Local Roof Initiatives

 

Local Initiatives

 

Many communities and local governments have taken steps to develop cool roof programs by launching demonstration projects, installing cool roofs on public buildings and including cool roofs in local building requirements and/or policies.

Click the links below to explore many of the voluntary programs and local initiatives that actively promote cool roofs in California

  • Berkeley Climate Action Plan The City of Berkeley is pursuing a requirement to install cool roofs on commercial buildings for new construction or re-roofing projects as part of the city’s promotion of energy efficiency in their climate action plan.
  • Chula Vista Climate Action Plan The City of Chula Vista performed a cost-benefit analysis of cool roof options, in conjunction with San Diego Gas & Electric. The results of this analysis were used to inform a 2012 revision to the city building code that increased the minimum cool roof requirements – now consistent with those in the CalGreen code, voluntary Tier 2. (See Cool Roofs: Codes and standards section for review of requirements.)
  • Contra Costa County Municipal Climate Action Plan Contra Costa County’s Municipal Climate Action Plan creates a standard for cool roofs in new county buildings and remodels. The county is also looking to upgrade county buildings with cool roofs.
  • City of Los Angeles Cool Roof Ordinance The city passed in December 2013 a cool roof ordinance requiring all new residences or existing residences undergoing roof renovations to install cool roof products. This includes single-family and multi-family buildings. To aid this transition, the LA Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is offering cool roof rebates. Learn more about the LADWP program on the Rebates & Incentives page.
  • Marin County Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan As a part of the Cities for Climate Protection campaign, Marin County includes installation of reflective roofing as a part of their Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan.
  • Martinez Climate Action Plan The City of Martinez is mitigating their urban heat island by promoting cool community strategies – cool roofs, cool pavements and urban vegetation – in their climate action plan. The city is planning to adopt new building codes along with new parking and landscape regulations to implement the cool community strategies.
  • Menlo Park Climate Change Action Plan Menlo Park’s Climate Action Plan proposes the use of reflective and energy star roofing materials in some city buildings. Menlo Park is also looking to begin an energy efficiency and renewable energy financing program, which would bring low interest loans to fund projects like cool roofs.
  • San Diego Climate Change Protection Action Plan The City of San Diego’s Climate Change Protection Action Plan seeks to adopt a heat island mitigation policy for the city. The policy would include utilizing alternative cool materials for roofs and pavement to reduce the heat island effect.
  • San Jose's Green Vision San Jose’s Green Vision integrates cool roofs as a part of efforts in energy efficiency. San Jose is also partnering with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to be the first pilot Cool City.
  • Sonoma County Community Climate Action Plan The Sonoma County Community Climate Action Plan outlines a plan to integrate cool roofs onto county buildings.
  • Union City Climate Action Plan Union City plans in their Climate Action Plan to promote the use of cool roof technology.
  • Town of Windsor Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Action Plan Part of the Town of Windsor’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Action Plan aims to put cool roofs on several public buildings. Windsor also has green building standards, which include cool roof measures.