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Land Development

The National Green Building Standard allows developers to have residential projects certified.

Developers may have a new or existing development certified as a whole or in phases. Developers may also get a Letter of Approval after a Design Review but before development work is started. The letter of approval will indicate that the development is eligible to be certified if constructed in accordance with the approved plan.

The Green Scoring Tool currently does not have the capability to score and store green land development projects. However, you may download a Microsoft Excel file and follow the directions provided to manually score a green land development project. If certification is desired, submit the completed Excel file to an accredited verifier.

Step 1 Download the Land Development Certification to the National Green Building Standard Excel file. Use the "Scoring & Verification" worksheet to score the development according to the Standard. Refer to the Standard for more detail on each of the practices. Record the points for each practice to be used in the "Points Claimed" column of the worksheet. Add any explanatory notes in the "Developer's Notes" area at the end of each major section.
Step 2 Note the required/expected documentation as listed in the "Documentation Required" column and be sure to have that available for the verifier.
Step 3 Hire a local accredited verifier to complete the Design Review verification.
Step 4 Sign the Design Review Signature page after the Design Review verification has been completed.
Step 5 Submit Land Development certification fee to the NAHB Research Center.
  • $1000 for 10 lots or less
  • $2000 for 11-24 lots
  • $2500 for 25 or more lots
Step 6 If a Letter of Approval is required, submit the report to the NAHB Research Center (via VerificationReport@nahbrc.com).
Step 7 After each phase is completed, hire a local accredited verifier to complete the Field Inspection verification and submit the report to the NAHB Research Center (via VerificationReport@nahbrc.com). The Developer will be invoiced for the required fee.
Step 8 Sign the Field Inspection Signature page after the Field Inspection verification has been completed.

Download the Land Development Certification to the National Green Building Standard Excel File



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