Top Leading Builders of LEED-Certified Homes in Greater Cincinnati

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a certification process set up by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to certify “green” homes. LEED homes are healthy, providing clean indoor air and incorporating safe building materials to ensure a comfortable home. And as a bonus, LEED-certified homes receive a significant tax abatement in Cincinnati.

LEED-Certified Homes in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

LEED-CERTIFIED HOMES RECEIVE SIGNIFICANT TAX ABATEMENT

To promote homeownership within City limits, the City of Cincinnati offers residential tax abatement for LEED-rated homes. The charts below represent the various LEED levels and their corresponding maximum tax abatement amounts and durations.

NOTE: There is a current chart and an additional chart with the new limit values passed by Cincinnati’s City Council on November 13th, 2020. These values will apply to projects as of January 1st, 2022. LEED is changing the way we think about how buildings and communities are planned, constructed, maintained, and operated.

Current Cincinnati Tax Abatements – Residential, New Construction

LEED LEVEL QUALIFICATION CAP TERM (YEARS)
Non-LEED Certified $275,000 10
Non-LEED & Visitable $275,000 12
LEED-Certified $275,000 12
LEED-Certified & Visitable $275,000 14
LEED Silver $400,000 15
LEED Gold LBC Net Zero $562,000 15
LEED Platinum LBC Portal $ No Limit 15

Jan 1, 2022 Cincinnati Tax Abatements – Residential, New Construction

LEED LEVEL QUALIFICATION CAP TERM (YEARS)
Non-LEED Certified $200,000 10
LEED-Certified $200,000 12
LEED Silver $400,000 15
LEED Gold LBC Net Zero $500,000 15
LEED Platinum LBC Portal $650,000 15
If Visitability is met any tier Additional $100,000 is added to the cap

Visit www.cincinnati-oh.gov for the City of Cincinnati’s tax abatement overview.

Projects pursuing LEED certification earn points across several areas including:

Sustainable Sites

Rewarding decisions about the environment surrounding the building, with credits that emphasize the vital relationships among buildings, ecosystems, and ecosystem services. It focuses on restoring project site elements, integrating the site with local and regional ecosystems, and preserving the biodiversity that natural systems rely on.

Water Efficiency

Addressing water holistically, looking at indoor use, outdoor use, specialized uses, and metering, based on an “efficiency first” approach to water conservation. As a result, each prerequisite looks at water efficiency and reductions in potable water use alone. Then, the WE credits additionally recognize the use of non-potable and alternative sources of water.

Energy + Atmosphere

Approaching energy from a holistic perspective, addressing energy use reduction, energy-efficient design strategies, and renewable energy sources.

Materials + Resources

Focusing on minimizing the embodied energy and other impacts associated with the extraction, processing, transport, maintenance, and disposal of building materials. The requirements are designed to support a life-cycle approach that improves performance and promotes resource efficiency.

Indoor Environmental Quality

Rewarding decisions made by project teams about indoor air quality and thermal, visual, and acoustic comfort. Green buildings with good indoor environmental quality protect the health and comfort of building occupants. This category addresses the myriad design strategies and environmental factors—air quality, lighting quality, acoustic design, control over one’s surroundings—that influence the way people learn, work, and live.

Location + Transportation

Rewarding thoughtful decisions about building location, with credits that encourage compact development, alternative transportation, and connection with amenities, such as restaurants and parks. The LT category considers the existing features of the surrounding community and how this infrastructure affects occupants’ behavior and environmental performance.

Innovation in Design

Sustainable design strategies and measures are constantly evolving and improving. New technologies are continually introduced to the marketplace and up-to-date scientific research influences building design strategies. The purpose of this LEED category is to recognize projects for innovative building features and sustainable building practices and strategies.

Regional Priority

Because some environmental issues are particular to a locale, volunteers from USGBC chapters and the LEED International Roundtable have identified distinct environmental priorities within their areas and the credits that address those issues. These Regional Priority credits encourage project teams to focus on their local environmental priorities.

Find Out How Much You Can Save

Visit our tax abatement calculator.

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