The Denver Green Roof initiative, which was passed on November 7th, will impact a lot of businesses in the area, so it’s important that business owners and managers understand Ordinance 300 and what they need to do to comply. We’ve included a complete guide below.
What is the Green Roof Initiative?
To combat climate change, the Denver City Council proposed an initiative which will place certain requirements on properties larger than 25,000 square feet. Essentially, properties that meet this condition are required to devote a set percentage of their rooftop space to establishing a “green roof,” which can be comprised of either vegetation, solar panels, or a combination of both.
View the complete ordinance proposition here
Required Green Roof space percentages by building size
What is a Green Roof?
The Denverite describes green roofs very well: “green roofs incorporate a system with a waterproof roof membrane, a root barrier, filter fabric, a drainage system, a growing medium (like soil) and plants. They can come in a modular set-up prepared in trays or each component can be installed on top of the building structure. Green roofs can be shallow or deep. The deeper the growing medium, the greater the range of plants that can be grown but also the heavier the roof will be.”
What Are the Benefits of Green Roofs?
By requiring properties of over 25,000 square feet to install green roofs, the Denver City Council believes it will help to significantly cut back on the city’s contribution to climate change, but there are other benefits to following this initiative. Because green roofs are made of different, stronger materials, they last longer and are more effective than standard roofs. The most important thing for businesses to know is that green roofs won’t increase taxes or rent.
How Much Do Green Roofs Cost?
On average, green roofs cost about 2.5 times more than a typical roof, but the payoff for businesses is huge because they typically last four to five times longer. For businesses concerned about this cost, installing solar panels can help to mitigate some of those initial costs and hasten the investment’s payback period.
Can You Be Exempt from the Green Roof Initiative?
Businesses can be exempt from the Green Roof initiative, provided that they cover their roof with solar panels. This would avoid the hassle and cost of roof renovation to install a green roof and maintenance to keep it secure. Also, it allows companies to generate power off the grid, significantly reducing their energy costs in the short and long-term and allowing them further savings through various tax incentives. Installing solar panels is a great way to both comply with and benefit from the Green Roof initiative.
Need Help Complying?
EnergyLink is a certified Energy Service Company and solar installer in the Denver area who can help your company take the proper steps to comply with this new initiative. Call (303) 632-0446 to briefly discuss how we can help now.
