TAMPA -- As part of the city's effort to promote environmentally sustainable construction, building officials are shaving three to five days off the permitting process for developers of green projects.

"If you have a bona fide green project then you go to the head of the line," said John Barrios, Tampa's construction services division manager.

The policy only applies to building permits, which now take about five to 10 days to process. It doesn't address the time -- six months to more than a year -- required to rezone land, obtain a variance or amend the comprehensive land plan.

"Is it a benefit? Sure," said Carlton Fields attorney Nicole Kibert, who specializes in environmentally sustainable development. "Is it enough to incentivize a builder to go green? Probably not."