Most ecohousing communities have the following characteristics:

1. Privacy--all residents have their own private homes, including kitchens. Common areas supplement rather than replace private homes.

2. Intentional Community--residents share central walkways or a village green, community gardens, community activities, community buildings, community meals. 

3. Choice of Participation--residents participate in community activities by choice. 

4. Designed by Owners--the group is responsible for some of the design of the community with varied levels of responsibility, depending upon the group.

5. Decision Making--decisions are made as a community, at times with consensus.  There is no central leader or charismatic figure.

6. Self-Governing--the e cohousing community is self-governing. 

7. Green Community--homes and facilities are energy-efficient, healthy, green, and sustainable with open spaces, trees, and nature preserved when possible. 

8. Neighbors by Choice--rather than neighbors by chance.

9. Diverse Families--there is diversity in everything from age to income to cultures.

10. Small Is Beautiful--small homes are clustered to allow open spaces and are more compact to conserve resources. It is also possible to do this through remodeling of a commercial building such as a warehouse or an office building.