BUILDING CERTIFICATION

Learn about certifying projects in the LEED Rating Systems™ and how each Rating System is tailored to encourage and accelerate global adoption of sustainable green building, operations, and neighborhood development practices.


LEED for
New Construction

LEED for Schools

LEED for
Core and Shell

LEED for Commercial
Interiors

LEED for
Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance

LEED for
Neighborhood Development

LEED Italia

LEED FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION & MAJOR RENOVATIONS

LEED for New Construction was designed primarily for new commercial office buildings, but it has been applied to many other building types by LEED practitioners. All commercial buildings, as defined by standard building codes, are eligible for certification as LEED for New Construction buildings. Examples of commercial occupancies include offices, institutional buildings like libraries, museums and churches, hotels, and residential buildings of four or more habitable stories.


LEED for New Construction addresses design and construction activities for both new buildings and major renovations of existing buildings. A major renovation involves major HVAC renovation, significant envelope modifications, and major interior rehabilitation. Choose LEED for New Construction for a major renovation of an existing building, involving significant design and construction activities.


View more information and the Certification Guide

Learn about USGBC's LEED for New Construction & Major Renovations Rating Systems

 

LEED FOR SCHOOLS

LEED for Schools addresses design and construction activities for both new school buildings and major renovations of existing school buildings. LEED for Schools is for the construction or major renovation of an academic building on K-12 school grounds.



LEED for Schools recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools. By addressing the uniqueness of school spaces and children’s health issues, LEED for Schools provides a unique, comprehensive tool for schools that wish to build green with measurable results. The rating system addresses issues such as classroom acoustics, daylight and views, mold prevention, and environmental site assessment.

View more information and the Certification Guide

Learn about USGBC's LEED for Schools Rating Systems

 

LEED FOR CORE & SHELL

The LEED for Core & Shell rating system acknowledges the limited level of influence a developer can exert in a speculatively developed building. LEED for Core & Shell was developed to serve the speculative development market, in which project teams do not control all scopes of a whole building’s design and construction.


LEED for Core & Shell can be used for projects in which the developer controls the design and construction of the entire core and shell base building, such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems, but has no control over the design and construction of the tenant fit-out. Examples of this type of project can be a commercial office building, medical office building, retail center, warehouse, and lab facility.


View more information and the Certification Guide

Learn about USGBC's LEED for Core & Shell Rating Systems

LEED FOR COMMERCIAL INTERIORS

LEED for Commercial Interiors addresses the specifics of tenant spaces primarily in office, retail and institutional buildings. Tenants who lease their space or do not occupy the entire building are eligible.


LEED for Commercial Interiors was designed to work hand-in-hand with the LEED for Core & Shell certification system. LEED for Core & Shell is used by developers to certify the core and shell of a project; it prepares the building for environmentally conscious tenants; individual tenants may seek LEED for Commercial Interiors certification for their spaces whether the rest of the building is LEED-certified or not.


View more information and the Certification Guide

Learn about USGBC's LEED for Commercial Interiors Rating Systems

 

LEED FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS: OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance was designed to certify the sustainability of ongoing operations in existing commercial and institutional buildings. All such buildings, as defined by standard building codes, are eligible for certification under LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, including offices, retail and service establishments, institutional buildings like libraries, schools, museums and churches, hotels, and residential buildings of four or more habitable stories.


LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance provides owners and operators of existing buildings an entry point into the LEED certification process and is applicable to the following:

  • Building operations, processes, systems upgrades, minor space- use changes, and minor facility alterations or additions
  • Buildings new to LEED certification as well as buildings previously certified under LEED for New Construction, LEED for Schools, or LEED for Core & Shell.

 

View more information and the Certification Guide

Learn about USGBC's LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Rating Systems

 

LEED FOR NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT

The LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System places emphasis on the site selection, design and construction elements that bring buildings and infrastructure together into a neighborhood and relate a neighborhood to its landscape and its local and regional context. It recognizes development projects that successfully protect and enhance the overall health, natural environment and quality of life in communities. It promotes the location and design of neighborhoods that reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and the creation of developments where jobs and services are accessible by foot or public transit. It also supports an array of green building and green infrastructure practices.


LEED for Neighborhood Development is designed primarily for the planning and development of new green neighborhoods, whether infill sites or new developments proximate to diverse uses or adjacent to connected and previously developed land. It is designed to certify exemplary development projects that perform well in terms of smart growth, urbanism, and green building. Projects may constitute whole neighborhoods, portions of neighborhoods, or multiple neighborhoods.

 

View more information and the Certification Guide

Learn about USGBC's LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System

 

LEED ITALIA

In support of our mutual goal of transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated, GBCI and GBC Italia have joined forces to support the pilot of the LEED Italia 2009 Rating System (LEED Italia 2009 per le Nuove Costruzioni). GBCI will review projects which have registered for certification under the LEED Italia rating system. All projects wishing to pursue LEED Italia certification will follow the GBCI certification process and will be able to register in LEED Online in the near future. Certification documentation will be accepted in English or Italian. Non-confidential LEED Italia project registrations and certifications will appear on GBCI project lists.



For general questions prior to registration or to access the LEED Italia Rating System, reference materials, and education programs, please visit GBC Italia's website.


View more information and the Certification Guide

 

Certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building or neighborhood development project meets the highest green building and neighborhood performance measures. LEED certification is the internationally recognized distinction that a building or neighborhood development is environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work.

There are both environmental and financial benefits to earning LEED certification, including:

  • Lowering operating costs and increasing asset value.
  • Reducing waste sent to landfills.
  • Conserving energy and water.
  • Developing healthier and safer buildings for occupants.
  • Creating compact and walkable communities with good access to neighborhood amenities and transit
  • Protecting natural resources and farmland by encouraging growth to be located in areas with existing infrastructure.
  • Reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Qualifying for tax rebates, zoning allowances, and other incentives in hundreds of cities.
  • Demonstrating an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.