Project Registration Details
The International Living Future Institute (Living Future) offers a suite of high performance building certification programs, including the Living Building Challenge (LBC), Zero Carbon (ZC), and Zero Energy (ZE). These programs are designed to serve as a philosophy and advocacy tool, as well as a third-party certification based on actual performance.
Effective October 1, 2026, the following pricing structure will be applied to all registration and certification applications.* All fees listed below are in US Dollars. Registration is discounted if the applicant or project owner is an Organizational Member at the Enhanced or Strategic Level. Please note that individual buildings should be registered independently unless a multi-building approach has been approved in writing by the Living Future team (learn more here).
New Building, Renovation, and Interior Typology registration fees per building:
|
Enhanced & Strategic Organizational Members |
Individual Members and Non-members |
|
| Living Building Challenge – Living, Petal | $5,250 | $5,500 |
| Living Building Challenge – Core | $5,250 | $5,500 |
| Zero Carbon** | $2,500 | $2,750 |
| Zero Energy** | $2,500 | $2,750 |
All registration fees are due at the time of application. Projects are only considered registered for Living Future building scale programs after the registration application has been received, the registration agreement has been acknowledged, and the registration fee paid.
New Building, Renovation, and Interior Typology certification fees per building:
| Minimum Fee | USD per square foot | USD per square meter | |
| Living Building Challenge – Living, Petal | $7,500 | $0.14 | $1.51 |
| Living Building Challenge – Core | $5,000 | $0.09 | $0.97 |
| Zero Carbon** | $3,750 | $0.065 | $0.70 |
| Zero Energy** | $3,750 | $0.065 | $0.70 |
All certification fees are due prior to the commencement of the Ready Audit. Certification fees are calculated based on the published certification fees at the time the invoice is generated and are subject to change between project registration and certification.
Visit this resource page for more information on our building certification process, registering a project, or other helpful resources.
For any project teams that are interested in pursuing one of Living Future’s building certifications, please reach out to sales@living-future.org or submit a Registration Form via Portal (instructions here).
*Projects registered prior to April 1, 2024 with project specific certification fees noted in the registration agreement will continue to be held to the original agreed upon fees, scope, and project timeline, provided the project remainsin good standing.
**Projects that wish to pursue dual Zero Carbon and Zero Energy Certification will receive a 50% discount on both their Zero Energy registration fee and certification fee.
The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) offers a suite of high performance building certification programs, including the Living Building Challenge (LBC), Core Green Building Certification (Core), Zero Carbon (ZC), and Zero Energy (ZE). These programs are designed to serve as a philosophy and advocacy tool, as well as a third-party certification based on actual performance.
Beginning October 1, 2026, pricing for Living Future building certifications will increase by 10%. Learn more about the updated pricing structure here. The updated pricing will apply to project registration and certification fees for the Living Building Challenge (Living, Petal, and Core), Zero Carbon Certification, and Zero Energy Certification.
Program Fees
| ILFI Building Program Fees |
Registration Fee (due at enrollment) |
Certification Fee (due at audit) |
||
| Certification Pathway |
Flat Fee | USD / Sq Ft | USD / Sq M | Minimum |
| Living Building Challenge (Living or Petal) |
$5,000 | $0.13 | $1.399 | $7,000 |
| Living Building Challenge (Core) |
$5,000 | $0.08 | $0.861 | $3,500 |
| Zero Carbon Certification |
$2,500 | $0.06 | $0.646 | $3,500 |
| Zero Energy Certification |
$2,500 | $0.04 | $0.431 | $2,000 |
The program fees cover the following services to support project teams on their journey to certification:
- A dedicated project coach
- Three project status calls scheduled during the design and construction phases of the project
- Access to request clarifications and exceptions to certification requirements
- Invitation to project team summits and calls
- Third-party Ready Audit upon completion of construction
- Third-party Final Audit upon completion of 12-month performance period
- Recognition as a Registered, Ready, or Certified project
For more information about the program fees, please review our FAQs here.
Visit this resource page for more information on our building certification process, registering a project, or other helpful resources.
For any project teams that are interested in pursuing one of Living Future’s building certifications, please reach out to sales@living-future.org or submit a Registration Form via Portal.