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Planning Commission backs ‘Better Roofs’ ordinance allowing green‑roof alternative to solar requirement
Summary
The San Francisco Planning Commission voted 5–0 to recommend approval of the Better Roofs Ordinance, which would require most new buildings to install rooftop solar on 15% of rooftop area or use living (green) roofs at a 2:1 square‑foot tradeoff as an alternative. Staff cited ARUP lifecycle work and interagency benefits for stormwater and heat‑island reduction.
The San Francisco Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Better Roofs Ordinance on Sept. 15, advancing a policy that requires most new buildings to install solar on at least 15% of their rooftop area or, alternatively, to provide living (green) roofs at a 2:1 ratio (two square feet of living roof for each square foot of solar not installed).
Planning staff and an adviser from Supervisor Scott Wiener’s office described the proposal as the second phase of the city’s rooftop sustainability effort. The earlier ordinance requires solar or solar‑ready roof area; the new measure would allow living roofs as a compliance option, capped at 30% of roof area for buildings under 10 stories that opt for green roofs instead of solar.
Staff said the alternative was structured on cost comparisons and lifecycle analysis. The presentation cited an ARUP cost‑benefit analysis indicating living roofs can be cost‑effective over 25 years when stormwater and roof‑life benefits are factored in.
Commissioners asked whether living roofs would count against rooftop open‑space requirements and how usable (walkable) living roofs would be treated. Planning staff said the living‑roof option is an alternative compliance path and that implementation details — for example, how much living roof can be designed as accessible open space versus habitat or rainwater capture — will be worked out by planners during permit review. Staff also noted that the 30% living‑roof allowance is focused on buildings under 10 stories where other rooftop equipment and constraints are less extensive.
Public commenters generally supported green roofs but urged the commission to consider rear‑yard open‑space protections and to move forward publicly with residential design guidelines so changes to roof policy don’t encourage loss of ground‑level yards.
The commission voted 5–0 to recommend the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors. The recommendation advances the ordinance for the next legislative steps and directs planning staff to continue interagency coordination on standards and permitting.
Next steps: the ordinance will go to the Board of Supervisors for hearings and potential adoption, followed by technical rulemaking at the department level to define implementation details and permit review standards.
