To ensure Sarasota County’s sustainability, we must find ways to balance our way of life with our quality of life. Sarasota County has a long and proud history of progressive governance in protecting our natural resources. We've begun stepping up our efforts to achieve greater balance among environmental, economic and social impacts of our programs and processes. Here we’ve included links to our policies and practices that other government entities might find helpful.

	2030 Challenge Resolution #2006-157 Directs that county buildings be designed for reduced energy use and to be carbon neutral, requiring no fossil fuel energy, by 2030.
	Canopy Road Ordinance #2001-041 Designates, preserves and protects canopy roads and encourages property owners to maintain and protect these trees.
	Cities for Climate Protection Campaign Resolution #96-115 Commits Sarasota County to take a leadership role in reducing greenhouse gases from county operations and develop a local action plan for the reduction of greenhouse gases from the community.  Sarasota County has completed its greenhouse gas emissions inventory as a part of this program.
	Community Housing Fund Ordinance #2007-016 Promotes development of quality affordable housing through the Community Housing Fund Program.
	Comprehensive Plan 2007 Official document providing policy direction for land use decisions and growth management initiatives.
	Development Incentive Resolutions
	Environmentally Preferable Procurement Ordinance #2003-084 Establishes preference for purchasing products and services that minimize harmful environmental and social impacts and emphasize long-term value.
	Environmentally Sensitive Land Protection Program (ESLPP) This voter-approved and taxpayer-funded program acquires and protects natural lands. Many will have public access for nature-based recreation.
	Florida Green Building Coalition Green Local Government Certification Sarasota County is a participant in the Green Local Government Program, meeting state-level standards for greening local government.
	Golf Course Ordinance #2003-069 Requires all new golf courses to be designed, constructed, certified and managed in accordance with Audubon International Signature Program standard or equivalent.
	Green Building Resolution #2005-048 Provides for Finance, plans, designs, construction, management, renovation, commission, maintenance, and deconstruction of county facilities in accordance with green building standards.
	Green Development Resolution #2006-174 Expedites processing of rezone and special exception petitions, site and development plans for projects that meet green development standards.
	Green Housekeeping Policy Requires use of environmentally preferable janitorial cleaning products and services.
	Plug-In Electric Hybrid Vehicle Resolution #2005-278 Supports federal, state and local policies that advance the market for flexible-fuel Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles.
	Sarasota County Government 2050 Plan Adopts smart-growth planning principles countywide and combats urban sprawl.
	SustainAbility Resolution #02-119 Establishes and implements policies, guidelines, goals and strategic actions to promote sustainAbility.
	Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance #2001-081 Requires all new landscaping to employ efficient irrigation and site adaptive plants including micro-irrigation systems and limiting irrigated sod to no more than 50%.