Ecoroof Incentives

Incentives for ecoroof construction in Portland

Environmental Services will begin accepting Ecoroof Incentive applications again in April 2012.

Ecoroofs Manage Stormwater

Ecoroofs are lightweight, vegetated roof systems that replace conventional roofs with a layer of foliage over a growing medium on top of a waterproof membrane. They are an important part of Portland's efforts to manage stormwater with facilities that work like natural systems. Ecoroofs are an approved stormwater management technique under Portland's Stormwater Management Manual. 

Ecoroof Incentive

The City of Portland offers an incentive to property owners and developers to add more ecoroofs. The next incentive cycle begins in April 2012.

The incentive program is part of Portland's Grey to Green initiative to increase sustainable stormwater management practices, control non-native, invasive plants, and protect sensitive natural areas.

The incentive funds up to $5 per square foot of an ecoroof project. Installation costs for ecoroofs in Portland range from $5 to $20 per square foot.

Incentive Requirements

• The project is within the Portland city limits.
• The project manages stormwater.
• Construction will start within two years of being approved for an incentive.
• The project is feasible and buildable.
• Projects that receive the FAR bonus are eligible for ecoroof incentives.
• Project cannot be complete before the incentive application deadline. 

Ecoroof Benefits

Environmental Benefits

• Manage stormwater
• Increase wildlife habitat
• Filter pollutants
• Reduce the urban heat island effect
• Improve air quality
• Save energy
• Buffer noise

Economic Benefits

• Can double the lifespan of the roof
• May be eligible for a sewer rate discount
• Can lower heating and cooling costs

Social Benefits

• Improve community livability
• Create greenspaces
• Provide educational opportunities
• Connect the community with the natural environment

Evaluation Criteria

• Cost of ecoroof
• Size of ecoroof
• Ratio of ecoroof area to total roof area
• Visibility
• Innovation
• Completeness and accuracy of application

New Diversity/Equity Criteria

Environmental Services is committed to support diversity within the City of Portland. The Ecoroof Program added the following diversity criteria to the Ecoroof Incentive to promote diversity in ecoroof projects. Projects that apply one or more of the following criteria will rate higher during the evaluation process.

• Certified minority-owned and/or women-owned businesses participate in the design or construction of the ecoroof
• The design or construction of the ecoroof includes diverse employment, job training, education opportunities, or partnerships with pre-apprenticeship programs such as Oregon Tradeswomen, Portland Youth Builders, and Constructing Hope
• The ecoroof project is on a building that provides housing for communities of color, disabled, seniors, economically disadvantaged, or environmentally disadvantaged or houses organizations that serve these communities

Review Process

• A committee reviews applications twice a year. 

For More Information

Contact Alice Coker at 503-823-7914.