This 86-page toolkit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is designed to assist local governments in identifying and removing permitting barriers to sustainable design and green building practices.

Using the kit's assessment tool, cities can conduct an internal evaluation of how local codes and ordinances facilitate -- or impede -- a sustainable built environment.

The kit's resource guide provides documents to consider when conducting assessments.

And the kit's action plan is designed to help users devise strategies to make regulatory and permitting changes that would allow for more sustainable design.

The toolkit is available for free download at www.epa.gov/region4/recycle/green-building-toolkit.pdf