Council committee forwards cool-roof building-code amendment after debate on costs and implementation

The City Utilities Committee voted to advance an ordinance amending the City of Atlanta building code to add minimum roofing reflectance standards, a measure proponents said would reduce urban heat and require light-colored or higher-reflectance roofing materials for full roof replacements and new construction.

Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari, who introduced the ordinance, said the measure is a cost-effective way to reduce urban temperatures. Bakhtiari told the committee the science shows that “if we hit 80% coverage, it would actually reduce the city's overall temperature by 2 and a half degrees.” She asked colleagues to pass the ordinance and referred the paper to the Committee on Community Development, Housing and Safety (CDHS) for dual review.

Alex Fennell, chief policy officer in Bakhtiari’s office, described the proposal as “essentially cost neutral.” Fennell told the committee that many metal and tile products are already compliant and that newer asphalt roofing materials that meet the proposed reflectance standards are widely available; she said most compliant asphalt shingles are “available at the same cost or maybe $2.03 cents more per square foot than other asphalt roofing tiles.” Fennell said the measure intentionally excludes repairs and would apply only to full roof replacements and new construction.

Committee members pressed on several points: coverage across zoning types, commercial standards, whether the city was first to adopt such a broad rule, potential supply-chain impacts and consequences for lower-income homeowners. The sponsor and staff said the ordinance would apply across residential classifications (including single-family) and would raise some commercial reflectance thresholds modestly above state minimums. Staff said the Office of Buildings has a statutory 90-day review window to comment on any increase above the state minimum standard; if Buildings or City Planning objects, the paper returns to council.

Several councilmembers requested more input from the building industry, a clearer cost analysis and consideration of a phased implementation. Councilmember Alice Warren and others urged additional departmental engagement up front rather than relying on a post-adoption 90-day review. Bakhtiari’s office said it had circulated drafts to law, the Office of Buildings and stakeholder groups and would provide supplemental materials to the committee.

A motion to advance the ordinance carried on a committee vote of 4 yeas and 2 abstentions. Committee leadership recorded the item as favorable and said it will be referred to CDHS for further review and action. Staff and the sponsor said they will provide additional materials requested by members before full council consideration.