Final answer:
Local building codes take precedence over LEED requirements. Codes ensure minimum safety standards for structures and are legally enforceable. LEED guidelines are voluntary and meant to complement, not replace, local codes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering which has precedent in a project, LEED requirements or local codes, it is important to recognize that local building codes, which set forth minimum safety requirements for structures, take precedence. These codes ensure that a building provides essential services like running water, adequate ventilation, structurally sound construction, smoke detectors, and safe electrical wiring. Whereas LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, provides guidelines for environmentally sustainable construction, it is designed to work within the parameters set by local codes, not override them.
Local codes are legally enforceable regulations that must be followed for a building to be considered lawful and livable. Therefore, while LEED certification is valuable for advancing sustainability goals, meeting local code requirements is a legal necessity and cannot be sidestepped in favor of LEED. It is mandatory for projects to comply with these safety regulations before additional voluntary certifications like LEED are sought after.