Cambridge Climate Resilience Zoning

This zoning amendment package is part of a broad Resilient Cambridge Plan to prepare Cambridge for climate change. The package introduces new zoning standards and amendments to existing regulations. The zoning ordinance introduces the “Green Factor Standard,” which requires applicable sites to achieve a minimum “Cool Score” of 1.0 by including designs that have a cooling benefit. To achieve a minimum Cool Score, any applicable development involving construction of a new building roof or replacement of more than 50% of an existing roof shall have a minimum initial Solar Reflective Index (SRI) of 82, with certain exceptions. In addition, the package amended section 5.23 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance to make solar canopies and usable green roofs easier by providing exceptions to existing height and structure regulations.