As green technology and environmentally friendly practices continue to improve, it’s vital that we apply them to our buildings. From the materials used during construction to the building’s energy efficiency, there are various ways we can build more sustainably and responsibly.
But knowing how to do this isn’t always straightforward, which is why developers look to green standards. These standards guide projects toward a certifiably green final product.
Condominium developments are no different. Many developers seek to make their condominiums more socially and environmentally beneficial for the people who will live there.
But what standards are condominium developments likely to be held to, and how does a developer meet those standards?
Applicable Standards
There are several rating systems a developer can strive to meet, each awarding its own certification to projects that meet the required standards. Some of the most widely consulted standards are:
- U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) .
- EPA’s ENERGY STAR program .
- ICC 700 National Green Building Standard .
- BREEAM .
- Green Globes .
Each system’s process is unique, focusing on different environmental aspects to varying degrees. For example, the ENERGY STAR program is a simple pass or fail, with a score of 75/100 needed to earn the certification.
On the other hand, LEED awards varying levels of certification. This point-based system classifies buildings into one of the following performance levels — Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Certified — with Platinum being the highest level of achievement. This multilevel performance system makes LEED one of the most desirable standards.
LEED Certification
As one of the primary green building standards in the world, LEED is a key certification that helps developers create certified green buildings. It looks at every aspect of the build to ensure it’s environmentally and socially beneficial. Exactly how it does this will vary from project to project, depending on the type of work being carried out and which rating system has been applied.
LEED Rating Systems
Currently, three LEED ratings systems can be applied to a project — LEED v5, LEED v4.1, and LEED v4. Released in early 2025, LEED v5 is the most recent system and is in the process of replacing LEED v4.1.
Compared to LEED v4.1, the newest version differs in several areas, such as:
- Location: LEED v5 focuses more on location and green transport availability, whether that’s walking or local transport.
- Sustainability: The requirements for sustainable sites, such as restoring biodiversity and creating accessible outdoor spaces, are expanded in LEED v5. Long-term climate resilience must also be shown.
- Atmosphere: Projects rated in LEED v5 must meet the updated ASHRAE Standards.
- Water: LEED v5 has tougher performance targets for water efficiency, but allows greater flexibility in how the goals are reached.
- Materials: LEED v5 requires more material transparency. There’s also more focus on carbon reduction by targeting embodied, operational, refrigerants, and emissions, with the goal being near-zero carbon.
Due to these new standards, LEED v5 could make it harder to achieve certification. This, plus the familiarity of the older rating systems, could entice developers to stick with LEED v4.1 and LEED v4 for now. However, projects will only be eligible for registration under the older rating systems until the first quarter of 2026, with the condition that the final documentation be submitted no later than early 2032.
LEED Certification Requirements
Whichever rating system you pick, you’ll receive points based on your performance. To gain points, you have some freedom to select which credits you want to strive for, with credits offering varying numbers of points. Although certain credits are mandatory, you have some flexibility to choose the standards suited to the nature of your project.
If your project passes, you’ll then be awarded a particular LEED certification level, based on how many points you achieve:
- Certified: 40-49 points.
- Silver: 50-59 points.
- Gold: 60-79 points.
- Platinum: 80+ points.
To get the maximum score, it’s important to choose credits that are both relevant to your project and achievable. For example, the standards for new construction projects will differ from those for renovation projects.
For condominium developments, it’s important to focus on the standards catered toward new residential buildings.
Specific LEED Requirements for Condominiums
The goal for multi-family buildings, such as condominiums, is to provide commercial, health, and social benefits to future tenants or owners. Some ways to do this include promoting fresh indoor air, reducing energy and water consumption, and constructing at a similar cost to non-green homes.
For developers applying LEED to condominium projects , some of the key credits they should work toward include:
- EQ credit Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies.
- MR credit Environmentally Preferable Products.
- EQ credit Low Emitting Products.
- EA credit Annual Energy Use (energy savings over a baseline).
- WE credit Indoor Water Use.
To assess a project for these credits, LEED certification requires documentation for measurements such as a unit’s kilowatt-hour (kWh), the total CO2 emissions as a result of the unit’s construction, and materials used per unit of service.
The LEED Certification Process
Every commercial project requires effort for the best results, and the LEED certification process calls for additional work and documentation. But there’s a reason developers choose to go through that process all over again when they begin new projects.
In short, that process is as follows:
- Determine the appropriate rating system for your project.
- Register your v5 project in Arc, or your v4.1/v4 project in LEED Online.
- Choose the credits that align with your project’s goal and build your unique scorecard.
- Implement your sustainability strategies and document the prerequisite and credit achievements.
- Submit documentation for review.
Does Building Green Cost More?
As the demand for green buildings has increased, the costs of sustainable construction have decreased. But while green materials and environmentally friendly technology, such as solar panels, have dropped in price, it’s still difficult to construct green buildings at the same price as non-green buildings — but it’s possible.
On top of the construction costs are the certification costs. Beyond the certification fees, developers should consider the additional time required to gain certification.
However, green buildings tend to cost less to run, thanks to the lower energy consumption and durable materials used. This often makes them less expensive in the long term compared to non-green buildings. They’re also appealing to developers since they often have a higher property value and can provide tax breaks and rebates. A trusted attorney can help you benefit from these.
Why Trust Us?
At Calabrese Law Associates, our mission is to provide industry-leading legal advice and representation for all our clients. Providing client-focused legal services in Boston and throughout Massachusetts, we specialize in construction law. This makes us perfectly suited to help developers in the area gain their LEED certification and enjoy all the benefits of building green.
But don’t just take our word for it. You can see what our clients say about us before deciding if we’re the right choice for you.
Certification Assistance for Your Condominium Project
Calabrese Law helps projects meet all compliance and green building certification requirements necessary to meet the desired standards.
If you’re striving to achieve LEED certification for your condominium project in the Greater Boston area, we can help you select the right credits for your project, implement the necessary strategies, and document any evidence. We can also help you enjoy tax incentives that may be available to you, such as the Section 179D deduction . To find out more about how we can help with your condominium project, contact our knowledgeable attorneys today.
This publication and its contents are not to be construed as legal advice nor a recommendation to you as to how to proceed. Please consult with a local licensed attorney directly before taking any action that could have legal consequences. This publication and its content do not create an attorney-client relationship and are being provided for general informational purposes only.
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