LEED for Homes

A LEED-certified home is designed and constructed in accordance with the rigorous guidelines of the LEED for Homes green building certification program. LEED for Homes is a consensus-developed, third party-verified, voluntary rating system which promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. Legal disclaimer.

Quick links:

LEED for Homes: In the News

Jeff Mezger, CEO of KB Homes, talks about how the state of the industry, KB Homes’ commitment to sustainability, and how they reached  LEED Platinum with little incremental cost.

Benefits of a LEED-certified Home Video:

LEED for Homes Rating System

(Released January 2008)

LEED for Homes Rating System (PDF)
The Rating System lists intents and requirements for each credit and includes the Project Checklist.

LEED for Homes Project Checklist (XLS)
The Checklist helps project teams track their credits against requirements for certification.

Errata Documents:

LEED for Homes Rating System Errata (PDF)
A list of corrections to the LEED for Homes Rating System, updated January 2010.
Also included in the Rating System document.

LEED for Homes Reference Guide Errata (PDF)
A list of corrections to the LEED for Homes Reference Guide, First Edition (2008).

Project Eligibility:

Please read the LEED for Homes Scope & Eligibility Guidelines to determine whether your project is eligible to participate in the LEED for Homes certification program.

Registration

Register Your Project

1. Contact a LEED for Homes Green Rater
2. Confirm with your chosen Green Rater that your project is suitable for LEED for Homes (Check your project's eligibility for LEED for Homes)
3. Upon receiving approval from a Green Rater, register your project with USGBC by selecting the "Register" button below*  (You will need to create a USGBC site user account if you do not already have one.) Obtain the name of the LEED for Homes Provider Organization that is working with your Green Rater, in order to provide that information in the project’s registration form.
4. Your registration is complete when USGBC receives payment of the registration fee. (To receive the USGBC member price, the individual registering the project must be an employee of a national member organization.  If you would like more information about national membership for organizations, please visit our Membership page.)

*If you are registering 10 or more single family homes or multi-family buildings, please contact your Green Rater for a volume registration form.

*Please contact your Green Rater for discount pricing information for projects registering for LEED for Homes and LEED for Neighborhood Development.

International Pilot

In response to growing international demand for LEED for Homes certification, USGBC is formally launching a LEED for Homes International Pilot. Project teams working on low- or midrise projects in the Middle East and China may submit an application for consideration:
LEED for Homes International Pilot Application

LEED for Homes International Pilot FAQ

NOTE: If you are registering a project in Canada, please visit the CAGBC's LEED Canada for Homes website.)

Note: The LEED for Homes Rating System requires completion of on-site inspections prior to certification. Additional Green Rater verification costs apply and are based on market prices. Please consult the Green Rater of your choice for applicable rates and fees.  All fees are subject to change. Registration and Certification fees are nonrefundable.

LEED for Homes Green Raters

All projects pursuing LEED for Homes certification must have a LEED for Homes Green Rater perform the required onsite verification.  Green Raters verify that the home is designed and built to the rigorous requirements of the LEED for Homes Rating System through onsite verification.  Green Raters must be involved with the project from the design phase (prior to a preliminary rating wherein the projected certification level and associated rating system requirements are reviewed) and throughout the construction process. 

Project Teams interested in participating in the LEED for Homes program must contact a LEED for Homes Green Rater.

Find a Green Rater near you!

LEED for Homes Providers

All Green Raters work with LEED for Homes Provider Organizations to complete the verification process for each LEED for Homes project. LEED for Homes Providers provide quality assurance oversight for each Green Rater. LEED for Homes Providers are local organizations selected by USGBC based on demonstrated experience and expertise in supporting builders in the construction of high-performance, sustainable homes in their market.

LEED for Homes Initiative for Affordable Housing

The LEED for Homes Initiative for Affordable Housing promotes sustainable building practices specifically for affordable homes. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to recognize and reward the intrinsic resource efficiencies of affordable housing within the LEED for Homes Rating System. In collaboration with other leaders in this sector, USGBC is working to develop appropriate tools, educational offerings and technical assistance for the affordable housing market. USGBC is also partnering with Enterprise Community Partners to promote green affordable housing.

LEED for Homes Certification Process Video:

LEED for Homes Certified Projects

View our more than 15,000 certified homes by state, builder, rating or project type:

LEED for Homes Certified Projects By State (PDF)

LEED for Homes Certified Projects By Builder (PDF)

LEED for Homes Certified Projects By Rating (PDF)

LEED for Homes Certified Projects By Project Type (PDF)

LEED for Homes Multifamily Midrise

The LEED for Homes Rating System was originally designed for single family and low rise multi-family residential development. As the program has grown, residential projects in the 4 - 6-story category have shown an interest in using the LEED for Homes criteria. In order to address this market sector, USGBC has developed LEED for Homes Multifamily Midrise Guidance, to better address this project type. For more information, please contact a LEED for Homes Green Rater.

LEED for Homes Multifamily Midrise Rating System (October 2010)

LEED for Homes Multifamily Midrise Checklist (October 2010)

REGREEN Residential Remodeling Program

The American Society of Interior Designers' Foundation and USGBC have partnered to launch REGREEN, the nation's first green residential remodeling guidelines. The guidelines are free to download and are full of best practices, case studies, and other resources.  Check out the all-new REGREENprogram.org today!

LEED for Homes Affiliate Program

USGBC recognizes that strong involvement by Local Green Building Programs is a key accelerator in helping the marketplace evolve and build more green homes. The LEED for Homes Affiliate Program helps local groups promote green building, sustainable design, and energy and resource efficiency.

For more information, please contact Matt Libby, Manager of Residential Alliances.

LEED for Homes Pilot Rating Systems

(Released February, 2007)

(Released September 8, 2005)

Pilot Version 1.72 Rating System (PDF)
Pilot Version 1.72 Project Checklist (XLS)

Mid-Rise Pilot 2008

LEED for Homes Mid-rise Pilot 2008 Rating System (PDF)
LEED for Homes Mid-rise Pilot 2008 Checklist (XLS)

View the comments from the 1st public comment period
View the comments from the 2nd public comment period 

Project Team Questions

For all LEED for Homes and LEED for Homes Multifamily Midrise project team questions please contact Kelsey Mullen.

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