City Council adopts cool-roof standard for building code with one-year implementation window

The Atlanta City Council on June 2 approved an amendment to the city building code that adds roofing reflectance standards intended to reduce urban heat and related air pollution.

The council adopted the measure as substituted after a committee process and an amendment that officials said allows roughly 12 months for implementation so manufacturers, roofing contractors and insurers can adjust. "The American Lung Association strongly supports the city of Atlanta's building code to add a new section for roofing reflectance standards to reduce heat through the promotion of cool roofs," said Dana Thompson, advocacy director for the American Lung Association in Georgia, during public comment.

Supporters told the council cool roofs — lighter-colored roofing materials that reflect more solar radiation than traditional dark roofs — can lower rooftop temperatures and help reduce ground-level ozone, which forms more readily in hotter conditions. Thompson cited the association's report finding the Atlanta metropolitan area ranked 48th worst for high-ozone days and said cool roofs “will reduce urban heat, reduce air pollution, including ozone, and protect the health for all of Atlanta residents, especially its most vulnerable.”

Council members who shepherded the ordinance said the extra year is intended to address supply, cost and implementation issues raised by industry groups. Councilmember Lilliana Bakhtiari, District 5, said the extension is “for the record” to give time for meetings with homebuilders, material suppliers, insurance representatives and community stakeholders. The Council’s Community Development and Human Services Committee recommended the ordinance as amended; the full council approved the substitute by recorded vote.

The ordinance is intended to be phased in to reduce disruptions to roofing supply chains and cost impacts for residents who must reroof their homes. Industry representatives who testified urged flexibility on timing and on how the standard will apply to different building types. The council and departments agreed to ongoing engagement over the coming year to refine implementation and to monitor material availability.

The new code section was adopted as substitute (item 25-O-1310) with the council voting in favor on final action. The ordinance directs the Department of City Planning and the building code enforcement units to implement the standard and report back to council on the rollout timetable and compliance issues.

Council staff said the council plans periodic check-ins during the implementation year and added that any further timing or scope changes would come back to the council for consideration.