Building Footprint

When defining the building footprint it can be difficult to distinguish between "inside" and "outside" in some climate regions when there are transitional spaces that are open to the outside but partially enclosed. The project team will need to decide on where to draw that boundary and be able to explain it if questioned by a reviewer. Without knowing more about the space under your overhang it is difficult to say for sure, but it sounds like it would be considered "hardscape" area that would be outside the building footprint. If so, that hardscape could count toward SSc5.2. If you are earning SSc2, pedestrian oriented hardscape can be counted toward SSc5.2, but if not then only the landscaped area would be counted. Since the SSc5.1 credit is earned by creating habitat, and not just ornamental plantings, turf grass and plants in containers don't qualify to be included. It might be possible for plantings under a canopy to be considered "habitat" if they are native and adaptive plants, and are large enough area - you may have to make a good case that they should be included.