Green roofs, rooftop solar arrays will now be required for most new buildings and major roof renovations in NYC.

New York, NY – The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) announced that, effective today, Local Law 92 of 2019 and Local Law 94 of 2019 require all new buildings and existing buildings undergoing certain major roof renovations to have a solar photovoltaic system, a green roof system, or a combination of the two. These systems must cover 100 percent of any applicable roof.

“In New York City, we are not shirking from the challenge of climate change,” said Buildings Commissioner Melanie E. La Rocca. “These new laws are a sea change in how we approach new buildings, and help make our city a national leader in reducing emissions. With the biggest energy team in the country, we are ready and able to be a resource and provide technical assistance to the real estate industry as we work together to tackle this challenge head on.”

“These laws use the power of design and construction to dramatically increase renewable energy and stormwater management throughout the city,” said Mark Chambers, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. “The leadership of the Department of Buildings in making this shift accessible to New Yorkers continues to be exemplary in bringing this work to life.”

Starting today, November 15, 2019, all new application filings for new building projects and alteration projects that include vertical and horizontal enlargement or replacement of the entire roof deck, must include a form certifying their compliance with Local Laws 92 and 94 prior to plan approval from the Department. Detailed requirements for compliance with Local Law 92 and Local Law 94 can be found in the associated Service Notice and Buildings Bulletin 2019-010.

Building emissions currently account for about 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in New York City. These new laws represent a significant step forward in realizing Mayor de Blasio’s ambitious goal of New York City becoming carbon neutral by 2050, and are a major component of the City’s efforts to mitigate climate change. The laws also support efforts to enhance stormwater management, which will reduce urban flooding and improve the health of New York Harbor and its tributaries.

“The solar and green roof legislation within the Climate Mobilization Act will transform roofscapes across New York City,” said Yetsuh Frank, Managing Director of Strategy & Programs, Building Energy Exchange. “BE-Ex is excited to support these efforts at our center of excellence by showcasing inspiring projects and delivering educational programs based on their innovative solutions.”

—

Read the full press release here.

For additional resources on sustainable roofing requirements, visit our Climate Mobilization Act portal.