855773520-LEED-v5-ID-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition-1 - Page 057

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alternative means of travel when amenities are closely located. More important, high surrounding density promotes efficient land use and achieves more sustainable growth patterns that protect natural habitats, farmland, and open spaces. This approach ultimately leads to more resilient and livable communities.

Project teams must identify the building site and buildable land within 0.25 miles (400 meters) offset of the project boundary on a map. Team should collect information on surrounding residential and nonresidential building densities, including the number of dwelling units and building floor area for all properties within the offset of the boundary, and confirm residential densities and floor area ratios (FAR) meet or exceed a residential density of seven or 12 dwelling units (DU)/acre (17.5 or 30 DU/hectare) and a nonresidential density (FAR) of 0.5 or 0.8 using separate density measurements. Projects must meet the 22,000 or 35,000 sf/ acre of buildable land for combined density. A density of seven DU/acre is the minimum required to support public transit. The FAR and buildable land thresholds support this density level.

Option 3. Access to Transit

A project located in a densely built environment with a compact and connected transportation and infrastructure network reduces environmental impact and enhances the quality of life for regular occupants. When people take public transportation, fewer private vehicles occupy the road, which reduces VMT and associated GHG emissions and air pollution. Additionally, buildings close to public transportation significantly promote equity by providing various benefits to communities, particularly underserved/disadvantaged ones. These buildings offer accessibility and mobility to people without private vehicles and foster social interaction by connecting different neighborhoods.

Teams pursuing this option must identify transit stops within the required walking distance from the project’s functional entry to existing or planned transit. Types of transit may include bus, streetcar, bus rapid transit, rail, ferry, or informal transit stops. Teams must provide maps with all available and relevant public transportation options, and/or those that will be available within 24 months of the certificate of occupancy. Teams must measure all stops along walking routes from the main entrance of the project site. Teams must also provide detailed information of the transit services’ location, frequency, and routes, confirming the minimum number of daily trips is met or exceeded. Projects should prioritize locations with multiple types of transit to optimize transportation options for building occupants.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 46