City of Denver - Green Building Ordinance

Summary

Passed in October 2018, Ordinance No. 1134-18, requires developers of new buildings greater than 25,000 square feet to install a "cool roof" during construction. A "cool roof" is defined as a roof, or portion of a roof, containing roof covering materials meeting certain solar reflectance values that mitigate or assist in reducing urban heat island effect. In addition to this, developers are required to incorporate other green building or energy efficiency measures into their buildings. Developers may choose which measures to incorporate. These may include green spaces, on-site solar panels, off-site renewable energy purchases, demonstration of decreased energy consumption, or LEED Gold or equivalent certification. To view the full list of acceptable measures, click here.

For existing buildings greater than 25,000 square feet, a roof replacement for more than five percent (5%) of either the total roof area or individual roof section must include the installment of a cool roof and one of the following options:

• A Green space covering an area in one (1) of the following amounts, whichever is least:

1. For total roof area replacement: two (2) percent of the gross floor area of the building; for individual roof section replacement: two (2) percent of the gross floor area of the building, multiplied by the area of individual roof section(s) being replaced, divided by the total roof area of the building; or
   b. For total roof area replacement: eighteen (18) percent of the total roof area on the building; for individual roof section replacement: eighteen (18) percent of the individual roof section(s) being replaced.
   

• On-site solar panels
• LEED Silver or equivalent certification
• Payment into the green energy fund