In 2019, Local Laws 92 + 94 brought sustainable engineering to the forefront of construction in NYC.

We applied these laws within the Ciszek Hall Jesuit Residential College project.  What do these Local Laws mean to your building’s energy use?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

• Any new or existing roof construction/renovation must include the addition of one type of sustainable roofing system

WHAT ARE THE AVAILABLE SUSTAINABLE ROOFING SYSTEMS?

• Solar panel with a minimum 4kW capacity

• Green roof

• Combination of solar panels and a green roof

WHAT DETERMINES THE SYSTEM TYPE THAT IS REQUIRED?

• Amount of available roof area

• Slope of the roof

• Building’s occupancy classification

WHICH ROOFS HAVE WHAT REQUIREMENTS?

• Continuous area of 200+ sq. ft and a slope under 2:12

          • Must have 1 of 3 options

          • If solar power capacity is less than 4kW, green roof is the only option

          • A minimum solar panel efficiency of 15% must be used

• Continuous area under 200 sq. ft and a slope under 2:12

          • Combined sustainable roof is not allowed

          • Area must be fully covered with solar panels if above 4 kW capacity

          • If less than 4kW, area must be fully covered with a green roof

• Continuous roof area with a slope higher than 2:12

          • Solar power system is the only option

          • If solar panels have less than 4kW capacity, the roof section is exempt

WHICH ROOFS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE LAWS?

• Roof areas that must be set aside to meet NYC building/zoning requirements

• Roof areas that have mechanical equipment or other important devices. 

• Specific areas occupied by stormwater management systems.

• Building setbacks under 25% of the largest floor plate area in the building

• Recreational spaces important for the building’s occupancy classification

• Roofs that cannot accommodate a minimum 4 kW and with a slope above 2:12 that are unsuitable for green roofs.

• Any area NYC Department of Buildings considers unsuitable for either option

WHO CAN DESIGN A ROOF?

• NYS registered design professional

• Contractor with one of the following credentials:

          • NABCEP Certification – North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners

          • IBEW-NECA Electrical Journeyman & Apprentice Training – International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and National Electrical Contractors Association

          • UL Credential – Underwriters Laboratories