In the Step-by-Step Guidance of the credit it is stated: 'This credit can also be achieved by projects that have no landscape area'.
In v3 you must have a minimum vegetaded area of 5% of the Project boundary in order to apply this credit. In the section 'Changes from LEED 2009' this requirement is not mentioned as being changed.
Do you think this credit is achievable if no vegetaded space is provided?
Bazeeth Ahamed K M
Conserve Green Building and MEP Solutions WLL4 thumbs up
April 30, 2015 - 4:38 am
I have the same question as well. I came across the forum in Water use reduction - Cooling Tower which states that
"Generally in LEED you have to do something in order to earn a point rather than avoid doing something to earn the point."
In this case a project without landscape can earn points?
Trista Brown
Project DirectorWSP USA
449 thumbs up
May 1, 2015 - 6:25 pm
It does seem strange that the credit can be earned for not including landscaping in the design. But this is very explicitly stated in the Step by Step section as you note and so until official guidance comes out stating otherwise I think you should be able to earn this credit with no landscaping via Option 1. It's also the case that EBOM v4 projects can earn the equivalent credit by having no landscaping, so I don't think this is unintentional.
Azfar Mohamed
3 thumbs up
June 28, 2020 - 12:42 am
Hi Guys,
Yes we are eligible to earn two points via option 1 if no landscaping area provided in the project.
Here is the reply from GBCI to my inquiry:
Thank you for contacting GBCI regarding WEc Outdoor Water Use Reduction. Projects with no landscaping are eligible for Option 1 of this credit. Step 2 of the Step by Step Guidance in the LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide states, "Option 1 is for projects that do not require irrigation, based on the project location and landscape design. This credit can also be achieved by projects that have no landscape area."
Hope this help those who are looking for clarification.
Thanks,
Azfar