Eco-Roof Incentive Program

Who can apply

Green Roof Eligibility

Eligible buildings

1. existing residential, industrial, commercial & institutional buildings
2. new residential, industrial, commercial, & institutional buildings with a gross floor area of less than 2,000 m²
3. all new construction projects by Toronto School Boards and not-for-profit organizations

Application timing

Applications must be approved prior to commencing any work on the roof. Projects that have started, or are complete, may not be eligible for funding.

Design & construction requirements

All green roof projects must be designed and constructed in conformance with the Toronto Green Roof Construction Standard (Article IV of the Green Roof Bylaw).

A building permit is required for the installation of a green roof. For more information on how to apply for a permit contact the Toronto Building Customer Service Counter closest to you.

The Green Roof Bylaw defines a green roof as “an extension of an above grade roof, built on top of a human-made structure, that allows vegetation to grow in a growing medium and which is designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with the Toronto Green Roof Construction Standard.”

Please note: planter boxes on rooftops do not meet the definition of a green roof as they are not an extension of the roofing system.

Coverage requirements

Gross Floor Area* (Size of Building): Less than 4,999m²; Minimum Coverage of Available Roof Space** (Size of Green Roof): 20%

Gross Floor Area* (Size of Building): 5,000 - 9,999 m²; Minimum Coverage of Available Roof Space** (Size of Green Roof): 30%

Gross Floor Area* (Size of Building): 10,000 - 14,999m²; Minimum Coverage of Available Roof Space** (Size of Green Roof): 40%

Gross Floor Area* (Size of Building): 15,000 - 19,999m²; Minimum Coverage of Available Roof Space** (Size of Green Roof): 50%

Gross Floor Area* (Size of Building): 20,000 m² or greater; Minimum Coverage of Available Roof Space** (Size of Green Roof): 60%

• Gross Floor Area – The total area (all floors) of a building, above and below average grade, measured from the exterior wall of each floor level, including voids at the level of each floor, such as an atrium, mezzanine, stairwell, escalator, elevator, ventilation duct or utility shaft, but excluding areas used for the purpose of parking or loading.

** Available Roof Space – The total roof area minus areas designated for renewable energy, private terraces, and residential outdoor amenities (to a maximum of 2 square metres per unit).

Structural Assessment Grant (SAG)

Additional funding is available to help offset the cost of a structural assessment to determine if an existing building can carry the additional weight of a green roof.

Eligibility

1. Green roof projects only
2. Existing buildings only
3. You must hire a structural engineer licensed to work in the Province of Ontario
4. The structural assessment must be completed before the green roof is installed
5. The structural assessment must evaluate the ability of a building to hold the weight of a green roof only (no additional elements such as decking, pool, furniture, etc.)

Cool Roof Eligibility

Eligible buildings

1. existing residential, industrial, commercial & institutional buildings
2. new low-rise residential buildings less than 5 units

Application Timing

Applications must be approved prior to commencing any work on the roof. Projects that have started, or are complete, may not be eligible for funding.

Material Requirements

Roofing material or coating system must meet the following criteria:

1. Low slope (flat) roofs with a surface slope less than 16.7 per cent or 9.5 degrees.

• Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) rating of 78 or greater;
• emissivity greater than or equal to 0.9;

2. Steep slope (pitched) roofs with a surface slope greater than 16.7 per cent or 9.5 degrees:

• Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) rating of 25 or greater;
• emissivity greater than or equal to 0.9;

All cool roof products must also be asbestos and mercury-free; and emit zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ozone-depleting substances (ODSs).

Coverage Requirements

Full roof retrofits

The roof must cover 100 per cent of available roof space (excluding mechanical equipment or other environmental technologies).

Partial Roof Retrofits

Partial retrofits are eligible for funding, however, the goal is to have 100 per cent of the building’s roof area covered with a cool roof. Applications for partial cool roofs must therefore include:

1. A letter from the property owner stating their intention to complete future roof replacements with an eco-roof surface that meets requirements of the City’s Eco-Roof Incentive Program.

An Eco-Roof is defined as a cool roof or a green roof as per the eligibility criteria described in section 4. Projects must be above grade (parking garages and at-grade roofs are ineligible), scheduled for completion within six (6) months of notification of funding approval and must be one of the

following to apply for the Eco-Roof Incentive Program:

1. a green roof or cool roof retrofit project on an existing residential,

industrial, commercial, or institutional building.

1. a green roof or cool roof project on a new residential, industrial,

institutional, or commercial building with a GFA of less than 2,000 m2 (21,528 sq ft).

1. a green roof on a new construction project (of any size) by Public,

French or Catholic School Boards

1. a green roof on a new construction project (of any size) by an

organization incorporated as an ot-for-profit corporation Cool or Green Roof projects that are already complete may not be eligible for funding at the absolute discretion of the City.

To be eligible for consideration for participation in the Eco-Roof Incentive Program, a building must be located in the city of Toronto and meet the Green Roof or Cool Roof specifications of subsections 4.1 and 4.2, the Application Criteria in section 2, the Requirements of Participation in section 5, including the obligation to maintain Green Roofs for the entire service lives, and other terms and conditions of this Program: