New York became the largest city in the United States to require green roofs when the City Council passed wide-ranging legislation called The Climate Mobilization Act passed April 18, 2019, which is the largest single act to cut climate pollution by any city in the world. CMA is a package of bills and resolutions that require new construction and existing buildings undergoing renovations to integrate green roofs, small wind turbines, and/or solar panels with the intent to cool the city, mitigate the effects of storms, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Green Roof Policies in NYC
Sustainable Roofs for New Construction Two new laws passed as part of NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act, Local Laws 92 and 94, provide a major boost to the city’s sustainable roof policies. Together, the laws require solar panels or green roofs on all new construction as well as buildings undertaking major roof renovations. They also increase the roof reflectiveness required by the existing cool roofs law. This informative policy brief by the Nature Conservatory includes compliance pathways for sustainable roofing zones.
Access to Green Roof Information
Local Law 93 creates an office of alternative energy, which is required to provide a website of information and resources for the installation of green roofs.
Green Roof Tax Abatement Increase
Resolution 66 triples the existing tax break for property owners who install green roofs in high-priority areas, increasing the abatement from $5.23/sqft to $15/sqft of green space through 2024.
Additional Resources
Sustainable Roof Laws in New York City
Green Roof and Wall Policy in North America, Regulations, Incentives and Policy 2019
Video provided by the Building Exchange "Climate Mobilization Act Series: Solar & Green Roofs"
Local Laws 92 & 94 Green Roofs and Solar PV Frequently Asked Questions
Climate Mobilization Act Factsheet
OneNYC 2050 New York City’s Green New Deal
Big Buildings Hurt the Climate. New York City Hopes to Change That.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Green Roofs
Green Roof Policy Bill Coming to New York
New York Passes Sweeping Climate Legislation
De Blasio Wants NYC To Be Carbon Neutral By 2050
City Council Caps Energy Emissions for Big Buildings
We have 12 years to limit climate change catastrophe, warns UN
New York City Offices
NYC Mayor’s Office of Sustainability
Office of Environmental Remediation (OER)
Department of Citywide Administrative Service
Department of Environmental Protection