Each rating system is made of 3 elements and requirements that are necessary for a project to earn certification. They are:
- Minimum Program Requirements, Prerequisites & Credits
In order for a project to be eligible for LEED certification, it must meet certain minimum program requirements. There are 3 reasons for this:
1. To give clear guidance to customers
2. To protect the integrity of the LEED program
3. Reduce challenges that may arise during certification
LEED projects MUST comply with each applicable MPR, as described below.
Minimum Program Requirement MPR Notes
Environmental Laws NC, CS, CI & Schools:
1. Must comply with federal, state and local environmental laws
2. Must be satisfied from schematic design through certificate of occupancy / ready for use
O&M:
must be satisfied from performance period through expiration date of LEED Certification
Complete, Permanent Project For all LEED Rating Systems:
-Must be on a permanent location on land that already exists
NC, CS, Schools:
1. Must include at least one building in its entirety
2. Construction prerequisites and credits cannot be submitted for review until substantial completion of construction
CI:
1. Must include a complete interior space separate from other spaces with respect to: ownership, management, lease, & party walls
2. Construction prerequisites and credits cannot be submitted for review until completion of construction
O&M:
-Must include one existing building in its entirety
Reasonable Site Boundary For all LEED Rating Systems:
1. LEED project boundary includes all land that was or will be disturbed for the LEED project that is owned by the LEED project party
2. Manipulation of boundaries (gerrymandering) is not allowed
Minimum Floor Area Requirements NC, CS, Schools, O&M:
-Minimum gross floor area: 1,000 sq. ft.
CI:
-Minimum gross floor area: 250 sq. ft.
Minimum Occupancy Rates For all LEED Rating Systems:
-Must have 1 or more Full Time Equivalent Occupants
O&M (additionally):
-Building systems must be operating for a period of at least 12 months prior to submission for a review
Sharing Energy & Water Usage Data For all LEED Rating Systems:
-Project must grant the USGBC and GBCI access to whole-building energy & water usage data for a period of at least 5 years
Minimum Building Area to Site Ratio For all LEED Rating Systems:
-The LEED project's total gross cloor area must be at least 2% of the gross land area within the LEED project boundary
Remember, if a project fails to meet even one of the MPRs listed above, it cannot be eligible for LEED certification.