing with a qualified lender

5. Begin improvements

Cost: A $3,400 administrative fee is collected at closing to support program administration and compliance monitoring.

Local Impact in Snohomish County

Since launching in late 2021, the C‑PACER program has already helped fund projects such as:

• Commercial car wash systems with water recycling

• Solar panel installations on industrial buildings

• Seismic retrofits in older office assets

This program supports Snohomish County’s broader goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2045 and strengthening local infrastructure resilience.

Weitz - I love this; for the right project, it can be a great tool. 

For more information on investing in Snohomish County Commercial Real Estate, contact me below: 

Scott Weitz

Scott@Weitzcommercial.com

T: 206.306.4034