LEED v5 for Cities now open for public comment

USGBC is excited to announce that the next version of the LEED for Cities draft rating system, LEED v5 Cities, is open for public comment. This draft is the result of countless hours of work from both staff and our deeply knowledgeable LEED volunteers. The first public comment period will be open from Nov. 3, 2025, through Jan. 9, 2026.

Get involved in public comment

The purpose of the LEED v5 Cities rating system is to enhance the ability of local governments, including cities, towns and counties, to address evolving urban sustainability challenges and to empower them to drive impactful, long-term sustainability outcomes. This new version also marks a separation of the LEED for Cities and LEED for Communities rating systems. With the development of the LEED v5 framework, LEED v5 Cities will address existing local governments, while LEED v5 Communities will address new developments in the planning and design phase.

A key goal of this LEED v5 update is to further align with the unique needs, challenges and priorities of local government users through improvements that include

• Clearer credit language and metrics connecting LEED credits with measurable impacts local governments can track and share.
• Alignment with the municipal planning process and cross-departmental collaboration efforts, rewarding local governments for developing relevant citywide plans and policies.A key goal of this LEED v5 update is to further align with the unique needs, challenges and priorities of local government users through improvements that include
• Recognition of performance and progress by offering points for both meeting thresholds and taking meaningful steps toward sustainability goals.
• Emphasis on the LEED v5 impact areas of decarbonization, quality of life, and ecological conservation and restoration with new credits that highlight civic leadership, climate preparedness and social sustainability. This aligns with the LEED v5 rating systems for Building Design and Construction, Interior Design and Construction, and Operations and Maintenance, allowing cities to support other LEED v5 projects within their boundaries more effectively.

We invite you to join the conversation and participate in public comment. Listen to the course and join the webinar listed below, read the draft rating system and share your thoughts—your feedback fuels LEED!

This is the first of two public comment periods scheduled to take place over the next year. Stay up to date on all LEED v5 Cities announcements by going to the LEED for Cities webpage and subscribing at the bottom of the page.

Webinars and courses

• LEED v5 Cities: Public Comment 1 Overview course (on demand)
• LEED v5 Cities: Live Webinar | Nov. 13, 2025 | Register

The live webinar is approved for 1 GBCI CE hour.

Resources

Read the rating system and comment through the credit library.

• LEED v5 Cities rating system draft (pdf | credit library)
• Guide to the first public comment
• Frequently asked questions

If you can’t find what you are looking for in the resources above, please contact USGBC.