Program Manuals, Standards, and Handbooks

Use the following links to access the official reference documents for Living Future's building certification programs.  

LBC 4.1/ZC 1.1/ZE 1.1

Since the LBC 4.1/ZC 1.1/ZE 1.1 update, program details are communicated via a single, consolidated document: the program manual. Program manuals are publicly available at no cost and can be viewed and/or downloaded via the links below:

• Living Building Challenge 4.1 Program Manual (including Petal and Core Certification)
• Zero Carbon Certification 1.1 Program Manual
• Zero Energy Certification 1.1 Program Manual

LBC 4.0/Core 1.0/ZC 1.0/ZE 1.0

Prior to the LBC 4.1/ZC 1.1/ZE 1.1 update, program details were communicated via a combination of Standard and Handbook documents. The Standard contained basic program information, and the  Handbooks contained details like Clarifications, Exceptions, Calculations, and Documentation Requirements. All Standards and Handbooks are now publicly available at no cost and can be downloaded via the links below:

• Living Building Challenge 4.0 Standard
• Living Building Challenge 4.0 Handbook
• Core Green Building Certification 1.0 Standard
• Core Green Building Certification 1.0 Handbook
• Zero Carbon Certification 1.0 Standard
• Zero Carbon Certification 1.0 Handbook
• Zero Energy Certification 1.0 Standard
• Zero Energy Certification 1.0 Handbook

LBC 3.0/3.1

For access to the LBC 3.0/3.1 reference documents, please reach out to lbc.support@living-future.org.