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Eco-Roof Incentive Program

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Please note: Funding for cool roofs ended on December 31, 2011. Applications for green roofs continue to be accepted.

Learn more: Read the Eco-Roof Case Studies 

Toronto’s Eco-Roof Incentive Program is designed to promote the use of green roofs on Toronto’s existing commercial, industrial and institutional buildings, and to help Toronto’s business community take action on climate change.

The environmental benefits of eco-roofs are many. Green roofs help reduce urban heat and associated energy use, which is a particular concern as global temperatures rise. Green roofs also help manage stormwater runoff (reducing the pollutants that enter our waterways), enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, and beautify our city.

Adopted by City Council in 2009, the Eco-Roof Incentive Program is a key element of the City’s Climate Change Action Plan, an aggressive environmental framework aimed at reducing Toronto’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

Performance criteria for the Eco-Roof Incentive Program are consistent with the Green Roof Bylaw and the Toronto Green Standard.

Applications are currently being accepted for green roof projects only and will be reviewed on a monthly basis, subject to funding availability. Applicants will be notified of their application status within six weeks of requesting a grant.

WHAT IS AN ECO-ROOF?

An “eco-roof” may be either a “green roof” that supports vegetation, or a “cool roof” that reflects the sun’s thermal energy.

  • A “Green Roof” is a roof surface that supports the growth of vegetation over a substantial portion of its area for the purpose of water or energy conservation. It is comprised of a waterproofing membrane, drainage layer, organic growing medium (soil) and vegetation. For more information on green roofs, visit www.toronto.ca/greenroofs and www.greenroofs.org
  • A “Cool Roof” is a roofing system with high solar reflectivity and thermal emissivity to reduce the urban heat island effect. It may be either a coating applied over an existing roof system or a new single-ply waterproofing membrane. For more general information on cool roofs, visit www.coolroofs.org/HomeandBuildingOwnersInfo.html

Please note: Funding for cool roofs ended on December 31, 2011. Applications for green roofs continue to be accepted.

While all types of sustainable roofs are encouraged, the City of Toronto’s Eco-Roof Incentive Program does not apply to alternative green technologies such as photovoltaic panels, solar thermal panels or rainwater harvesting equipment. For more information on photo voltaic or solar thermal technologies and incentives, contact Toronto’s Energy Efficiency Office. For more information on rainwater harvesting, contact Toronto Water.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

  1. The Eco-Roof Incentive Program provides funds for green roof projects on:
    1. existing commercial, industrial and institutional buildings
    2. new industrial buildings with a gross floor area of 2,000 m2 or greater.
    3. new institutional or commercial buildings with a gross floor area of less than of 2,000 m2
  2. Green roof projects that are already complete are not eligible for funding. You must submit your application before work on the green roof has commenced.
  3. Eligible green roof projects will receive $50 / square metre up to a maximum of $100,000.
  4. Funding recipients will be selected based on the Eligibility Criteria.
  5. Successful applicants will be required to sign a funding agreement with the City that specifies the following:
    1. The Applicant shall assume all financial and other responsibility for all work related to installation, performance, maintenance, repair and use of the Eco-Roof including, without limitation, the selection of the installers (where applicable), the proper installation of the roof and any consequence arising from the installation of the roof and the compliance with all Laws in respect to such work.
    2. The City will issue payment upon completion of the project provided that:
      1. a complete and compliant Program application has been approved.
      2. the installation is fully completed in accordance with all terms and conditions of this Program.
      3. a permit has been obtained from the Chief Building Official in accordance with the requirements of the Green Roof Bylaw (for Green Roofs only).
      4. documentation provided by the manufacturer or materials supplier has been received by the City verifying the installed Eco-Roof has been completed in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Program, along with accompanying photographs of said Eco-Roof; OR an inspection by the City or its agent verifying the installed Eco-Roof has been completed in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Program.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

  1. All existing commercial, industrial and institutional buildings located in the City of Toronto are eligible.
  2. A green roof on a new industrial building with a gross floor area (GFA) of 2,000 m2 (21,528 sq ft) or greater is eligible.
  3. A green roof on a new institutional or commercial building with a GFA of less than 2,000 m2 is eligible
  4. Priority will be given in the selection process to buildings in areas where urban heat island and stormwater management issues are of particular concern.
  5. “Green Roof” means an extension of an above grade roof, built on top of a human-made structure, that allows vegetation to grow in a growing medium and which is designed and maintained in accordance with the Toronto Green Roof Construction Standard (Toronto BY-law 583-2009).
  6. To be eligible for the Eco-Roof Incentive Program, a Green Roof must meet the following specifications:
    1. Have a continuous coverage of growing media measuring at least 50% of the ground floor area of the building.
    2. Be designed and constructed in conformance with the requirements of the Toronto Green Roof Construction Standard.

APPLICATION PROCESS / KEY DATES

  1. Review the Eco-Roof Program Guidelines and Eligibility Criteria.
  2. Apply online.
  3. Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis, subject to funding availability, and applicants will be notified of whether or not they have been approved for funding within six weeks of their submission.

    Note: Should you be approved to receive an Eco-Roof Incentive grant, your project must be completed within six months of being notified. Please take this date into consideration when applying for a grant.
  1. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the City of Toronto’s Environment Office in advance of their application to discuss their proposals (416-392-1848).
  2. In addition to the Eco-Roof Application Form, Green Roof applicants must also submit the following supporting documentation:
    1. Detailed plans of the proposal showing percentage coverage, plant material and type of growing medium and construction details.
    2. A copy of the maintenance plan as required in the Toronto Green Roof Construction Standard.
  3. The City reserves the right to request additional supporting documentation demonstrating that the materials meet the above specifications.
  4. Compliance with Laws - All applicants shall comply with all applicable laws, by-laws, regulations, orders, directives, requirements and policies of the federal, provincial and municipal governments, including the City, and all applicable court orders, judgments and declarations of a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction, including, without limitation, those laws and regulations applying to building methods and health and safety (collectively referred to as “Laws”).
  5. Applications will be reviewed by an independent Review Committee, comprised of staff from the Toronto Environment Office, City Planning, Toronto Building and Toronto Water. Eligible projects will be evaluated on the basis of:
    1. Completeness of the application
    2. The scale and expected environmental benefits of the project
    3. The visibility and opportunities for public education created by the project
    4. The location of the project. Priority will be given to applications in a designated employment areas
  6. Notwithstanding the above application deadlines, if the City determines that it has received a sufficient number of acceptable applications to achieve the objectives of the Program, it may cease to accept further applications.
  7. Notwithstanding the above application deadlines, if the City determines that it has received an insufficient number of acceptable applications to achieve the objectives of the Program, City Council may suspend the program or further extend the application deadline date at its discretion.