Credit achievement rate
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LEEDuser expert
Trista Brown
LEED AP O+M, BD+C, Fitwel Ambassador
WSP USA
Project Director
LEEDuser’s viewpoint
Frank advice from LEED experts
LEED is changing all the time, and every project is unique. Even seasoned professionals can miss a critical detail and lose a credit or even a prerequisite at the last minute. Our expert advice guides our LEEDuser Premium members and saves you valuable time.
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LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Have an environmentally sensitive management plan in place for the site’s natural components. The plan must employ best management practices that significantly reduce harmful chemical use, energy waste, water waste, air pollution, solid waste and/or chemical runoff (e.g., gasoline, oil, antifreeze, salts) compared with standard practices. The plan must address all of the following operational elements:
- Outdoor integrated pest management (IPM), defined as managing outdoor pests (plants, fungi, insects, and/or animals) in a way that protects human health and the surrounding environment and that improves economic returns through the most effective, least-risk option. IPM calls for the use of least toxic chemical pesticides, minimum use of the chemicals, use only in targeted locations, and use only for targeted species. IPM requires routine inspection and monitoring. The outdoor IPM plan must address all the specific IPM requirements listed in IEQ Credit 3.6: Green Cleaning: Indoor Integrated Pest Management, including preferred use of nonchemical methods, definition of emergency conditions and universal notification (advance notice of not less than 72 hours under normal conditions and 24 hours in emergencies before a pesticide, other than a least-toxic pesticide, is applied in a building or on surrounding grounds that the building management maintains). The outdoor IPM plan must also be integrated with any indoor IPM plan for the building, as appropriate.
- Erosion and sedimentation control for ongoing landscape operations (where applicable) and future construction activity. The plan must address both site soil and potential construction materials. The plan must also include measures that prevent erosion and sedimentation, prevent air pollution from dust or particulate matter and restore eroded areas.
- Diversion of landscape waste from the waste stream via mulching, composting or other low-impact means.
- Chemical fertilizer use. The use of artificial chemicals can be minimized by the use of locally adapted plants that need no fertilizer, less-polluting alternatives to artificial chemicals, or other low-impact maintenance practices.
What does it cost?
Cost estimates for this credit
On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.
Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
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LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
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Frequently asked questions
Are any of the components of the SSc3 plan optional? What if no landscaping areas or planter boxes are in the LEED project boundary? What if I have a zero lot line property?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
A pest control product we used is not on the San Francisco Pesticide Hazard Screening List, but I’m pretty certain that it qualifies as least toxic. What steps can I take to confirm this and document it for the LEED submittal?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Our project grounds are fully landscaped with established vegetation. What should I do for the erosion and sedimentation control plan?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
There are no construction or renovation projects planned for our project building. Can I skip the erosion and sedimentation control plan for construction activities?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
How do I document my project’s landscape waste diversion performance? We don’t divert 100% from landfills, but we do meet the 20% diversion threshold required by the credit.The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Checklists
Step by step to LEED certification
LEEDuser’s checklists walk you through the key action steps you need to earn a credit, including how to avoid common pitfalls and save money.
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LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
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Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
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LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
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Get the inside scoop
Our editors have written a detailed analysis of nearly every LEED credit, and LEEDuser premium members get full access. We’ll tell you whether the credit is easy to accomplish or better left alone, and we provide insider tips on how to document it successfully.
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LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
( does not provide premium access to LEEDuser)
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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Have an environmentally sensitive management plan in place for the site’s natural components. The plan must employ best management practices that significantly reduce harmful chemical use, energy waste, water waste, air pollution, solid waste and/or chemical runoff (e.g., gasoline, oil, antifreeze, salts) compared with standard practices. The plan must address all of the following operational elements:
- Outdoor integrated pest management (IPM), defined as managing outdoor pests (plants, fungi, insects, and/or animals) in a way that protects human health and the surrounding environment and that improves economic returns through the most effective, least-risk option. IPM calls for the use of least toxic chemical pesticides, minimum use of the chemicals, use only in targeted locations, and use only for targeted species. IPM requires routine inspection and monitoring. The outdoor IPM plan must address all the specific IPM requirements listed in IEQ Credit 3.6: Green Cleaning: Indoor Integrated Pest Management, including preferred use of nonchemical methods, definition of emergency conditions and universal notification (advance notice of not less than 72 hours under normal conditions and 24 hours in emergencies before a pesticide, other than a least-toxic pesticide, is applied in a building or on surrounding grounds that the building management maintains). The outdoor IPM plan must also be integrated with any indoor IPM plan for the building, as appropriate.
- Erosion and sedimentation control for ongoing landscape operations (where applicable) and future construction activity. The plan must address both site soil and potential construction materials. The plan must also include measures that prevent erosion and sedimentation, prevent air pollution from dust or particulate matter and restore eroded areas.
- Diversion of landscape waste from the waste stream via mulching, composting or other low-impact means.
- Chemical fertilizer use. The use of artificial chemicals can be minimized by the use of locally adapted plants that need no fertilizer, less-polluting alternatives to artificial chemicals, or other low-impact maintenance practices.
XX%
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Got the gist of SSc3 but not sure how to actually achieve it? LEEDuser gives step-by-step help. Premium members get:
- Checklists covering all the key action steps you'll need to earn the credit.
- Hot tips to give you shortcuts and avoid pitfalls.
- Cost tips to assess what a credit will actually cost, and how to make it affordable.
- Ideas for going beyond LEED with best practices.
- All checklists organized by project phase.
- On-the-fly suggestions of useful items from the Documentation Toolkit and Credit Language.
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For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium
LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
( does not provide premium access to LEEDuser)
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In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit, for premium members only, saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:
- Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
- Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
- Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
- Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
- Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
- Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.
This article is BuildingGreen Premium content
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To read the full article, subscribe now to BuildingGreen Premium
For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium
LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
( does not provide premium access to LEEDuser)
Go premium for just $... » Go premium for just $... » Firm or campus members – click here »Your 15-day free trial expired on
Already a premium member? Log in now
Are any of the components of the SSc3 plan optional? What if no landscaping areas or planter boxes are in the LEED project boundary? What if I have a zero lot line property?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
A pest control product we used is not on the San Francisco Pesticide Hazard Screening List, but I’m pretty certain that it qualifies as least toxic. What steps can I take to confirm this and document it for the LEED submittal?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Our project grounds are fully landscaped with established vegetation. What should I do for the erosion and sedimentation control plan?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
There are no construction or renovation projects planned for our project building. Can I skip the erosion and sedimentation control plan for construction activities?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
How do I document my project’s landscape waste diversion performance? We don’t divert 100% from landfills, but we do meet the 20% diversion threshold required by the credit.The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
LEEDuser expert
Trista Brown
LEED AP O+M, BD+C, Fitwel Ambassador
WSP USA
Project Director
