LEED v5 O+M Rating System_February 2026 - Page 028

Extracted Content

SUSTAINABLE SITES

Sustainable Sites Credit

HEAT ISLAND REDUCTION

SSc1

1 point

INTENT

To mitigate disparate impacts on microclimates and habitats caused by heat islands and extreme heat events.

REQUIREMENTS

Achievement Pathways	Points
Existing Buildings	1
Heat Island Reduction Strategies

Implement strategies to minimize the project’s overall contribution to heat island effects that meet the criteria outlined in Equation 1:

Equation 1. Nonroof and roof calculation

[Total site ]

paving area [+Total roof ] area

area

Area of nonroof measures

0.5

Area of highre�lectance roof

0.75

Area of vegetated roof

≥ [Total site ] 0.5 paving area

Alternatively, a solar reflectance index (SRI) and solar reflectance (SR) weighted average approach may be used to calculate compliance.

Use any combination of nonroof, high-reflectance roof, and vegetative roof strategies so that the weighted sum of site design strategies is greater than or equal to the sum of the total pavement and roof areas. Each surface may only be counted once, even if it is addressed through multiple strategies.

Nonroof Measures

• Provide shade over pavement areas, measured in plain view at noon, through:

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Operations and Maintenance, November 2025 Edition 22