Toronto's Green roof Bylaw and Incentive programs/grants
Green Roof Bylaw and Incentive Program for City of Toronto
A Quick Reference (City of Toronto.ca)
Why the City is Mandating Green Roofs
The City of Toronto’s Net-Zero Existing Buildings Strategy has set the stage for all existing buildings in Toronto to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero by 2050
Buildings generate approximately 55 percent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Toronto today and represent the greatest opportunity for meeting our climate targets. Green Roofs reduce greenhouse gas, retain stormwater and prevent harmful runoff into water systems, decrease energy costs (particularly air conditioning related expenses, urban heat island mitigation, and contributes to new employment generated
in eco industries.
Bylaw
Green Roofs are required on: New commercial, institutional and residential development with a minimum gross floor area of 2,000 m² New additions to commercial, institutional and residential development where the new gross floor area added is greater than 2,000 m²
- Note: Residential buildings less than 6 storeys or 20 m in height are exempt from being required to have a Green Roof.
Available Roof Space is defined in the Green Roof Bylaw as the total roof area minus the following:
- areas designated for renewable energy;
- residential private terraces;
- residential outdoor amenity space (to a maximum of 2m²/unit); and
- a tower roof on a building with a floor plate less than 750m²
Only the roof areas identified in the Bylaw are permitted to be excluded from the calculation of Available Roof Space.
How the City is incentivizing residential green roofs
City’s Eco-Roof Incentive Program, which supports the installation of green roofs and cool roofs on all types of buildings in Toronto.
Green Your Roof Eco-Roof Incentive Program
The Eco-Roof Incentive Program provides funding for existing buildings, and new buildings not required to construct a green roof as part of the Green Roof Bylaw. Buildings must be located in the city of Toronto. Eligible green roof projects will receive $75 / square metre up to a maximum of $100,000.
- Grants for green and cool roofs Install a green roof or cool roof and get a grant.
- Green roof projects receive $100 / m2
- *Cool roof projects receive $2 - 5 / m2 T
- Applicants who want to construct a green roof on an existing building may also be eligible to receive a structural assessment grant which provides up to $1,000 to offset costs of determining suitability for green roof construction.
The Process: How A Client Applies
Eligibility:
Applicants must own: existing residential, industrial, commercial & institutional buildings;
new low-rise residential buildings less than 5 units.
Applicants must:
Step-by-Btep Guide to Applying for a Green Roof Rebate
- Review the eligibility requirements for green roofs and the program’s Terms and Conditions .
- Contact a Green Roof Professional (GRP) near you to provide advice and a quote. Tip: Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is a member based organization that has a list of qualified GRPs https://greenroofs.org/find-a-grp/. Note: You are not required to hire a contractor, but we recommend that you consult with a green roof professional. City of Toronto staff are not able to recommend a contractor or provide a list of contractors.
- Working with your selected GRP or an engineer, determine if a structural assessment is appropriate for your property. Tip: Grants of up to $1,000 are 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. See attached document.
- Determine the minimum coverage required. Based on the Gross Floor Area (GFA) of your property, determine the minimum percent coverage for your green roof. Use the bylaw chart above.
- Working with your GRP, determine the type of green roof system that you would like to install. Green roof systems are generally classified as extensive, semi-intensive or intensive. think of mass plantings of sedums as extensive, A mix of sedum and other plant materials as semi-intensive and trees, patio, grasses plants or gardens as intensive.
- Working with your GRP or landscape architect, determine the type of plants that are best suited to the conditions of your property. Tip: Choose plants with biodiversity and habitat creation in mind. Pollinators and birds can benefit from green roof habitat. Look at the Design Guidelines for Biodiverse Green Roofs with GRP to identify best practices for creating habitat and promoting biodiversity on green roofs.
- Ready to move forward with your plans? Obtain a permit (Code 492-4PRIVATE TERRACE - Outdoor amenity area on a roof that is available exclusively for use by the occupants of an abutting residential unit for recreational or social activities. All green roofs constructed in Toronto must obtain a permit and must meet the minimum requirements set out in the Green Roof Construction Standard (Article IV of the Green Roof Bylaw). For more information contact Toronto Building Customer Service.
- Gather your supporting documents. Your chosen roofing contractor will be able to provide the required documents. Provide the following supporting documentation when completing the Application Form: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/environmental-grants-incentives/green-your-roof/eco-roof-application/
- Photo of roof: A photo of the roof prior to construction.
- Information about green roof system: Detailed plans of the proposal showing plant material and type of growing medium and construction details.
- Information about the size of the roof: Detailed plans and drawings of the proposal showing the total roof area and total green roof area. All measurements are to be provided in square metres.
- Maintenance Plan: A copy of the maintenance plan as required in the Toronto Green Roof Construction Standard (Article IV of the Green Roof Bylaw ).
- Apply online. Complete the online application form. Be sure to upload all required documents using the online form. Tip: The form can be completed by yourself or the roofing contractor. Most roofing contractors will submit the application form on behalf of their clients. If they do not offer, you may wish to ask them to do so.
- Project approval. Wait to hear back from program staff regarding the status of your application before you begin any work on the roof. Upon receiving approval for funding, you may begin installing the green roof.
- Once roof is complete; Please have your roofing contractor provide the following documentation:
- Photo of the completed roof
- Declaration letter stating the final size of the green roof in square meters. The letter should be dated and signed.
- Invoice showing the cost of the roof installation
- Close your Green Roof Building Permit. In order to close your file and release the grant funding allocated for this project, Eco-Roof program staff require confirmation that the building permit has been closed. Please get in touch with the Buildings Permit office and make arrangements to have your green roof building permit closed. Tip: You will need to book an inspection https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/building-construction/building-inspections/request-a-building-inspection/ to close your building permit.
- Project is verified. A verification form will be sent to the property owner for signature. Please sign, scan and return this form via email.
- Site visit is conducted by Eco-Roof Program Staff. Please arrange a time for a site visit and ensure there is safe access to your green roof.
- Grant payment is issued to the registered property owner. Payment will be made via direct deposit.
- Complete the online application form and submit it online.
https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/environmental-grants-incentives/green-your-roof/eco-roof-application/
For accommodation of special requests and alternative application formats, please contact the Program Manager, Eco-Roof Incentive Program 416-392-1848 or by email at ecoroof@toronto.ca
Have questions about the process? Review the steps provided on this site or contact the Eco-Roof Incentive Program staff at ecoroof@toronto.ca
Application Timing
Applications are accepted and reviewed on an on-going basis. 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.
Who can fill out the application form?
The form can be completed by the property owner or the roofing contractor. Most roofing contractors will submit the application form on behalf of their clients. If they do not offer, you may wish to ask them to do so.
How are applications assessed and approved?
- Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis.
- Applicants will be notified of their application status within two weeks of requesting a grant.
- Application approval is subject to funding availability.
- Projects must not start until approval is received and must be completed within one year of the application approval date.
- Funding recipients will be selected based on the eligibility criteria.
- Applications will be reviewed by a Review Committee, comprised of staff from the Environment and Climate Division, City Planning, Toronto Building and Toronto Water.
The Complete information is at https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/environmental-grants-incentives/green-your-roof/
Also Available is a Structural Assessment Grant:
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
- Green roof projects only
- Existing buildings only
- You must hire a structural engineer licensed to work in the Province of Ontario
- The structural assessment must be completed before the green roof is installed
- 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.)
Conditions of Approval
If the structural engineer determines that the building can support the additional load of a green roof:
A. The applicant installs the green roof – Approved for SAG funding.
B. The applicant does not install the green roof – Not approved for SAG funding.
If the structural engineer determines that the building cannot support the additional load of a green roof:
A. The applicant installs the green roof (with necessary structural amendments) – Approved for SAG funding.
B. The applicant does not install the green roof – Approved for SAG funding.
Required documentation
To be considered for SAG, you must include the following documentation with your green roof funding application:
- A copy of the structural assessment report, which evaluates the ability of a building to hold the weight of a green roof that meets the City’s Green Roof Construction Standards.
- A copy of the paid invoice for the structural assessment.
Amount
SAG will equal the cost of the structural assessment or $1,000.00 (whichever is less).
If proceeding with the green roof project, the SAG amount will be added to the green roof grant payment and dispersed as one total amount:
SAG amount + Green roof incentive amount = Total grant amount
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for a Structural Assessment Grant, please indicate that on your application form.
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