“Calculate the development density for the project by dividing the total square footage of the building by the total site area in acres (Equation 1).”
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Requirements
Option 1: Development density
Construct or renovate a building on a previously developed site AND in a community with a minimum density of 60,000 square feet per acre net (13,800 square meters per hectare net). The density calculation is based on a typical two-story downtown development and must include the area of the project being built.OR
Option 2: Community connectivity
Construct or renovate a building on a site that meets the following criteria:- Is located on a previously developed site
- Is within 1/2 mile of a residential area or neighborhood with an average density of 10 units per acre net
- Is within 1/2 mile of at least 10 basic services
- Has pedestrian access between the building and the services
- Bank
- Place of Worship
- Convenience Grocery
- Day Care Center
- Cleaners
- Fire Station
- Beauty Salon
- Hardware
- Laundry
- Library
- Medical or Dental Office
- Senior Care Facility
- Park
- Pharmacy
- Post Office
- Restaurant
- School
- Supermarket
- Theater
- Community Center
- Fitness Center
- Museum
Credit substitution available
You may use the LEED v4 version of this credit on v2009 projects. For more information check out this article.Streamlined path available
Achievement of this credit can be documented via a LEED ND v2009 submittal. For more information check out this article.SITES-LEED Equivalency
This LEED credit (or a component of this credit) has been established as equivalent to a SITES v2 credit or component. For more information on using the equivalency as a substitution in your LEED or SITES project, see this article and guidance document.What does it cost?
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Is my site previously developed?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.) |
What exactly does LEED mean by residential neighborhood or area?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.) |
Only a portion of my complying residential development lies within the ½-mile radius. Will this suffice for credit compliance?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.) |
Where do I draw the radius from?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.) |
Is one building or residential area enough to satisfy the residential density requirement?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.) |
My project has access to services that seem to be basic, but are not listed in the LEED Reference Guide—like insurance company, nail salon, auto repair shop. Will these count?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.) |
My project is on a base or campus where some services are available to the population of the project, but not the general public. Do these count?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.) |
For Option 2, does the residential neighborhood with average density of 10 units per net acre have to be existing, or can planned neighborhoods count towards earning this option?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.) |
What site area should be used for an interiors project when figuring out the density radius? The building site area, or building footprint?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.) |
Addenda
“Calculate the development density for the project by dividing the total square footage of the building by the total site area in acres (Equation 1).”
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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Option 1: Development density
Construct or renovate a building on a previously developed site AND in a community with a minimum density of 60,000 square feet per acre net (13,800 square meters per hectare net). The density calculation is based on a typical two-story downtown development and must include the area of the project being built.OR
Option 2: Community connectivity
Construct or renovate a building on a site that meets the following criteria:- Is located on a previously developed site
- Is within 1/2 mile of a residential area or neighborhood with an average density of 10 units per acre net
- Is within 1/2 mile of at least 10 basic services
- Has pedestrian access between the building and the services
- Bank
- Place of Worship
- Convenience Grocery
- Day Care Center
- Cleaners
- Fire Station
- Beauty Salon
- Hardware
- Laundry
- Library
- Medical or Dental Office
- Senior Care Facility
- Park
- Pharmacy
- Post Office
- Restaurant
- School
- Supermarket
- Theater
- Community Center
- Fitness Center
- Museum
Credit substitution available
You may use the LEED v4 version of this credit on v2009 projects. For more information check out this article.Streamlined path available
Achievement of this credit can be documented via a LEED ND v2009 submittal. For more information check out this article.SITES-LEED Equivalency
This LEED credit (or a component of this credit) has been established as equivalent to a SITES v2 credit or component. For more information on using the equivalency as a substitution in your LEED or SITES project, see this article and guidance document.XX%
Upgrade to LEEDuser Premium to see how many projects achieved this credit. Try it free »
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- Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
- Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.
Is my site previously developed?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.) |
What exactly does LEED mean by residential neighborhood or area?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.) |
Only a portion of my complying residential development lies within the ½-mile radius. Will this suffice for credit compliance?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.) |
Where do I draw the radius from?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.) |
Is one building or residential area enough to satisfy the residential density requirement?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.) |
My project has access to services that seem to be basic, but are not listed in the LEED Reference Guide—like insurance company, nail salon, auto repair shop. Will these count?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.) |
My project is on a base or campus where some services are available to the population of the project, but not the general public. Do these count?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.) |
For Option 2, does the residential neighborhood with average density of 10 units per net acre have to be existing, or can planned neighborhoods count towards earning this option?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.) |
What site area should be used for an interiors project when figuring out the density radius? The building site area, or building footprint?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.) |
“Calculate the development density for the project by dividing the total square footage of the building by the total site area in acres (Equation 1).”