Our project has less than 1% landscape area vs site area and therefore negligible potable water consumption for irrigation. According to the LEED criteria, this means that 4 credits will be lost (or 'not eligible') despite meeting the same credit intent as projects that provide lots of landscape and use recycled water to irrigate it.
Has this issue been raised with the USGBC previously since it seems as though projects are penalised for not installing any landscape even though the same outcome is being achieved?
In other rating tools, projects with no landscaping are rewarded for not using potable water for landscaping.
Any experiences you can share will be much appreciated.
Mike D
56 thumbs up
September 5, 2013 - 12:51 pm
Hi Mary,
LEED asks for a minimum of 5% landscaped area in order to target this credit. I don't think they would accept water reduction targets if the landscaped area is really small.
Geoffrey QUINTAS NEVES
September 13, 2013 - 12:33 pm
Hi,
where can I find the "minimum 5% landscaping area" rule?
Erika Duran
Sustainability ConsultantDagher Engineering
72 thumbs up
September 18, 2013 - 1:36 pm
Geoffrey - you find this in the LEED NC 2009 reference guide under STEP 6 in my reference guide it is page 182
Len Sciarra
architect5 thumbs up
February 27, 2014 - 12:49 pm
Hi - the reference guide talks about "without vegetation on the ground". (see previous posts for page numbers) I take that to mean for projects with NO in ground landscape, (urban, zero lot line projects, all sidewalk, etc...) the 5% rule applies.
For urban projects where one perhaps has 3 or 4 street trees "IN" the ground, does the 5% rule apply? I suppose it comes down to the definition of "on the ground"? thoughts?
Jens Apel
134 thumbs up
July 25, 2014 - 4:19 am
In your example the 5% would not apply. I had the same concern in a project and submitted a CIR. Part of the response is copied below. If you read the Reference Guide word-by-word it says exactly the same, which does not always make sense. In theory one squarefoot of vegetation on a billion squarefoot property would enough. But I agree to "what is the definition of on the ground".
CIR response:
However, please note that it is acceptable for this urban project to pursue WEc1 if there is landscaping or vegetation on the project grounds. Only projects that do not have vegetation installed on the ground must demonstrate that any above ground installed landscaping (planters, courtyards, or on roof terraces) covers at least 5% of the building site area as outlined in the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction, 2009 Edition (Updated June 2010).
Joanna Jenkins
GreeNexus Consulting45 thumbs up
November 5, 2014 - 12:12 pm
Do you know the CIR number? I have a project with a similar condition (urban site where the only landscaping is a few street trees). Thanks
Andrey Kuznetsov
ESG consultant, LEED AP BD+CSelf Employed
5 thumbs up
November 5, 2014 - 3:56 pm
Dear Joanna,
You can check it in at LEED Online form (avaliable at "documentation toolkit"), were option to calculate the 5 % of area not on the ground is opening only when you will check box at "Project conditions do not allow for installation of vegetation on the grounds".