Abstract: This study presents a Performance-Based Plastic Design (PBPD) methodology for the design of steel Concentric Braced Frames (CBF). The design base shear is obtained based on energy-work balance using pre-selected target drift and yield mechanism. The 3 low-to-medium rise CBF 3, 6 and 9-story were designed by the proposed methodology and current seismic codes. Results of inelastic dynamic analyses showed that the PBPD frames met all the intended performance objectives in terms of yield mechanisms and target drift levels but the code compliant frames showed very poor response due to premature brace fractures leading to unacceptably large drifts and instability.