NYC Ordinance Requiring Green or Solar Roofs

Under Local Laws 92 and 94 of 2019, a “sustainable roofing zone” is required on new buildings and projects involving replacing the entire roof. For areas smaller than 200 square feet, solar PV is required where it is possible to reach 4kW of capacity. If site conditions make that impossible, a green roof is required. For larger areas, property owners can between a solar or a green roof, or use combination of the two. On residential buildings six stories or less, the thresholds drop to 100 square feet. On high slope roofs, solar PV is required wherever it is possible to achieve 4kW of capacity; otherwise the high-slope roof is exempt (but may still be subject to cool roof standards in the city’s building code).