855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Full Extract

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APRIL 2025 LAUNCH EDITION

LEED v5 REFERENCE GUIDE

BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

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The U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. (USGBC) devoted significant time and resources to create this LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition. USGBC authorizes individual use of the Reference Guide. In exchange for this authorization, the user agrees: to retain all copyright and other proprietary notices contained in the Reference Guide; not to sell or modify the Reference Guide; and not to reproduce, display, or distribute the Reference Guide in any way for any public or commercial purpose, including display on a website or in a networked environment.

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TRADEMARK LEED® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction April 2025 Edition ISBN 979-8-99251 10-0-0

Col1	Gross square feet per occupant	Col3	Gross square meters per occupant	Col5
	Regular	Visitors	Regular	Visitors
General office	250	0	23	0
Retail, restaurant	435	95	40	9
Retail, grocery store	550	115	51	11
Retail, general	550	130	51	12
Retail, service	600	130	56	12
Medical office	225	330	21	31
R&D or laboratory	400	0	37	0
Warehouse, distribution	2,500	0	232	0
Warehouse, storage	20,000	0	1860	0
Educational, daycare	630	105	59	10
Educational, K–12	1,300	140	121	13
Educational, postsecondary	2,100	150	195	14

Col2	Col3	Col4	New Construction	Col6	Core and Shell
Integrative Process, Planning and Assessments (IP) IPp1 Climate Resilience Assessment	Integrative Process, Planning and Assessments (IP) IPp1 Climate Resilience Assessment	Integrative Process, Planning and Assessments (IP) IPp1 Climate Resilience Assessment	1	1	7
Integrative Process, Planning and Assessments (IP) IPp1 Climate Resilience Assessment	Climate Resilience Assessment	Climate Resilience Assessment	Required	Required	Required
IPp2	Human Impact Assessment	Human Impact Assessment	Required	Required	Required
IPp3	Carbon Assessment	Carbon Assessment	Required	Required	Required
IPp4 Tenant Guidelines – Required	IPp4 Tenant Guidelines – Required	IPp4 Tenant Guidelines – Required	IPp4 Tenant Guidelines – Required	IPp4 Tenant Guidelines – Required	IPp4 Tenant Guidelines – Required
IPc1 Integrative Design Process 1 1	IPc1 Integrative Design Process 1 1	IPc1 Integrative Design Process 1 1	IPc1 Integrative Design Process 1 1	IPc1 Integrative Design Process 1 1	IPc1 Integrative Design Process 1 1
IPc2 Green Leases – 6	IPc2 Green Leases – 6	IPc2 Green Leases – 6	IPc2 Green Leases – 6	IPc2 Green Leases – 6	IPc2 Green Leases – 6

Location and Transportation (LT)	Location and Transportation (LT)	Location and Transportation (LT)	15	15	16
LTc1	Sensitive Land Protection	Sensitive Land Protection	1	1	1
LTc2	Equitable Development	Equitable Development	2	2	2
LTc3	Compact and Connected Development	Compact and Connected Development	6	6	6
LTc4	Transportation Demand Management	Transportation Demand Management	4	4	4
LTc5	Electric Vehicles	Electric Vehicles	2	2	2

Sustainable Sites (SS) 11 SSp1 Minimized Site Disturbance Required SSc1 Biodiverse Habitat 2 SSc2 Accessible Outdoor Space 1 SSc3 Rainwater Management 3 SSc4 Enhanced Resilient Site Design 2 SSc5 Heat Island Reduction 2 SSc6 Light Pollution Reduction 1	Sustainable Sites (SS) 11 SSp1 Minimized Site Disturbance Required SSc1 Biodiverse Habitat 2 SSc2 Accessible Outdoor Space 1 SSc3 Rainwater Management 3 SSc4 Enhanced Resilient Site Design 2 SSc5 Heat Island Reduction 2 SSc6 Light Pollution Reduction 1	Sustainable Sites (SS) 11 SSp1 Minimized Site Disturbance Required SSc1 Biodiverse Habitat 2 SSc2 Accessible Outdoor Space 1 SSc3 Rainwater Management 3 SSc4 Enhanced Resilient Site Design 2 SSc5 Heat Island Reduction 2 SSc6 Light Pollution Reduction 1	Sustainable Sites (SS) 11 SSp1 Minimized Site Disturbance Required SSc1 Biodiverse Habitat 2 SSc2 Accessible Outdoor Space 1 SSc3 Rainwater Management 3 SSc4 Enhanced Resilient Site Design 2 SSc5 Heat Island Reduction 2 SSc6 Light Pollution Reduction 1	Sustainable Sites (SS) 11 SSp1 Minimized Site Disturbance Required SSc1 Biodiverse Habitat 2 SSc2 Accessible Outdoor Space 1 SSc3 Rainwater Management 3 SSc4 Enhanced Resilient Site Design 2 SSc5 Heat Island Reduction 2 SSc6 Light Pollution Reduction 1	11 Required

					2
					1
					3
					2
					2
					1

Water Efficiency (WE) WEp1 Water Metering and Reporting	Water Efficiency (WE) WEp1 Water Metering and Reporting	Water Efficiency (WE) WEp1 Water Metering and Reporting	9 Required	9 Required	8 Required
Water Efficiency (WE) WEp1 Water Metering and Reporting	Water Metering and Reporting	Water Metering and Reporting	Water Metering and Reporting	Water Metering and Reporting	Water Metering and Reporting
WEp2	Minimum Water Efficiency	Minimum Water Efficiency	Required	Required	Required
WEc1	Water Metering and Leak Detection	Water Metering and Leak Detection	1	1	1
WEc2	Enhanced Water Efficiency	Enhanced Water Efficiency	8	8	7

Col2	Col3	Col4	New Construction	Col6	Core and Shell
Energy and Atmosphere (EA) 33 27 EAp1 Operational Carbon Projection and Decarbonization Plan Required Required	Energy and Atmosphere (EA) 33 27 EAp1 Operational Carbon Projection and Decarbonization Plan Required Required	Energy and Atmosphere (EA) 33 27 EAp1 Operational Carbon Projection and Decarbonization Plan Required Required	33	33	27
Energy and Atmosphere (EA) 33 27 EAp1 Operational Carbon Projection and Decarbonization Plan Required Required	Operational Carbon Projection and Decarbonization Plan Required Required	Operational Carbon Projection and Decarbonization Plan Required Required	Operational Carbon Projection and Decarbonization Plan Required Required	Operational Carbon Projection and Decarbonization Plan Required Required	Operational Carbon Projection and Decarbonization Plan Required Required
EAp2	Minimum Energy Efficiency Required Required	Minimum Energy Efficiency Required Required	Minimum Energy Efficiency Required Required	Minimum Energy Efficiency Required Required	Minimum Energy Efficiency Required Required
EAp3	Fundamental Commissioning Required Required	Fundamental Commissioning Required Required	Fundamental Commissioning Required Required	Fundamental Commissioning Required Required	Fundamental Commissioning Required Required
EAp4	Energy Metering and Reporting Required Required	Energy Metering and Reporting Required Required	Energy Metering and Reporting Required Required	Energy Metering and Reporting Required Required	Energy Metering and Reporting Required Required
EAp5	Fundamental Refrigerant Management Required Required	Fundamental Refrigerant Management Required Required	Fundamental Refrigerant Management Required Required	Fundamental Refrigerant Management Required Required	Fundamental Refrigerant Management Required Required
EAc1	Electrification 5 4	Electrification 5 4	Electrification 5 4	Electrification 5 4	Electrification 5 4
EAc2	Reduce Peak Thermal Loads 5 5	Reduce Peak Thermal Loads 5 5	Reduce Peak Thermal Loads 5 5	Reduce Peak Thermal Loads 5 5	Reduce Peak Thermal Loads 5 5
EAc3	Enhanced Energy Efficiency 10 7	Enhanced Energy Efficiency 10 7	Enhanced Energy Efficiency 10 7	Enhanced Energy Efficiency 10 7	Enhanced Energy Efficiency 10 7
EAc4	Renewable Energy 5 4	Renewable Energy 5 4	Renewable Energy 5 4	Renewable Energy 5 4	Renewable Energy 5 4
EAc5	Enhanced Commissioning 4 3	Enhanced Commissioning 4 3	Enhanced Commissioning 4 3	Enhanced Commissioning 4 3	Enhanced Commissioning 4 3
EAc6 Grid Interactive 2 2	EAc6 Grid Interactive 2 2	EAc6 Grid Interactive 2 2	EAc6 Grid Interactive 2 2	EAc6 Grid Interactive 2 2	EAc6 Grid Interactive 2 2
EAc7 Enhanced Refrigerant Management 2 2	EAc7 Enhanced Refrigerant Management 2 2	EAc7 Enhanced Refrigerant Management 2 2	EAc7 Enhanced Refrigerant Management 2 2	EAc7 Enhanced Refrigerant Management 2 2	EAc7 Enhanced Refrigerant Management 2 2

Materials and Resources (MR)	Materials and Resources (MR)	Materials and Resources (MR)	18	18	21
MRp1	Planning for Zero Waste Operations	Planning for Zero Waste Operations	Required	Required	Required
MRp2	MRp2	MRp2	Required	Required	Required

MRc2 Reduce Embodied Carbon 6 8	MRc2 Reduce Embodied Carbon 6 8	MRc2 Reduce Embodied Carbon 6 8	MRc2 Reduce Embodied Carbon 6 8	MRc2 Reduce Embodied Carbon 6 8	MRc2 Reduce Embodied Carbon 6 8
MRc3 Low-Emitting Materials 2 1	MRc3 Low-Emitting Materials 2 1	MRc3 Low-Emitting Materials 2 1	MRc3 Low-Emitting Materials 2 1	MRc3 Low-Emitting Materials 2 1	MRc3 Low-Emitting Materials 2 1
MRc4 Building Product Selection and Procurement 5 5	MRc4 Building Product Selection and Procurement 5 5	MRc4 Building Product Selection and Procurement 5 5	MRc4 Building Product Selection and Procurement 5 5	MRc4 Building Product Selection and Procurement 5 5	MRc4 Building Product Selection and Procurement 5 5
MRc5 Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion 2 2	MRc5 Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion 2 2	MRc5 Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion 2 2	MRc5 Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion 2 2	MRc5 Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion 2 2	MRc5 Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion 2 2

Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) 13 EQp1 Construction Management Required EQp2 Fundamental Air Quality Required EQp3 No Smoking or Vehicle Idling Required EQc1 Enhanced Air Quality 1 EQc2 Occupant Experience 7 EQc3 Accessibility and Inclusion 1 EQc4 Resilient Spaces 2 EQc5 Air Quality Testing and Monitoring 2	Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) 13 EQp1 Construction Management Required EQp2 Fundamental Air Quality Required EQp3 No Smoking or Vehicle Idling Required EQc1 Enhanced Air Quality 1 EQc2 Occupant Experience 7 EQc3 Accessibility and Inclusion 1 EQc4 Resilient Spaces 2 EQc5 Air Quality Testing and Monitoring 2	Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) 13 EQp1 Construction Management Required EQp2 Fundamental Air Quality Required EQp3 No Smoking or Vehicle Idling Required EQc1 Enhanced Air Quality 1 EQc2 Occupant Experience 7 EQc3 Accessibility and Inclusion 1 EQc4 Resilient Spaces 2 EQc5 Air Quality Testing and Monitoring 2	Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) 13 EQp1 Construction Management Required EQp2 Fundamental Air Quality Required EQp3 No Smoking or Vehicle Idling Required EQc1 Enhanced Air Quality 1 EQc2 Occupant Experience 7 EQc3 Accessibility and Inclusion 1 EQc4 Resilient Spaces 2 EQc5 Air Quality Testing and Monitoring 2	Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) 13 EQp1 Construction Management Required EQp2 Fundamental Air Quality Required EQp3 No Smoking or Vehicle Idling Required EQc1 Enhanced Air Quality 1 EQc2 Occupant Experience 7 EQc3 Accessibility and Inclusion 1 EQc4 Resilient Spaces 2 EQc5 Air Quality Testing and Monitoring 2	11 Required

					Required
					Required
					1
					7
					1
					2
					–

Project Priorities (PR) PRc1 Project Priorities	Project Priorities (PR) PRc1 Project Priorities	Project Priorities (PR) PRc1 Project Priorities	10 9	10 9	10 9
Project Priorities (PR) PRc1 Project Priorities	Project Priorities	Project Priorities	Project Priorities	Project Priorities	Project Priorities
PRc2	LEED AP	LEED AP	1	1	1
Total	Possible Points	Possible Points	110	110	110

IP Prerequisite	Carbon Assessment
IP Prerequisite	Tenant Guidelines
IP Credit	Integrative Design Process
IP Credit	Green Leases
LT Credit	Compact and Connected Development
LT Credit	Transportation Demand Management
LT Credit	Electric Vehicles
SS Credit	Heat Island Reduction
WE Prerequisite	Minimum Water Efficiency
WE Credit	Water Metering and Leak Detection
WE Credit	Enhanced Water Efficiency
EA Prerequisite	Operational Carbon Projection and Decarbonization Plan
EA Prerequisite	Minimum Energy Efficiency
EA Prerequisite	Fundamental Commissioning
EA Prerequisite	Energy Metering and Reporting
EA Prerequisite	Fundamental Refrigerant Management
EA Credit	Electrification
EA Credit	Reduce Peak Thermal Loads
EA Credit	Enhanced Energy Efficiency
EA Credit	Renewable Energy
EA Credit	Enhanced Commissioning
EA Credit	Grid Interactive
EA Credit	Enhanced Refrigerant Management
MR Prerequisite	Planning for Zero Waste Operations

Quality of life	Col2	New Construction	Core and Shell
IP Prerequisite Climate Resilience Assessment	IP Prerequisite Climate Resilience Assessment	Required	Required
IP Prerequisite	Tenant Guidelines	–	Required
IP Prerequisite	Human Impact Assessment	Required	Required
IP Credit	Integrative Design Process	1	1
IP Credit	Green Leases	–	6
LT Credit	Equitable Development	2	2
LT Credit	Compact and Connected Development	6	6
LT Credit	Transportation Demand Management	4	4
SS Credit	Accessible Outdoor Space	1	1
SS Credit	Enhanced Resilient Site Design	2	2
SS Credit	Heat Island Reduction	2	2
WE Credit	Water Metering and Leak Detection	1	1
MR Credit	Low Emitting Materials	2	1
MR Credit	Building Product Selection and Procurement	5	5
EQ Prerequisite	Construction Management	Required	Required
EQ Prerequisite	Fundamental Air Quality	Required	Required
EQ Prerequisite	No Smoking or Vehicle Idling	Required	Required
EQ Credit	Enhanced Air Quality	1	1
EQ Credit	Occupant Experience	7	7

Quality of life	Col2	New Construction	Core and Shell
EQ Credit	Accessibility and Inclusion	1	1
EQ Credit	Resilient Spaces	2	2
EQ Credit	Air Quality Testing and Monitoring	2	–

Ecological conservation and restoration	Col2	New Construction	Core and Shell
IP Prerequisite Tenant Guidelines	IP Prerequisite Tenant Guidelines	–	Required
IP Credit	Integrative Design Process	1	1
IP Credit	Green Leases	–	6
LT Credit	Sensitive Land Protection	1	1
LT Credit	Compact and Connected Development	6	6
SS Prerequisite	Minimized Site Disturbance	Required	Required
SS Credit	Biodiverse Habitat	2	2
SS Credit	Accessible Outdoor Space	1	1
SS Credit	Rainwater Management	3	3
SS Credit	Enhanced Resilient Site Design	2	2
SS Credit	Heat Island Reduction	2	2
SS Credit	Light Pollution Reduction	1	1
WE Prerequisite	Water Metering and Reporting	Required	Required
WE Prerequisite	Minimum Water Efficiency	Required	Required
WE Credit	Water Metering and Leak Detection	1	1
WE Credit	Enhanced Water Efficiency	8	7
MR Prerequisite	Planning for Zero Waste Operations	Required	Required
MR Credit	Building and Materials Reuse	3	5
MR Credit	Building Product Selection and Procurement	5	5
MR Credit	Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion	2	2
EQ Prerequisite	No Smoking or Vehicle Idling	Required	Required

Achievement pathways	Points
New Construction and Core and Shell	N/A
Climate and Natural Hazard Assessment

Project types	Options	Paths	Documentation
All	All	All	Evidence of the design charette date, the participants and their roles, and the name and company of the facilitator (e.g., the meeting notes for the design charettes).
All	All	All	The OPR defines the goals for synergy across building systems that address decarbonization, quality of life, and ecosystem conservation and restoration, including how success of each goal will be measured.

Achievement pathways	Points
Core and Shell	1–6
Option 1. Standard Green Lease	1–6
AND/OR
Option 2. Executed Standard Green Lease	1
AND/OR
Option 3. Green Lease Leaders Recognition	1–6

Number of additional best practices Incorporated into the lease	Points
Fewer than 3	1
4–6	2
7–9	3
10–12	4

Number of additional best practices Incorporated into the lease	Points
13–15	5
16 or more	6

Project types	Options	Paths	Documentation
All	Option 1. Previously Developed Sites	All	Description shows the previous development of the site.
All	Option 1. Previously Developed Sites	All	Vicinity map or aerial images shows the approximate areas of previous development on the site.
All	Option 2. Previously Undeveloped Sites	All	Site map(s) showing project boundary, development footprint, any previous development, any sensitive areas, topography, and any minor improvements in required buffers.
All	Option 2. Previously Undeveloped Sites	All	The project team that the criteria for prime farmland, flood hazard, notable habitat, waterbodies, wetlands, and steep slopes criteria were satisfied.
All	Option 2. Previously Undeveloped Sites	All	Estimated area of sensitive land avoided
All	Option 2. Previously Undeveloped Sites	Steep Slopes	Percentage of slopes by classification that have been developed or protected
All	Option 2. Previously Undeveloped Sites	Steep Slopes	Description on the protection of steep slope area according to classification or legal documents protecting slopes steeper than 15%.
All	Option 2. Previously Undeveloped Sites	Steep Slopes	Site survey or topographic map showing steep slope areas relative to project site

Achievement pathways	Points
New Construction and Core and Shell	1–2
Option 1. Priority Sites	1–2
Path 1. Brownfield Remediation	2
OR
Path 2. Historic Location	1
AND/OR
Option 2. Housing and Jobs Proximity	1–2
Path 1. Support Local Economy	1
OR
Path 2. Location-Efficient Affordable Housing	2
OR
Option 3. Equitable Construction	2
Schools	1–2
Options 1, 2, and/or 3	1–2
OR
Option 4. Equitable Access to Resources	2
Path 1. Public Use Spaces	1
AND/OR
Path 2. Community Partnership	1
Data Centers, Warehouses, and Distribution Centers	1–2
Options 1, 2, and/or 3	1–2
AND
Option 5. Sensitive Project Location

Project types	Options/ Paths	Paths	Documentation
All	Option 1. Standard Green Lease	All	The project’s standard green lease.
All	Option 1. Standard Green Lease	All	Evidence of the Core and Shell project owner‘s commitment to incorporating the green lease documentation in each future tenant lease (e.g., a digital signature by the Core and Shell Project Owner in LEED Online).
All	Option 2. Executed Standard Green Lease	All	For any spaces or systems intended to be fit-out by the project owner: identification of the standards for the future fit-out, incorporating the criteria referenced in the standard green lease document and the commitment to performing the fit-out(s) in accordance with these standards (e.g., a letter of commitment).
All	Option 3. Green Lease Leaders Recognition	All	Evidence of the Green Lease Leaders recognition, including level (e.g., a screenshot of the listing in the Green Lease Leaders database showing recognition level).

Achievement pathways	Points
New Construction and Core and Shell	1
Option 1. Previously Developed Sites	1
OR
Option 2. Previously Undeveloped Sites	1

Unit type	Requirements
Rental dwelling units	Rental units, at least 10% of the project’s total residential floor area, priced for up to 60% AMI.
For-sale dwelling units	For-sale units, at least 10% of the project’s total residential floor area, priced for up to 80% AMI.

Project types	Options	Paths	Documentation
All	Option 1. Priority Sites	Path 1. Brownfield Remediation	Documentation from authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) declaring existence of specific contamination and confirming that remediation has been completed to its satisfaction.
All	Option 1. Priority Sites	Path 2. Historic Location	Site map and vicinity map showing the project is within a historic district.
All	Option 1. Priority Sites	Path 2. Historic Location	Documentation from AHJ over historic district demonstrating the existence of the historic district (e.g., ordinance, growth management plan, government website with corresponding map, etc.).
All	Option 2. Housing and Jobs Proximity	Path 1. Support Local Economy	Description of types of jobs created by the project.
All	Option 2. Housing and Jobs Proximity	Path 1. Support Local Economy	Total number of construction jobs created by the project.
All	Option 2. Housing and Jobs Proximity	Path 1. Support Local Economy	Number of local construction jobs created by the project.
All	Option 2. Housing and Jobs Proximity	Path 1. Support Local Economy	Evidence of the contributing employed individuals live within the administrative district of the project site.
All	Option 2. Housing and Jobs Proximity	Path 2. Location Efficient Affordable Housing	Evidence of AMI thresholds (60% and 80%) using data from a governmental entity.
All	Option 2. Housing and Jobs Proximity	Path 2. Location Efficient Affordable Housing	Copy of legal documentation to maintain affordable rates for at least 15 years.
All	Option 2. Housing and Jobs Proximity	Path 2. Location Efficient Affordable Housing	Project’s total residential floor area.
All	Option 2. Housing and Jobs Proximity	Path 2. Location Efficient Affordable Housing	Confirmation of target gross floor area of rental dwelling units priced for up to 60% and/or 80% AMI.
All	Option 2. Housing and Jobs Proximity	Path 2. Location Efficient Affordable Housing	Number of affordable units created (rent and sale combined).
All	Option 2. Housing and Jobs Proximity	Path 2. Location Efficient Affordable Housing	Confirmation showing project meets Compact & Connected Development Options 2 or 3. OR Documentation demonstrating project is in a community where the jobs-housing ratio exceeds 1.2 within a 0.5 mile (800-meter) walking distance.
All	Option 3. Equitable Construction	All	Description of strategies to provide job-related skills training or life-skills training programs for construction workers and who is conducting the training.
Schools	Option 4. Equitable Access to Resources	Path 1. Public Use Spaces	Description of strategies to support accessibility to at least three school spaces and accessibility to toilets for public use.
Schools	Option 4. Equitable Access to Resources	Path 1. Public Use Spaces	Floor plan and/or site plan to show where the uses occur and access to toilets.
Schools	Option 4. Equitable Access to Resources	Path 2. Community Partnership	Description of strategies to support provision of at least two dedicated-use spaces and accessibility to toilets in the building for the community.
Schools	Option 4. Equitable Access to Resources	Path 2. Community Partnership	Floor plan and/or site plan to show where the uses occur and access to toilets.

Achievement pathways	Points
New Construction and Core and Shell	1–6
Option 1. Surrounding Density	1–2
AND/OR
Option 2. Access to Transit	1–4
Path 1. Public Transit Service	1–4
OR
Path 2. Project-Sponsored Transit Service	1–2
AND/OR
Option 3. Walkable Location	1–3
Schools	1–6
Options 1, 2, and/or 3	1–6
AND/OR
Option 4. Surrounding Density and Development	1–2
Path 1. Surrounding Density	1–2
AND/OR
Path 2. Connected Site	1–2
AND/OR
Option 5. Access to Transit or Pedestrian Access	1–4
Path 1. Access to Transit	1–4
OR
Path 2. Pedestrian Access	1–2
Data Centers, Warehouses, and Distribution Centers	1–6
Options 1, 2, and/or 3	1–6
AND/OR
Option 6. Surrounding Development and Resources	1–2
Path 1. Development and Adjacency	1–2
AND/OR
Path 2. Transportation Resources	1–2
Healthcare	1–6
Options 1, 2, and/or 3	1–6
AND/OR

Combined density	Col2	Separate density	Col4	Col5	Points
Square feet per acre of buildable land	Square meters per hectare of buildable land	Residential density (DU/acre)	Residential density (DU/hectare)	Nonresidential density (FAR)
22,000	5,050	7	17.5	0.5	1
35,000	8,035	12	30	0.8	2

Type of site	Points
Previously developed site that was used for industrial or commercial purposes.	1
Previously developed and adjacent site with bordering parcels currently used for industrial or commercial purposes.	2

Category	Use type
Food retail	Supermarket
Food retail	Grocery with produce section

Category	Use type
Community-serving retail	Convenience store
Community-serving retail	Farmers market
Community-serving retail	Hardware store
Community-serving retail	Pharmacy
Community-serving retail	Other retail
Services	Bank
Services	Family entertainment venue (e.g., theater, sports)
Services	Gym, health club, exercise studio
Services	Hair care
Services	Laundry, dry cleaner
Services	Restaurant, café, diner (excluding those with only drive-thru service)
Civic and community facilities	Adult or senior care (licensed)
Civic and community facilities	Childcare (licensed)
Civic and community facilities	Community or recreation center
Civic and community facilities	Cultural arts facility (e.g., museum, performing arts)
Civic and community facilities	Education facility (e.g., K–12 school, university, adult education center, vocational school, community college)
Civic and community facilities	Government office that serves public on-site
Civic and community facilities	Medical clinic or office that treats patients
Civic and community facilities	Place of worship
Civic and community facilities	Police or fire station
Civic and community facilities	Post office
Civic and community facilities	Public library
Civic and community facilities	Public park
Civic and community facilities	Social services center
Community anchor uses (BD+C and ID+C only)	Commercial office (e.g., 100 or more full-time equivalent jobs)

Project types	Options	Paths	Documentation
All	Option 1. Surrounding Density	Combined Density	Vicinity map showing buildable land, any non-buildable land excluded, project site, and footprints of existing buildings within 0.25 miles (400 meters) offset of project site.
All	Option 1. Surrounding Density	Combined Density	LEED v5 Surrounding Density calculator, completed for Combined Density.
All	Option 1. Surrounding Density	Combined Density	Combined density (in square feet, per acre, or square meters per hectare).
All	Option 1. Surrounding Density	Separate Density	Vicinity map showing buildable land, any non-buildable land excluded, project site, and footprints of existing residential and non-residential buildings within 0.25 miles (400 meters) offset of project site.
All	Option 1. Surrounding Density	Separate Density	LEED v5 Surrounding Density calculator, completed for Separate Density.
All	Option 1. Surrounding Density	Separate Density	Non-residential commercial density (in floor area ratio).
All	Option 1. Surrounding Density	Separate Density	Residential density (in dwelling units per acre or per hectare).
All	Option 2. Access to Transit	Path 1. Public Transit Service	Vicinity map indicating the project location, location of the transit stop(s), routes serving each stop, and the walking routes (with walking distance noted) between

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855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Full Extract

PDF Page 1

LEED v5 REFERENCE GUIDE

BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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PDF Page 11

PREFACE

THE CASE FOR GREEN BUILDING

ABOUT LEED

PDF Page 12

LEED’S GOALS

BENEFITS OF USING LEED

PDF Page 13

LEED CERTIFICATION PROCESS

PDF Page 14

GETTING STARTED

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

WHAT’S INSIDE

PDF Page 15

CREDIT CATEGORIES

RATING SYSTEM SELECTION

LEED FOR BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION (BD+C)

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LEED FOR INTERIOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION (ID+C)

LEED FOR BUILDING OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O+M)

PROJECT TYPE REQUIREMENTS

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PROJECTS WITH INCOMPLETE SPACE

PROJECT OCCUPANCY

REGULAR BUILDING OCCUPANTS

VISITORS

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DEFAULT OCCUPANCY COUNTS

AVERAGE VS. PEAK OCCUPANCY

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EQUIVALENCIES

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LEED PLATINUM REQUIREMENTS

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MINIMUM PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (MPR)

MPR 1. MUST BE IN A PERMANENT LOCATION ON EXISTING LAND

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

MPR 2. MUST USE REASONABLE LEED BOUNDARIES

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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MPR 3. MUST COMPLY WITH PROJECT SIZE REQUIREMENTS

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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RATING SYSTEM SCORECARDS

CREDIT CATEGORY VIEW

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IMPACT AREA VIEW

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INTEGRATIVE PROCESS, PLANNING, AND ASSESSMENTS (IP)

OVERVIEW

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CLIMATE RESILIENCE ASSESSMENT

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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REQUIREMENTS EXPLAINED

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Project types	Options	Paths	Documentation
			the location of the project functional entry and the stop(s).
			Weekday and weekend route schedules showing the frequency of trips and service.
			For any planned transit service, documentation of planned transit stops and stations sited, funded, and under construction by the date of the project’s certificate of occupancy and scheduled for completion within 24 months of that date.
		Path 2. Project- Sponsored Transit Service	Description of project-sponsored service and shelters meeting credit criteria.
		Path 2. Project- Sponsored Transit Service	Vicinity map indicating the project location, location of the transit stop(s), route(s) serving each stop, and the walking routes (with walking distance noted) between the location of the project functional entry and the stop(s).
		Path 2. Project- Sponsored Transit Service	Weekday and weekend route schedules showing the frequency of trips and service.
		Path 2. Project- Sponsored Transit Service	Verification (e.g., letter of assurance or agreement, etc.) that transit service will be provided for at least three years from the project’s certificate of occupancy.
	Option 3. Walkable Location	Location Efficiency	Walk Score® document (e.g., screenshot) showing the score for the project’s address.
	Option 3. Walkable Location	Location Efficiency	Project’s Walk Score®.
	Option 3. Walkable Location	Public Uses	Vicinity map and table of uses identified by type of uses accessible within 0.5 miles (800 meters) walking distances.
Schools	Option 4. Surrounding Density and Development	Path 1. Surrounding Density	Same as Option 1.
Schools	Option 4. Surrounding Density and Development	Path 2. Connected Site	Documentation confirming previous developed status of the site.
Schools	Option 4. Surrounding Density and Development	Path 2. Connected Site	Percent of contiguous project perimeter or boundary bordering previously developed parcels (must be at least 25% for adjacent site status).
Schools	Option 4. Surrounding Density and Development	Path 2. Connected Site	Percent of project perimeter or boundary bordering previously developed parcels (must be at least 75% for infill status).
Schools	Option 4. Surrounding Density and Development	Path 2. Connected Site	Site plan or vicinity map showing previously developed parcels adjacent to the project boundary with notes confirming adjacent or infill site status.
Schools	Option 5. Access to Transit or Pedestrian Access	Path 1. Access to Transit	Same as Option 2.
Schools	Option 5. Access to Transit or Pedestrian Access	Path 2. Pedestrian Access	Vicinity map showing walkshed boundary for each grade/age level, functional entry of school building and estimated calculations of dwelling units (%) within each walkshed boundary.
Schools	Option 5. Access to Transit or Pedestrian Access	Path 2. Pedestrian Access	Confirmation of pedestrian access to the site from all residential areas in the attendance boundary.

Project types	Options	Paths	Documentation
Data Centers, Warehouses and Distribution Centers	Option 6. Surrounding Development and Resources	Path 1. Development and Adjacency	Site plan or vicinity map showing project, its previous development, and use.
Data Centers, Warehouses and Distribution Centers	Option 6. Surrounding Development and Resources	Path 1. Development and Adjacency	Documentation confirming adjacent site status.
Data Centers, Warehouses and Distribution Centers	Option 6. Surrounding Development and Resources	Path 1. Development and Adjacency	Calculation showing the percentage of contiguous project perimeter or boundary bordering previously developed parcels (must be at least 25% for adjacent site status).
Data Centers, Warehouses and Distribution Centers	Option 6. Surrounding Development and Resources	Path 2. Transportation Resources	Site plan or vicinity map showing project site, location and type of transportation resources, and driving distance to each.
Data Centers, Warehouses and Distribution Centers	Option 6. Surrounding Development and Resources	Path 2. Transportation Resources	If planned transportation resources are counted, verification that they will be sited, funded and under construction by date of project’s certificate of occupancy and complete within 24 months of that date.
Healthcare	Option 7. Surrounding Density	All	Documentation in accordance with Option 1. with rural healthcare campus sites demonstrating achievement of minimum development density of 30,000 square feet per acre (6,890 square meters per hectare).

Achievement pathways	Points
New Construction and Core and Shell	1–4
Transportation Demand Assessment
AND
Option 1. Parking	1–3
Path 1. Reduce Parking	1–3
AND/OR
Path 2. Parking Fee	2
AND/OR
Option 2. Active Travel Facilities	1–3
Path 1. Bicycle Network and Storage	1
AND/OR
Path 2. Shower and Changing Facilities	1
AND/OR
Path 3. Bicycle Maintenance	1

Reduced parking percentage	Points
30% reduction from base ratios	1
60% reduction from base ratios	2
100% reduction from base ratios (no parking)	3

Col1	Commercial, institutional, schools, healthcare	Residential	Mixed use	Retail
Short- term storage	At least 2.5% of all peak visitors but no fewer than four spaces per building.	At least 2.5% of all peak visitors but no fewer than four spaces per building.	Meet the storage requirements for the nonresidential and residential portions of the project separately.	At least two short- term bicycle storage spaces for every 5,000 square feet (465 square meters) but no fewer than two storage spaces per building.
Long- term storage	At least 5% of all regular building occupants but no fewer than four storage spaces per building, in addition to short-term storage.	At least 15% of all regular building occupants but no fewer than one storage space per three dwelling units, in addition to short term storage spaces.	At least 15% of all regular building occupants but no fewer than one storage space per three dwelling units, in addition to short term storage spaces.	At least 5% of regular building occupants but no fewer than two storage spaces per building in addition to the short-term bicycle storage spaces.

Project types	Options	Paths	Documentation
All	All	Not Claiming TDA Exemption	USGBC TDM assessment calculator.
All	All	Not Claiming TDA Exemption	Baseline VMT.
All	All	Not Claiming TDA Exemption	Proposed VMT.
All	All	Not Claiming TDA Exemption	Baseline emissions from VMT.
All	All	Not Claiming TDA Exemption	Proposed emissions from VMT.
All	All	Not Claiming TDA Exemption	Description of availability of alternative low-carbon and active travel options.
All	All	Claiming TDA Exemption	Documentation showing participation in a local or regional government mandated TDM program.
All	All	Claiming TDA Exemption	Documentation showing project is an affordable housing project in an infill location.
All	All	Claiming TDA Exemption	Documentation showing project (office, mixed-use, residential, or retail) is located within a Transit Priority Area or within 0.5 miles (800 meters) walking distance of an existing or planned major transit stop.
All	Option 1. Parking	Path 1. Reduce Parking	Calculations demonstrating the percent reduction in parking capacity from baseline.
All	Option 1. Parking	Path 1. Reduce Parking	Parking Plan or Site Plan showing the LEED boundary and the parking used by the project.
All	Option 1. Parking	Path 2. Parking Fee	Narrative identifying the parking fees and explaining how the rate charged is equal to or greater than the local market rate for parking.
All	Option 1. Parking	Path 2. Parking Fee	Documentation confirming local market parking rate.

Project types	Options	Paths	Documentation
	Option 2. Active Travel Facilities	Path 1. Bicycle Network and Storage	Vicinity map showing bicycle network meeting the required criteria and walking/bicycling distance of functional building entrance and/or bicycle storage to existing or planned bicycle network.
	Option 2. Active Travel Facilities	Path 1. Bicycle Network and Storage	Evidence that any sidewalks contributing as part of the bicycle network are permitted for bicycle use by local code (e.g., excerpt of the code).
	Option 2. Active Travel Facilities	Path 1. Bicycle Network and Storage	Site Plan showing main and functional building entrances, short-term bicycle storage and long-term bicycle storage and shared micromobility storage (if applicable), walking distance from short-term storage to the main entrance and from long-term storage to a functional entrance.
	Option 2. Active Travel Facilities	Path 1. Bicycle Network and Storage	Calculations documenting the percentage of occupants for which short-term bike storage is provided.
	Option 2. Active Travel Facilities	Path 1. Bicycle Network and Storage	Calculations documenting the percentage of occupants for which long-term bike storage is provided.
	Option 2. Active Travel Facilities	Path 2. Shower and Changing Facilities	Site plan showing shower and changing facilities location and walking distance within 0.25 miles (400 meters) for off-site facilities.
	Option 2. Active Travel Facilities	Path 2. Shower and Changing Facilities	Calculation documenting the percentage of regular building occupants with access provided to showers with changing facilities.
	Option 2. Active Travel Facilities	Path 2. Shower and Changing Facilities	For large occupancy projects, the number of project occupants to determine the number of on-site showers required.
	Option 2. Active Travel Facilities	Path 2. Shower and Changing Facilities	For large occupancy projects, the number of on-site showers with changing facilities provided.
	Option 2. Active Travel Facilities	Path 3. Bicycle Maintenance	Evidence of a permanent, secure bicycle maintenance facility demonstrating complete set of tools and air pump securely fastened to the repair stand (e.g., product information from the manufacturer, photographs, contract specification).
	Option 2. Active Travel Facilities	Path 3. Bicycle Maintenance	Evidence of location of the bicycle maintenance facility in the area dedicated to long-term bicycle storage (e.g., contract documents).
Retail	Retail	Path 1. Bicycle Network and Storage	Number of short-term bike storage spaces provided.
Schools	Schools	Path 1. Bicycle Network and Storage	Evidence demonstrating dedicated bicycle lanes or sidewalks, if applicable, that extend from the student bike parking location to the end of the school property, at minimum, without any barriers.

Achievement pathways	Points
New Construction and Core and Shell	1–2
Option 1: Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment	1–2
AND/OR
Option 2: Electric Vehicle Readiness	1

Commercial minimum EVSE parking	Points
5% or at least two spaces, whichever is greater	1
10% or at least four spaces, whichever is greater	2
Residential minimum EVSE parking	Points
10% or at least five spaces, whichever is greater	1
15% or at least 10 spaces, whichever is greater	2

Project types	Options	Paths	Documentation
All	Option 1. Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment	All	Site plan identifying all parking spaces the project, and all parking spaces with EVSE.
All	Option 1. Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment	All	Confirmation that the accessible parking space is at least 9 feet (2.5-meters) wide, has a five-foot (1.5- meters) access aisle, and has charging station accessibility features for use by people with mobility, ambulatory, and/or visual limitations.
All	Option 1. Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment	All	Calculation documenting the percentage of parking spaces with EVSE (including break-out for accessible parking spaces).
All	Option 1. Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment	All	Evidence that the EVSE meet all criteria identified in the credit requirements (e.g., product information from manufacturer or contract specification).
All	Option 2. Electric Vehicle Readiness	All	Site plan identifying all parking spaces used by the project and the total number of EV-ready spaces, including clear identification of at least 1 EVSE in an accessible parking space.
All	Option 2. Electric Vehicle Readiness	All	Calculation documenting the percentage of parking spaces that are EV-Ready.
All	Option 2. Electric Vehicle Readiness	All	Evidence that each EV-Ready parking space has the necessary electrical infrastructure to support the installation of an EV charger including a 40-amp panel capacity, dedicated 208/240V branch circuit, and conduit (raceway) with electrical wiring terminating at a receptacle or junction box for the parking space (e.g., contract documents).