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Timeline

The certification was identified as a priority by the City Commission during strategic planning in 2023. In 2024, Coral Springs was selected to participate in the LEED for Cities Local Government Leadership Program. After extensive cross-departmental collaboration and data collection, Coral Springs was awarded Gold Certification in June 2025. The achievement was commended by a Commission Proclamation in October 2025. The results will be used to advance sustainability goals and objectives.

Note: The LEED for Cities Certification is meant to be applied across diverse communities and cities throughout the world. Some certification criteria may not apply or may differ from local practices and standards.

LEED Certification Review Report
This report contains the results of the technical review of an application for LEED® certification submitted for the specified project. LEED certification is an official recognition that a project complies with the requirements prescribed within the LEED rating systems as created and maintained by the U.S. Green Building Council® (USGBC®). The LEED certification program is administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI®).

City of Coral Springs

Gold Certified
Certified: 40–49 • Silver: 50–59 • Gold: 60–79 • Platinum: 80+

Category Summary

The Integrative Process category gauged level of preparation and interdisciplinary relationships needed to deliver high-performance, cost-effective and positive programs and services related to green buildings and sustainable development.

Credit Summary

Integrative Planning and Leadership: 1/1

To begin the LEED for Cities Certification process, an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental team was assembled. The team analyzed eligibility for the LEED certification process, created a LEED action plan and demonstrated how sustainability principles and performance measures were currently integrated in Coral Springs’ comprehensive plans. This team reflects the existing Sustainability Liaison staff group that is responsible for implementing the city’s Sustainability Action Plan.

Category Summary

Ecology is the study of living organisms and the interaction with their environment. Natural systems refer to the interconnectivity within ecosystems that include landforms, water bodies, flora and fauna which is influenced by interactions between climate, soil conditions and the organisms that inhabit these environments. Ecosystems protect and even regenerate natural systems, thereby increasing the ecosystem services they provide and creating ecologically resilient communities. This interconnectivity helps to not only sustain life but also enhances the quality of life.

Credit Summary

Ecosystem Assessment: Required

A comprehensive narrative was submitted which provides information on topography, soils, terrestrial vegetation and habitat, hydrology and aquatic ecosystems, as well as pollution sources and threats. The Ecosystem Assessment report provided a summary of all the data collected for the city in order to establish a baseline for existing conditions and future trends. Most of the data was obtained from the city’s Stormwater Master Plan with additional data gathered from Broward County and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Light Pollution Reduction: 1/1

Light pollution can affect the quality of life of humans, wildlife and the environment. Excessive lighting can disrupt the natural light patterns and the delicate balance of our environment. A lighting ordinance can help to minimize and manage ambient light levels to protect public health and the integrity of ecological systems. The city regulates exterior lighting based on the zoning district in which a property is located. Lighting is measured by footcandles where one footcandle is defined as the amount of illumination provided by one lumen uniformly distributed on one square foot of surface. Minimum requirements ensure parking lots are properly illuminated while maximums reduce the possibility of light pollution. In addition to illumination requirements, height limitations of light fixtures ensure the poles are appropriate for the zoning district in which they are located.

Resilience Planning: 2/4

Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment

Climate change can lead to serious impacts through increased floods, droughts and wildfires. These impacts can shift ecosystems and disrupt quality of life. Through a vulnerability and capacity assessment, the city is able to identify climate change risks, natural and man-made hazards and extreme events. These threats were obtained from the city’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and the Stormwater Master Plan and Vulnerability Assessment. Additional information was utilized from regional data gathered by the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact Steering Committee (SFRCCC).

Resilience Plan

Broward County is currently developing a resilience plan which the city will adopt. This two-year county-wide effort focuses on building community resilience to the impacts of climate change predicted over the next half-century, with a primary focus on flood and heat mitigation. The Resilience Plan includes economic analyses of flood risk and adaptation investments such as hazard exposure, first party loss, indirect impacts and key impact metrics. Additionally, the Stormwater Master Plan and Vulnerability Assessment, as well as the CEMP and EOP, include extensive descriptions of adaptation and mitigation strategies to flood vulnerabilities, natural and human-induced threats and hazards, stakeholder engagement and monitoring and evaluation.

Category Summary

The relationship between transportation and land use has been examined over time to help create policies. Land use policies act as a foundation to transportation policies, allowing for different types of development and the subsequent need for motorized vehicles and mass transit. This category encourages cities to adopt an integrated approach toward urban planning. This includes mixed-use development; efficient transportation infrastructure to reduce reliance on single occupancy vehicle trips; provision of cleaner, healthier, safer and more equitable connectivity options; and engagement with stakeholders.

Credit Summary

Transportation Performance: 6/6

The focus of this prerequisite is to quantify and improve transportation options that lead to increased walking, biking and public transit use which have positive environmental and health benefits.

Modal Split:Data was collected over a one-year period (2022) to show the percentage of population that commutes to work by the below transportation modes.

Clean Transportation: 1/1

Electric Vehicle Charging Facilities:This credit encourages cities to promote alternative fuels for vehicles that are lower-emitting and non-gasoline-based. To achieve this credit, the total number of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) for plug-in electric vehicles was identified throughout the city. In 2024, there were 14 public, level 2 or higher EV charging stations in the city, with two additional locations proposed in new development projects.

Priority Sites: 1/1

Historic Preservation:The city recently adopted a Historic Preservation Ordinance (Ordinance 2024-111) to preserve historic buildings and districts. With the city celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2023, certain sites have become eligible for historic designation, such as the covered bridge and history museum. The Historic Preservation Board (HPB) will help aid property owners through the process and procedures when altering contributing and non-contributing structures located throughout the city.