The DC Construction Codes (12 DCMR Title 12-A) require new and replacement low-slope roofs to meet ENERGY STAR cool-roof reflectance standards, reducing urban heat island effects and helping meet Carbon-Neutral 2050 targets.
Under 12-A DCMR Section C402.3 (DC Energy Conservation Code), all new and replacement roofs with a slope below 2:12 must use materials with three-year aged solar reflectance of at least 0.55 and thermal emittance of 0.75, or meet a Solar Reflectance Index of 64. The rule applies to commercial buildings and most multifamily over three stories. DCRA's Building Plans Review Branch verifies compliance during permit review. Exceptions exist for vegetated green roofs, ballasted systems, and rooftop solar arrays, all of which provide equivalent heat-island benefits under DOEE's cool-surfaces guidance.
Permit applications failing to specify cool-roof materials are denied. Post-installation deficiencies trigger stop-work orders and require re-roofing at owner expense before a certificate of occupancy issues.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Washington, DC
Washington DC does not regulate lawn ornaments on private property through a specific ordinance. Statuary, religious displays, and decorative landscape eleme...
Washington, DC
Washington DC has no city ordinance specifically regulating inflatable holiday displays on private property. The primary city concerns are (1) public-space e...
Washington, DC
The District of Columbia does not impose specific install-by or take-down-by dates for holiday lights on private property. City-wide regulation is limited to...
Washington, DC
Washington DC requires Department of Buildings (DOB) permits for built-in outdoor kitchens that involve gas line installation, electrical work, plumbing, or ...
Washington, DC
Washington DC has no smoker-specific ordinance, but smokers and wood-fired ovens are open-flame cooking devices subject to IFC Section 308.1.4 in multi-famil...
Washington, DC
Washington DC adopts the International Fire Code (IFC) as the DC Fire Code (12-G DCMR). IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits charcoal and other open-flame cooking d...
See how Washington's cool roof requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.