Green Roof

A green roof is a roof system with vegetation and drainage that supports sustainability, stormwater management, and energy efficiency.

Green Roof

September 30, 2025


What is a Green Roof?

A green roof is a roof system partially or fully covered with vegetation, soil, and drainage layers above a waterproof membrane. Green roofs may be intensive (deep soil, larger plants) or extensive (shallow soil, low-maintenance vegetation). They provide stormwater management, thermal insulation, and aesthetic value. Some green roofs also include amenity spaces for building occupants.

Why Green Roofs Matter in Real Estate

Green roofs matter in real estate because they contribute to sustainability, reduce the urban heat island effect, and lower cooling loads. They may qualify for tax credits, fee reductions, or development charge credits in some municipalities. Structural requirements, waterproofing, and maintenance plans must be carefully considered to ensure long-term performance.

Example of a Green Roof in Action

A commercial building installs an extensive green roof to retain rainwater and reduce runoff fees. The project also provides improved insulation and enhances the property’s marketability.

Key Takeaways

  • Green roofs manage stormwater and reduce heat island effects.
  • They improve building efficiency and insulation.
  • May qualify for sustainability incentives.
  • Require structural and waterproofing considerations.
  • Offer amenity and biodiversity benefits.

Related Terms

  • Stormwater Management
  • Thermal Performance
  • Maintenance Plan
  • Building Envelope
  • Development Charge Credit

Additional Terms

Public Realm Improvements

Public realm improvements are enhancements to public spaces such as sidewalks, parks, plazas, and streetscapes, often funded or contributed by. more

Mortgagee in Possession

A mortgagee in possession is a lender who takes control of a property after borrower default, but before foreclosure or power of sale. The lender. more

Lease Surrender Agreement

A lease surrender agreement is a negotiated contract between a landlord and tenant that ends a lease before its scheduled expiration. Terms may. more

Green Infrastructure

Green infrastructure refers to natural or engineered systems that manage stormwater, reduce heat, and improve sustainability in developments.. more

Escrow Holdback

An escrow holdback is a portion of funds withheld at closing and held in escrow until specific conditions are met, such as completion of repairs,. more

Underused Housing Tax

The Underused Housing Tax (UHT) is a federal annual 1% tax on the value of vacant or underused residential property owned by non-resident,. more

More For You

Asia Standard Americas Proposes Third Condo Tower On Vancouver's Robson Street

Asia Standard Americas Proposes Third Condo Tower On Vancouver's Robson Street

The 20-storey tower proposed for 1394 Robson Street in Vancouver. (Arcadis, Asia Standard Americas)

With their two-tower Landmark On Robson project now complete, Asia Standard Americas — the North American subsidiary of publicly-traded Hong Kong-based developer Asia Standard International Group — now appears ready to add a third tower to the street.

Landmark On Robson — a 34-storey tower and a 32-storey tower with a total of 237 strata units — is located at 1400 Robson Street, making up the entire block between Nicola Street and Broughton Street in the West End of Vancouver.

Keep ReadingShow less

Insider: July’s Housing 'Balance' Came From Sellers Backing Away

Insider: July’s Housing 'Balance' Came From Sellers Backing Away

Real estate can squeeze a recovery story out of almost any positive decimal.

CREA went with “Canadian Home Sales Climb Again in July.” Fair enough. Seasonally adjusted sales edged 0.5% higher, the fourth consecutive monthly gain. After the year this market has had, four green months were always going to get the full press-release treatment.

Keep ReadingShow less

Canadian Home Sales Climb For Fourth Straight Month In July

Canadian Home Sales Climb For Fourth Straight Month In July
Calgary, Alberta suburb/Shutterstock

National home sales edged up 0.5% month-over-month in July, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association's latest data — the fourth consecutive monthly gain and, per CREA, a near-replica of what happened in June.

Listings fell and prices held steady as the market continued its drift towards balance.

Keep ReadingShow less

Build Canada Homes Takes Over Canada Lands Company's Real Estate Arm

Build Canada Homes Takes Over Canada Lands Company's Real Estate Arm

Canada Lands Company's land holdings and development experience began moving under Build Canada Homes (BCH) — the federal agency tasked with accelerating housing delivery on public land — as of Monday.

James Cox, previously Vice-President, Real Estate (Central Region) at Canada Lands Company, now holds the same title at BCH. Cox spent nearly 16 years at Canada Lands Company, moving through roles including Director of Urban Planning and Project Manager, Director of Real Estate for Ontario and Atlantic, Senior Director of Real Estate for Ontario, and Acting Regional Director of Real Estate for Ontario before stepping into the VP role in 2022.

Keep ReadingShow less
TRENDING: Build Canada Homes Takes Over Canada Lands Company's Real Estate Arm

Grosvenor Signs Doka Canada To 10-Year Lease At Annacis Island

Grosvenor Signs Doka Canada To 10-Year Lease At Annacis Island

Annacis Island

Grosvenor Property Canada (GPC) has signed its second major industrial transaction on Annacis Island this year: Doka Canada Ltd. is set to enter a 10-year lease at 830 Carlisle Street, commencing this month.

The 15-acre property, previously occupied by Russel Metals, will support Doka's continued expansion in Western Canada, effectively doubling the company's existing footprint in Metro Vancouver.

Keep ReadingShow less

Boardwalk REIT, Desjardins Form $292M Western Canada Multi-Family JV

Boardwalk REIT, Desjardins Form $292M Western Canada Multi-Family JV

Elbow 5 Eight at 730 58 Ave SW in Calgary. (Boardwalk REIT)

Calgary-based Boardwalk REIT (TSX: BEI.UN) and Montreal-based Desjardins Global Asset Management (DGAM) have formed a new joint venture focused on acquiring and owning high-quality multi-family assets across Western Canada.

“The intent of both parties is to build a long-term partnership that is expected to grow through future core plus acquisitions similar to the communities acquired in the initial transaction,” said the partners in a press release. “It is understood by both parties that future transactions will be dependent on market conditions.”

Keep ReadingShow less

Crombie REIT Buys Safeway At South Surrey's Ocean Park Shopping Centre For $12.7M

Crombie REIT Buys Safeway At South Surrey's Ocean Park Shopping Centre For $12.7M

Safeway Ocean Park at 12825 16 Avenue in Surrey in 2023. (Google Maps)

Nova Scotia-based Crombie REIT (TSX: CRR.UN) has completed an acquisition of a Safeway in Surrey, British Columbia, according to their Q2 2026 financial report published last week.

The Safeway is located at 12825 16 Avenue, at the northeast corner of the intersection of 16 Avenue and 128 Street in South Surrey.

Keep ReadingShow less

H&R REIT To Be Acquired In $6.7-Billion Deal With GO Residential

H&R REIT To Be Acquired In $6.7-Billion Deal With GO Residential

H&R REIT

H&R Real Estate Investment Trust is being acquired in a $6.7-billion transaction that will merge its residential portfolio into GO Residential Real Estate Investment Trust, the companies announced Tuesday.

H&R unitholders will receive $4.28 per unit in cash plus 0.5688 GO REIT units per H&R unit, valued at $12.01 per unit — a 14.5% premium over H&R's unaffected closing price on June 10, the last trading day before reports surfaced of talks with Blackstone.

Keep ReadingShow less
Privacy PolicyAbout UsTerms of UseAdvertise with UsJobsContact UsRSS Feed
All rights reserved SiteMedia © 2026.