IMPORTANT TERMS

Gross floor area

Project square footage for certification fee pricing should be based upon the definition of Gross Floor Area which is provided in the LEED 2009 MPR Supplemental Guidance

Sum of the floor areas of the spaces within the building, including basements, mezzanine and intermediate‐floored tiers, and penthouses with headroom height of 7.5 ft (2.2 meters) or greater. Measurements must be taken from the exterior faces of exterior walls OR from the centerline of walls separating buildings, OR (for LEED CI certifying spaces) from the centerline of walls separating spaces. Excludes non‐enclosed (or non‐enclosable) roofed‐over areas such as exterior covered walkways, porches, terraces or steps, roof overhangs, and similar features. Excludes air shafts, pipe trenches, and chimneys. (Based on ASHRAE definition)

However, all parking areas (whether underground, structured, or at grade) should be excluded from the square footage calculations used to determine the certification fee.  Other spaces such as common areas, mechanical spaces, and circulation should be included in the gross square footage of the building.

Expedited Surcharge

The expedited surcharge for reviews and appeals is in addition to regular review fee. Availability of expedited review timelines is limited based on GBCI capacity. Contact GBCI at least ten (10) business days prior to submitting an application to request an expedited review.

Precertification

Precertification is available only for projects using the LEED-CS rating system. For projects seeking to use the 2010 AGMBC with LEED-CS Precertification process, please contact GBCI for a promo code prior to submitting for certification review. View more details on precertification »

Project CIRs and LEED Interpretations

The Project Credit Interpretation Ruling (Project CIR) process is designed to allow Project Teams to obtain technical guidance on how LEED requirements including Minimum Program Requirements (MPR), Prerequisites, and Credits pertain to their projects. Project teams may also elect to have Project CIRs elevated to LEED Interpretations and reviewed by USGBC. View more information on Project CIRs »

Recertification (for O+M only)

Only projects that have been previously certified under LEED for Existing Buildings or LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance are recertifications. For more information on the difference between initial certification and recertification, please consult the Introduction of the LEED 2009 Reference Guide for Green Building Operations & Maintenance.

LEED ND Projects over 320 Acres

It is strongly recommended that projects greater than 320 acres take advantage of the LEED ND Introductory Call prior to submission. Due to the potential hardships larger projects may have in meeting certain requirements of LEED ND, such as the distance and proximity requirements, GBCI encourages the separation of projects larger than 320 acres into separate LEED ND applications each less than 320 acres. Note that each LEED ND application must pay a separate registration fee.

Appeals

GBCI makes every effort to ensure that all application reviews are of the highest quality. In the event that a project team wishes to appeal a final decision of a LEED review team, GBCI will conduct an appeal review subject to the following conditions:

LEED ND Appeals

Appeal reviews are available for SLL Prerequisite Reviews and Full Stage reviews.

Complex Credit Appeals

Effective September 16, 2011, GBCI increased the appeal fee for specific credits to $800. The fee increase impacts the following credits exclusively. The fee increase will help cover costs to review these complex credits. Appeal fees for all other credits and CIRs will not change.

View GBCI's 2011 Form W-9.