Cecily Zamora
In 2009, Toronto became the first city in North America to pass a bylaw requiring and governing the construction of green roofs on new developments. The Green Roof Bylaw sets out a graduated green roof requirement for new developments that are greater than 2,000 m² in gross floor area. The bylaw was developed over several years, beginning in 2005 when Toronto commissioned Ryerson University to study the impact of greening all of the city's available large rooftop spaces. The study provided evidence to support the efficacy of green roofs, prompting the city to launch a pilot cost-share program to incentivize green roof construction on private buildings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of implementation | 2009 |
| First city in North America to implement | Yes |
| Minimum gross floor area for new development | 2,000 m² |
| Green roof coverage requirement range | 20-60% of the Available Roof Space of a building |
| Number of green roof permits issued between 2010 and 2017 | 420 |
| Total square meters of green roof space between 2010 and 2017 | 450,000 |
| Number of Eco-Roof Incentive Program applications received since 2009 | 500 |
| Number of Eco-Roof Incentive Program projects supported since 2009 | 336 |
| Total square meters of new green space | 111,400 |
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What You'll Learn
The Green Roof Bylaw
Toronto's Green Roof Bylaw, established in 2009, is a pioneering policy that mandates the construction of green roofs on new developments. It sets a graduated green roof requirement for buildings with a gross floor area exceeding 2,000 square meters, ranging from 20% to 60% of the available roof space. This bylaw was the first of its kind in North America, making Toronto a leader in green roof initiatives.
The bylaw includes mandatory provisions for the construction of green roofs, ensuring compliance with the Toronto Green Roof Construction Standard. This standard sets minimum requirements for design and construction, complementing the Ontario Building Code. It also provides guidelines for creating biodiverse green roofs, enhancing habitat opportunities and promoting biodiversity.
Toronto's Eco-Roof Incentive Program, established alongside the Green Roof Bylaw, provides financial incentives for retrofitting existing roofs with green roofs. It offers grants of $100 per square meter for green roof projects and $2 to $5 per square meter for cool roof projects, with additional grants for structural assessments. The program has been a success, receiving over 500 applications and supporting numerous eco-roof projects.
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The Eco-Roof Incentive Program
Toronto's Eco-Roof Incentive Program was launched in 2009 to encourage the installation of eco-roofs, which are defined as green roofs or cool roofs. The program is a key element of the City of Toronto's Climate Change Action Plan, which aims to reduce the city's greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. The program provides financial incentives for building owners to install eco-roofs, with the amount ranging from $2-5/m² for cool roofs and $75-100/m² for green roofs, up to a maximum of $50,000 and $100,000 respectively.
To apply for the Eco-Roof Incentive Program, building owners must submit various supporting documents, including a photo of the roof prior to construction, information about the roofing material, and a detailed plan/drawing of the roof showing the total roof area and eco-roof area. Applicants are also encouraged to attend a free information session to learn more about the program before applying.
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The Green Roof Strategy
Toronto's Green Roof Strategy was first adopted in 2006 by the City Council. The strategy was developed after a study, commissioned by the City and undertaken by a team from Ryerson University, indicated that the widespread implementation of green roofs in Toronto would provide significant economic benefits to the city. The study also highlighted the potential of green roofs to mitigate Toronto's specific environmental risks, including extreme temperature variations, air pollution, and energy insecurity.
In 2009, the City Council unanimously adopted the Green Roof Bylaw, which took effect in 2010 for most building types and in 2012 for new industrial development. The bylaw established a graduated green roof requirement, ranging from 20 to 60 percent coverage, for new developments or additions greater than 2,000 m² in gross floor area. The bylaw includes an option for developers to pay $200/m² as cash-in-lieu instead of constructing the required green roof. The Green Roof Bylaw and the Eco-Roof Incentive Program are key components of Toronto's 'Official Plan Vision', intended to ensure the city evolves and improves.
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Construction standards
Toronto's Green Roof Bylaw, which came into effect in 2010 for most building types and in 2012 for new industrial development, sets out a graduated green roof requirement for new developments or additions that are greater than 2,000 square meters in gross floor area. The requirement ranges from 20-60% of the available roof space of a building.
The bylaw's Construction Standard established minimum requirements and mandatory provisions in 14 categories, including:
- Green roof assembly
- Waterproofing and drainage
- Vegetation selection and performance
- Occupant health and safety
The purpose of the Toronto Green Roof Construction Standard is to govern the design and construction of green roofs by setting out minimum requirements that meet the City's objectives and the Ontario Building Code requirements. The standard can be found in Article IV of the Green Roof Bylaw (Municipal Code Chapter 492, Green Roofs).
The City of Toronto has prepared a guideline document to the green roof construction standard, in consultation with the City's Green Roof Technical Advisory Group. This document contains "best practices" in green roof design and provides designers and the public with additional information on the Toronto Green Roof Construction Standard. It also includes illustrations to assist with calculating required green roof coverage.
The Guidelines for Biodiverse Green Roofs identify, describe, and illustrate best practices for creating habitat and promoting biodiversity on green roofs in Toronto. They are intended to support and expand the Toronto Green Roof Construction Standard Supplementary Guidelines. These guidelines are primarily designed for use by architects and landscape architects involved in designing green roofs.
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Benefits of green roofs
In 2009, Toronto became the first city in North America to adopt a bylaw to require and govern the construction of green roofs. The bylaw was the result of the City Council's adoption of a Green Roof Strategy in 2006, which encouraged the construction of green roofs through incentives, public education, and a streamlined development approval process.
Green roofs offer a plethora of benefits, ranging from environmental and economic advantages to social and ecological impacts. Here are some of the key benefits:
Environmental Benefits
- Reducing the Urban Heat Island Effect: Green roofs help mitigate the urban heat island effect by reducing local air temperatures. They provide shade and lower surface and air temperatures through evapotranspiration, a process where plants release water vapour, cooling the surrounding area.
- Stormwater Management: Green roofs are effective in stormwater management by retaining a significant portion of storm-related precipitation, especially during summer. They reduce stormwater runoff by up to 80% compared to conventional roofs, slowing down its release and reducing the risk of flooding.
- Air Quality Improvement: Green roofs improve air quality by absorbing pollutants, carbon dioxide, and greenhouse gas emissions. Vegetation removes pollutants through dry deposition and carbon sequestration, contributing to cleaner air.
- Habitat Creation: Green roofs provide habitats for wildlife, supporting plant growth and offering refuge to insects and birds that have lost their natural habitats due to urban development.
Economic Benefits
- Energy Savings: Green roofs act as insulators, reducing the energy required for cooling and heating. They lower energy demand and lead to significant energy savings, resulting in long-term cost savings.
- Extended Lifespan: The vegetation overlay on green roofs protects the underlying structure from the elements, extending the lifespan of the roof. This leads to reduced long-term costs for roofing maintenance and replacement.
- Incentives: Cities offer incentives such as Toronto's Eco-Roof Incentive Program, which provides financial support for the installation of green roofs. These incentives help offset the initial costs of green roof construction.
Social and Ecological Impacts
- Improved Human Health: Green roofs enhance human physical and mental health by providing aesthetically pleasing environments and improving human interaction with nature. They reduce blood pressure, hospital stays, and the incidence of heat stress during heat waves.
- Community Building: Green roofs can incorporate urban agriculture, providing herbs and vegetables for occupants or the community. They also offer recreational green spaces that foster a sense of community and enhance social welfare.
- Noise Reduction: The additional layers of a green roof help minimize noise from mechanical equipment on the roof, creating a more peaceful indoor environment.
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Frequently asked questions
The Green Roof Bylaw was passed in 2009 and took effect in 2010 for most building types and in 2012 for new industrial development.
The Green Roof Bylaw requires new developments or additions that exceed 2,000 square meters in gross floor area to dedicate between 20% and 60% of their roof space to green roofs.
A green roof is a roof that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane.
Green roofs can help to mitigate Toronto's specific environmental risks, including extreme temperature variations, air pollution, and energy insecurity.
