Compliance Pathways For Green Buildings in Denver: One Size Does Not Fit All

When it comes to roofs, one size does not fit all. Although there are standard practices in the roofing industry, there is no one way to build a roof. The materials, design, construction, and structural support needed for a roof varies as much as buildings do. This is why it took over a year of deliberation for the Denver Green Roof Task Force to agree on the compliance options for the new Green Building Law. The fact the green roofs are not the only compliance option (like the original ordinance was written) is evidence that not all roofs can be, or should be, a vegetative roof.

But the result of developing a myriad of options to help people comply was that now building owners have a lot to consider before choosing one. So we decided to break down the pathways for each (with a handy little chart).

New Buildings

Buildings that are new construction have a whopping eight compliance pathways to choose from, and many of them do not require a lot of extra money or labor. All buildings must install a cool roof, and in addition, choose one of the following:

1. Green Roofs and/or Green Space: You’ll need vegetation to occupy 10% of the gross floor area, or cover 60% of the roof area or all available roof space. You are allowed to include the vegetation on the roof, terraces, walls, and at grade level.
2. On-Site Solar Panels: Your system must either produce the equivalent of the total building electricity consumption or have enough panels to cover 70% of the roof.
3. Off-Site Renewable Energy Purchase: The system must either produce the equivalent of the total building electricity consumption or the amount that would be created by a required on-site system.
4. Payment Into the Denver Green Building Fund: You can pay $50 per square foot of coverage that would be required by pathway 1. The contributions of this fund will be used for green space acquisition, improvement, protection, and solar adaptation for low income and affordable housing.
5. Green Space combination: You can opt for a little bit of both, green space and another option (listed below). Your green space must cover 3% of the gross floor area 18% of total roof area or all available roof space.
   1. And on-site solar: Your solar must cover 7% of the gross floor area, 42% total roof area or all available roof space.
   2. And Energy Efficiency: You can also combine green spaces with energy efficient options like LED lighting, double paned windows, and advanced HVAC systems. The energy savings must be a minimum 5% higher than what is required by the Denver energy code.
   3. And Off-site solar: equivalent to electricity produced from on-site solar (5.1) AND estimated energy cost savings 2.5% than Denver energy code.
   4. And Energy Efficiency: Energy cost savings minimum 5% higher than the Denver energy code.
6. Energy Efficiency: If you can’t do green spaces, you can also just do energy efficiency, but your saving must be at minimum 12% higher than the Denver energy code.
7. Green Building Certification: If your building is LEED Gold, National Green Building Standard rated, Enterprise Green Communities rated, or has an equivalent certification, your building automatically compiles.

Existing Buildings

An existing building that is in the process of getting their roofs replaced has five compliance pathways to choose from. All buildings still need to install a cool roof, and in addition, choose one of the following:

1. Green Roofs and/or Green Space: You’ll need vegetation to occupy 2% of the gross floor area, or 60% of the roof area or all available roof space. You are allowed to include the vegetation on the roof, terraces, walls, and at grade level.
2. On-Site Solar Panels: Your system must either cover 5% of the gross floor area, 42% of total roof area, or produce enough to meet 100% of the building annual electricity consumption.
3. Payment Into the Denver Green Building Fund: You can pay $50 per square foot of coverage that would be required by pathway 1.
4. Energy Program: You can opt into a Energy Program that will give you 5 years to achieve similar greenhouse gas reduction created by the On-Site Solar option. There are many energy reductions and solar strategies that can be used, and there are different target requirements for buildings of varying sizes.
5. Green Building Certification: If your building is LEED Silver, National Green Building Standard rated, Enterprise Green Communities rated, or has an equivalent certification, your building automatically compiles. This only applies for roof replacements and you can not choose this option for building additions.

Use the chart below to see which compliance pathways are available for new and existing buildings:

As you can see, many of the options focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and reducing the Urban Heat Island. Doing so will help our city become more resilient and a more comfortable place to live. But does this all feel a little overwhelming? Don’t worry! The experts at Sow Green are here to help! Contact us today and we can walk you through all of your options to make sure you can comply with the latest laws!