Green Roof Requirements Toronto

Smack dab in the heart of the city near the intersection of yonge and wellesley you ll find the central ymca s green roof open all summer long this green space is the very definition of multi use.

Green roof requirements toronto. Under the city s green roof bylaw the transit commission was required to provide 50 per cent green roof coverage. In the early design stage however the ttc s board felt that figure should be increased to 54 per cent and the design builder was able to accommodate that request for a slight increase in the contract award says macdonald. The green roof bylaw sets out a graduated green roof requirement for new development or additions greater than 2 000 m gross floor area as well as governing the construction standards of green roofs. The standard consists of tiers tiers 1 to 4 of performance measures with supporting guidelines that promote sustainable site and building design.

Green roofs has rapidly increased across ontario with the implementation of the green roof bylaw in 2008 toronto has quickly become a hotspot for the green roof industry in north america. 4 central toronto ymca. L plant selection 4. The purpose of the standard is to govern the design and construction of green roofs by setting out minimum requirements that meet the city s objective.

Toronto s green roof industry over the past decade the construction of vegetated roof systems i e. Grants for green roofs and cool roofs grants are available to support the installation of green roofs and cool roofs on toronto homes and buildings. Aerial photo of green roof innovation testing laboratory grit lab test modules. Green roofs support the growth of vegetation and consists of a waterproofing membrane drainage layer organic growing medium soil and vegetation.

The requirement ranges from 20 60 of the available roof space of a building. The required reports and tests set out in s 492 9 toronto green roof construction standard will be submitted to the chief building official including i. Cool roofs reflect the sun s rays and reduce heat build up. Whether constructing a green roof voluntarily or as required by the green roof bylaw all green roofs in toronto at a minimum must conform to the toronto green roof construction standard.

The toronto green standard is toronto s sustainable design requirements for new private and city owned developments. In 2009 toronto was the first city in north america to adopt a bylaw to require and govern the construction of green roofs. There s a raised platform in the middle for exercise classes yoga is a popular one a running track a fountained water feature plus benches for lounging it s. The green roof has been designed to comply with the plant selection and plant coverage requirements of toronto municipal code chapter 492 9.