Urbanstrong Celebrates Policy Changes to NYC's Green Roof Tax Abatement Program

Urbanstrong is thrilled to announce the recent passage of significant updates to NYC’s Green Roof Tax Abatement program. This program provides building owners with a financial incentive to install a green roof by offering property tax reductions. The recent policy changes aim to make it easier and more attractive for building owners to participate, setting the stage for expanded green infrastructure across the city.

Key Updates to the Green Roof Tax Abatement Program

NYC Advocates Push to Extend Green Roof Tax Abatement: Urbanstrong celebrates policy changes to New York City’s green roof tax abatement program which has now been extended until June 30, 2027, providing a longer timeframe for building owners to take advantage of the incentives.

Coverage Requirement Removed: The previous minimum requirement for green roofs to cover at least 50% of the eligible rooftop space has been eliminated, allowing for more flexibility in design and implementation.

Reduced Growth Medium Depth: The minimum depth for the growth medium has been reduced from 2 inches to 1.5 inches in both priority and non-priority districts. This change lowers installation costs and makes it easier to implement green roofs.

Controlled Flow Roof Drain Requirement Removed: The requirement for a controlled flow roof drain has been removed, simplifying the installation process.

Increased Abatement Rates: The standard abatement rate has been raised from $5.23 to $10 per square foot in non-priority districts. In priority districts, which face greater challenges such as stormwater management and urban heat islands, a larger $15/sf abatement is available.

Higher Aggregate Cap: The program's aggregate cap has been increased from $1 million to $4 million per year. While this is a significant improvement, further advocacy is needed to raise this cap to better match the scale of New York City's needs.

Application Process: Abatements will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for filing applications is March 15, 2026, with abatements commencing no later than June 30, 2027.

Low Uptake of the Green Roof Tax Abatement to Date

Despite the proven financial benefits green roofs bring to building owners, uptake of the Green Roof Tax Abatement program has been low. In December 2023, Urbanstrong filed a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request with the NYC Department of Finance to inquire about the program's success rate. The response, received in May 2024, revealed that only four buildings have successfully received the abatement. These buildings included two in Brooklyn, one in the Bronx, and one in Staten Island. Two of these projects received the non-priority rate of $5.23 per square foot, while the other two received the Enhanced rate of $15 per square foot. The four abatements averaged $11,000 each.

Urbanstrong hopes that the recent policy changes will encourage more building owners to invest in green infrastructure. By making the program more accessible and financially attractive, we aim to see an increase in green roof installations, benefiting the entire community through enhanced environmental and public health outcomes.

FAQ Related Urbanstrong Celebrates Policy Changes Green Roof Tax Abatement Program

Urbanstrong is thrilled to announce significant updates to our services in light of recent policy changes. Discover how the new Green Roof Tax Abatement Program can benefit you.

What is the NYC Green Roof Property Tax Abatement program?

New York City’s Green Roof Property Tax Abatement Program offers a one-time tax abatement to property owners who install green roofs on their buildings. This initiative provides financial incentives to promote environmental benefits such as reduced stormwater runoff, improved building insulation, and reduced urban heat island effects.

How much is the tax abatement per square foot?

The standard tax abatement is now $10 per square foot city-wide. However, an enhanced rate of $15.00 per square foot is available for properties located in designated priority districts, which face greater environmental challenges. For more information on the Enhanced Green Roof Property Tax Abatement, please see this post:

Read more: Which NYC Neighborhoods Are Eligible for the Enhanced Green Roof Property Tax Abatement?

What are the environmental benefits of a green roof?

Green roofs offer several environmental benefits, including managing stormwater runoff, reducing the urban heat island effect, improving air quality, and providing insulation, which can lead to energy savings for the building.

What are the structural requirements for a building to support a green roof?

A Professional Engineer or Registered Architect must certify that the building can support the additional weight of a green roof. This ensures that the structure is safe and capable of handling the added load from the green roof system. A good rule of thumb is that when green roofs are fully saturated, they typically weigh approximately 6.5 pounds per square foot per inch of depth of green roof. A four inch (4") deep green roof would then weigh roughly 26 pounds per square foot when it's holding its maximum amount of stormwater.

How do I apply for the tax abatement?

Applications for the tax abatement must be submitted to the NYC Department of Buildings. The application process requires various documentation, including a maintenance plan and certification from a professional designee. The abatement is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to download the NYC Green Roof Property Tax Abatement Program Guide.

What is the maximum tax abatement available?

Even with this new policy update, the maximum tax abatement available is still capped at $200,000 or the total amount of property taxes due for the building in that tax year, whichever is less. This cap ensures that the program is accessible to a wide range of building owners.

Are there specific plants that must be used in a green roof?

The green roof must primarily include sedum or other drought-resistant flora to qualify for the tax abatement. These plants are ideal for green roofs because they can thrive with minimal water and maintenance.

How long does the abatement apply?

The abatement is a one-time thing, not recurring. It applies to the following tax year. However, if the abatement amount exceeds the building's total property tax liability for that year, it can be spread over up to five years to ensure full benefit utilization.

What areas are considered priority districts for the enhanced abatement?

Priority districts are designated based on criteria such as the Heat Vulnerability Index, the availability of green space, and the presence of Combined Sewer Overflow areas. These districts are targeted for enhanced abatement rates due to their greater environmental and public health challenges. For a full list of which Community Districts the NYC Mayor’s Office of Sustainability deemed eligible for the Enhanced Green Roof Property Tax Abatement, please see this post: Which NYC Neighborhoods Are Eligible for the Enhanced Green Roof Property Tax Abatement?

What were the primary goals of NYC's Green Roof policy and how do NYC Green Roof policies strengthen climate resilience?

The primary goals of NYC's Green Roof Policy are to manage stormwater, mitigate urban heat island effects, improve air quality, enhance energy efficiency, promote biodiversity, provide aesthetic and recreational benefits, and strengthen climate resilience. NYC green roof policies strengthen climate resilience by reducing stormwater runoff, which alleviates the burden on the city's drainage systems during heavy rainfalls and reduces flooding risks. Green roofs also lower urban temperatures, improve air quality by capturing airborne pollutants, and provide insulation, which reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. These combined benefits enhance the city's overall ability to cope with and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

For more information or assistance with the application process, Urbanstrong is here to help! Contact us to learn how you can take advantage of these new incentives and contribute to a greener NYC.