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Eco-Roof Incentive Program

Toronto’s Eco-Roof Incentive Program is designed to promote the use of green and cool roofs on Toronto’s existing commercial, industrial and institutional buildings, and new commercial, industrial and institutional buildings with a gross floor area of less than of 2,000 m2. The program aims  to help Toronto’s business community take action on climate change.

The environmental benefits of eco-roofs are many. Green and cool 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 and cool roof projects 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?
• Program Guidelines
• Eligibility Criteria
• Application Process / Key Dates
• Contact Information

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.

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, institutional or commercial buildings with a gross floor area of less than of 2,000 m².
   3. new and existing Toronto Public and Separate School Board buildings of any size
2. The Eco-Roof Incentive Program provides funds for cool roof projects on:
1. existing commercial, industrial and institutional buildings
3. Green and cool roof projects that are already complete are not eligible for funding. You must submit your application before work on the roof has commenced.
4. Eligible green roof projects will receive $50 / square metre up to a maximum of $100,000.
5. Eligible cool roof projects will receive $2 - 5 / square metre up to $50,000. Cool roofs with a coating applied over an existing roof are eligible for $2 / square metre. Cools roofs with new membranes are eligible for a $5 / square metre.
6. Funding recipients will be selected based on the Eligibility Criteria.
7. 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. The Eco-Roof Incentive Program provides funds for green roof projects on:
1. existing commercial, industrial and institutional buildings
2. new industrial, institutional or commercial buildings with a gross floor area of less than of 2,000 m².
3. new and existing Toronto Public and Separate School Board buildings of any size
2. The Eco-Roof Incentive Program provides funds for cool roof projects on:
1. existing commercial, industrial and institutional buildings
3. Buildings must be located in the City of Toronto.
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. Incentives for cool roof projects will be provided until funds are exhausted. We cannot guarantee funding for your cool roof project will be available.
6. “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).
   
   To be eligible for the Eco-Roof Incentive Program, a Green Roof must meet the following specifications:
1. Be designed and constructed in conformance with the requirements of the Toronto Green Roof Construction Standard.
2. Will have minimum coverage of available roof space* in accordance with the following chart:



Gross Floor Area (Size of Building)	Minimum Coverage of Available Roof Space (Size of Green Roof)
Less than 4,999 m²	20%
5,000-9,999 m²	30%
10,000-14,999 m²	40%
15,000-19,999 m²	50%
20,000 m² or greater	60%

* Available roof space is defined as the total roof area minus areas designated for renewable energy devices.

7. “Cool Roof” means a roofing system with high solar reflectivity and thermal emissivity to reduce the urban heat island effect and can be either a coating applied over an existing roof system or a new waterproofing membrane that meets the performance specifications outlined below.
   
   To be eligible for the Eco-Roof Incentive Program, a Cool Roof must meet the following specifications:
   
1. Cover 100% of the roof area of the building, excluding mechanical equipment or other environmental technologies.
2. Be comprised of a roof material or coating system that:
1. has a minimum Solar Reflectance Index (SRI)rating of 78 for low sloped roofs. Low sloped roofs have a surface slope less than 16.7% (9.5 degrees).
2. has a minimum SRI of 29 for steep slope roofs. Steep sloped roofs have a surface slope greater than 16.7% (9.5 degrees) and less than 41.7% (22.6 degrees).
3. has an emissivity greater than 0.9 and an initial solar reflectance of 0.65 (equivalent to an SRI of 78).
4. is asbestos and mercury-free and emits zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ozone depleting substances (ODSs).

APPLICATION PROCESS / KEY DATES

1. Review the Eco-Roof Program Guidelines and Eligibility Criteria. (as seen above)
2. Read the Terms and Conditions and 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 green or cool roof project must be completed within six months of being notified. Please take this date into consideration when applying for a grant.

4. 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).
5. 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.
6. In addition to the Eco-Roof Application Form, Cool Roof applicants must also submit the following supporting documentation:
1. Detailed plans of the proposal showing percentage coverage, cool roof materials and manufacturer documentation and construction details.
2. A 5 year maintenance plan and contract or equivalent assurance that includes:
1. an annual roof condition assessment and resulting maintenance; all subsequent roof maintenance must meet the cool roof specifications as outlined in the terms and conditions.
2. at minimum, an annual roof cleaning.
3. if applicable, re-coating of cool roof spray as per the life expectancy of the material or site conditions.
4. the inclusion of all maintenance recommendations provided by the manufacturer or materials supplier.
   
7. The City reserves the right to request additional supporting documentation demonstrating that the materials meet the above specifications.
8. 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”).
9. 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
10. 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.
11. 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.

Contact information

For more information about the Eco-Roof Incentive Program please contact:

Annemarie Baynton
Eco-Roof Coordinator, Toronto Environment Office
Phone: 416-392-1848
Fax: 416-338-0808
Email: abaynto@toronto.ca

Mailing address:
Toronto Environment Office
City Hall, 21st Floor, East Tower
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON, M5H 2N2

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