Toronto Green Roof Initiative

The green roof bylaw sets out a graduated green roof requirement for new development or additions greater than 2 000 m gross floor area as well as governing the construction standards of green roofs.

Toronto green roof initiative.

Green roofs support the growth of vegetation and consists of a waterproofing membrane drainage layer organic growing medium soil and vegetation. The toronto based organization green roofs for healthy cities estimates an increase of about 15 percent in the number of green roofs in north america since 2013. Toronto green roof inc. Replacing black asphalt and.

Grants for green roofs and cool roofs grants are available to support the installation of green roofs and cool roofs on toronto homes and buildings. Owners who install a green roof a surface that supports the growth of vegetation can apply for 50 per square metre up to a maximum of 100 000. Grhc develops and protects the market by increasing the awareness of the economic social and environmental benefits of green roofs green walls and other forms of living architecture through education advocacy professional development and celebrations of excellence. In 2009 toronto was the first city in north america to adopt a bylaw to require and govern the construction of green roofs.

Thanks to a 2010 bylaw mandating that new commercial and residential buildings in toronto reserve at least 20 percent of their roof space for vegetation toronto was recently recognized for having installed the most green roof area in north america. The green roof bylaw sets out a graduated green roof requirement for new development or additions that are greater than 2 000 m in gross floor area. Toronto s leadership in green roof policy began with the development of a green roof strategy for the city which would lay the foundation for requiring green roofs on new development in 2009.