Zoning Administrator (ZA) Bulletin No. 11: Better Roofs Ordinance

This ZA Bulletin is an overview of the Planning Code and Green Building Code. There are requirements for new building construction to facilitate the development of renewable energy facilities and Living Roofs. These standards require that 15% of the roof space on most new construction is solar. These requirements can also be met by providing 30% of the roof space as a Living Roof (i.e. green or vegetated roof), or installing a combination of both solar and Living Roof. The Living Roof option will allow a project sponsor to replace the required solar with Living Roof at a ratio of 2 square feet of living roof for every 1 square foot of solar.

The Better Roofs requirements apply to all projects proposing new construction that meet all of the following below:

1. are non-residential with a gross floor area of 2,000 square feet or more, or residential of any size;
2. has 10 or fewer occupied floors; and
3. applies for a site permit or building permit on or after January 1, 2017.

For questions, you can call the Planning counter at 628.652.7300 or email pic@sfgov.org where planners are able to assist you.