LEED-AP-ND USGBC LEED AP Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

For a project located in a Federal Empowerment Zone to qualify for the Smart Location and Linkage Credit under Preferred Locations Option 3: Designated High-Priority Locations, the project must also meet certain affordability criteria. Specifically, providing at least 10% of total rental units priced at or below 60% of the area median income (AMI) aligns with the requirements for achieving this credit. This ensures that the development supports affordable housing in addition to being located in a high-priority area.

References:

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Guide: Details the requirements for Designated High-Priority Locations, including the criteria related to affordable housing (USGBC, LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Current Version).

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development: Offers guidance on how to achieve the Preferred Locations credit by meeting affordability thresholds (USGBC, LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development).

TheSmart Location and Linkage (SLL) prerequisitein LEED for Neighborhood Development includes a requirement forAccess to Quality Transitor proximity todiverse uses, which encourages projects to be located in areas that provide residents and occupants access to essential services within a walkable distance. LEED defines "diverse uses" as distinct types of establishments that serve different functions, supporting mixed-use development and reducing the need for private vehicle use.

In this scenario, there are:

Two supermarkets

One farmer’s market

One bank

Three restaurants

One laundry

One hair salon

To meet the requirements of theSLL prerequisite, only one use from each distinct category can be counted. Here, LEED allows only one example of each type of use to be counted toward the total:

Supermarket– Only one can be counted, despite having two.

Farmer’s market– Considered distinct.

Bank– Considered distinct.

Restaurant– Only one can be counted, despite having three.

Laundry– Considered distinct.

Hair salon– Considered distinct.

This results in a total ofsix distinct usesthat can be counted when attempting the Smart Location & Linkage prerequisite.

Option A: Fiveis incorrect because there are six unique uses available.

Option C: EightandOption D: Nineare incorrect because not all instances of supermarkets or restaurants can be counted multiple times for the same use category.

Thus,Option B: Sixis the correct answer based on the distinct uses counted toward the SLL prerequisite (Reference:LEED v4 ND Reference Guide).

To meet the Neighborhood Pattern and Design Credit for Transit Facilities, it is required to display transit schedules and route information at each public transit stop. This requirement ensures that transit users have access to up-to-date and accurate information, making public transportation more accessible and user-friendly, which supports increased transit use and reduces reliance on private vehicles. The other options, such as providing park and ride lots or intersection connectivity, while beneficial, do not directly address the requirements of this specific credit.

Improving walkability in a mixed-use development involves creating an inviting and engaging pedestrian environment. One key strategy is to provide clear ground-floor windows along street-level retail spaces. This design approach enhances the pedestrian experience by creating visual interest and a sense of safety, as people can see into and out of the buildings. This strategy aligns with the goals of LEED for Neighborhood Development, which encourages designs that support active, vibrant streetscapes and promote pedestrian activity.

References:

LEED v4 for Neighborhood Development, Current Version

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

Nonstructural roofing material can be omitted from the calculation verifying the percentage of reuse of buildings undergoing major renovation in a LEED for Neighborhood Development project. The calculation typically focuses on structural elements of the building that have a significant impact on the overall sustainability of the renovation.

Reuse Calculation:In LEED-ND, the calculation for the percentage of building reuse considers the retention and reuse of structural and significant non-structural elements during a renovation. This is to ensure that the embodied energy and materials within the existing structure are maximized, reducing the need for new materials and minimizing waste.

Exclusion of Nonstructural Roofing Material:Nonstructural elements, such as roofing materials that do not contribute to the structural integrity of the building, are generally excluded from this calculation. This is because these materials are often replaced more frequently due to wear and tear and do not represent the same level of material conservation as structural components.

Structural Elements Focus:The emphasis is placed on retaining major structural components such as floors, framing, and exterior walls, which contribute significantly to the building’s embodied energy and material footprint.

The LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development provides detailed instructions on how to calculate the percentage of building reuse and what elements should be included or excluded.

TheLEED v4 Neighborhood Developmentdocumentation clarifies the definitions of structural and nonstructural materials in the context of building reuse.

Detailed Explanation:References:For more details, refer to:

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development

In LEED for Neighborhood Development, the maximum number of points that a project team can earn through Regional Priority credits is four. Regional Priority credits are designed to address geographically specific environmental, social, and public health priorities.

Regional Priority Credits:LEED-ND offers Regional Priority credits to encourage project teams to focus on regional environmental issues. These credits are identified by USGBC based on specific local priorities and challenges, such as water scarcity, air quality, or habitat protection.

Point Allocation:A project can earn up to four Regional Priority points. These points are awarded in addition to the points earned for achieving the underlying credits that have been identified as regional priorities. The total number of Regional Priority points achievable does not exceed four, regardless of how many regional priority credits a project may be eligible for.

Geographic Relevance:The credits eligible for Regional Priority points vary depending on the project's location. USGBC provides a list of Regional Priority credits based on the project's ZIP code or similar geographic identifier.

The LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development provides detailed instructions on how to identify and achieve Regional Priority credits.

TheLEED v4 Neighborhood Developmentdocumentation outlines the process for determining which credits are eligible as Regional Priority credits based on location.

Detailed Explanation:References:For more comprehensive details, consult:

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development

The LEED project boundary, as defined by the Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs), includes the land and water area that is reviewed for certification. This boundary encompasses all contiguous land and water under the control of the project owner that will be part of the certification process. The project boundary is critical because it delineates the area of development or land-use that will be assessed against LEED criteria.

LEED Project Boundary:The project boundary is a key concept in LEED certification, defining the precise area that will be evaluated for compliance with LEED criteria. It includes all land and water areas associated with the project that will be developed or impacted by the project activities.

Purpose:Establishing a clear project boundary ensures that all relevant environmental impacts, including those related to land use, water use, and infrastructure development, are properly accounted for in the certification process. It prevents any ambiguity about which parts of a development are subject to LEED standards.

Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs):MPRs are essential prerequisites that must be met for a project to be eligible for LEEDcertification. Defining the project boundary is part of these requirements, ensuring that the entire area under consideration is consistently and comprehensively reviewed.

The LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development outlines how to define and document the project boundary.

TheLEED v4 Neighborhood Developmentdocumentation provides specific guidance on the inclusion of land and water areas within the project boundary.

Detailed Explanation:References:For further guidance, refer to:

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development

The Smart Location and Linkage Credit for Steep Slope Protection aims to protect steep slopes from development to prevent erosion, habitat destruction, and other environmental impacts. For a site with a significant portion of steep slopes, such as the described 2-acre area at a 50% slope, LEED ND guidelines typically allow only a smaller percentage of the site to be developed. In this scenario, 50% of the site may be developed, which corresponds to option A.

References:

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Guide: This document outlines the requirements for protecting steep slopes and the allowable percentage of development based on slope severity (USGBC, LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Current Version).

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development: Provides detailed criteria for determining allowable development on steep slopes and the associated credits (USGBC, LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development).

For a project to be eligible for the Neighborhood Pattern and Design Prerequisite on Compact Development, particularly when dealing with density limits, setting aside a portion of the land as a protected community open space easement can help meet the prerequisite requirements. By dedicating 15% of the total land area as protected open space, the project demonstrates a commitment to sustainable land use and enhances community amenities, which aligns with the LEED ND goals. This approach can help to balance density with green space, even in areas where transit service is limited.

References:

LEED v4 for Neighborhood Development, Current Version

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development