For all projects, parking capacity cannot exceed minimum local code compliance. If new or existing parking is provided in your project, at least 5% of the spaces must be reserved as preferred parking for carpools. Additionally, your total parking capacity must be a percentage reduction below the base ratios recommended by the Parking Consultants Council.
This credit has different requirements depending on the other LT credits the project is able to achieve. If points are achieved for Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses or Access to Quality Transit, the amount of parking must be reduced to 40% below the base ratios.
If your project is not pursuing either of those credits, you only have to reduce the amount of parking to 20% below the base ratios.
Strategies to reduce the number of parking spaces needed for your project include:
- Providing transit subsidies for building users
- Allowing telecommuting
- Allowing a compressed workweek schedule
- Providing a shuttle service between transit stops and the project building
- Selling or renting residential units separately from parking
What’s New in the LEED v4.1 beta
There are three new options to earn the one point available for this credit:
- Option 1: No Off-Street Parking is somewhat self-explanatory.
- Option 3: Car-share awards a point for dedicating a car-share parking spot for each 100 occupants.
- Option 4: Unbundling Parking allows projects to earn a point by leasing parking separately from residential units of office space. This means that projects may design buildings to have a market- or code-driven number of parking spots, but the option to earn a point by unbundling or encouraging car sharing.
What’s New in LEED v4
- There are now consistent requirements for nonresidential and residential projects, and for both New Construction and Core and Shell.
- USGBC added a baseline reference to the third-party standard, ITE Transportation Planning Handbook, 3rd edition, Tables 18-2 through 18-4.
- Points are no longer awarded for providing no new off-street parking. Existing parking used by the project must also adhere to credit requirements.