Georgetown Climate Center
Draft DC Urban Heat Compilation
4/4/13
URBAN HEAT PROJECT
COMPILATION OF
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AGENCY POLICY OPTIONS
Christina Hennecken
Sara Hoverter
April 4, 2013
Please do not post or circulate without permission.
This report reflects the views of the authors and not Georgetown University or the District Department of the Environment.
For questions of comments, please contact Sara Hoverter at smp32@law.georgetown.edu or 202-662-4233.
The following is a chart-based compilation of legal authority and policy options for adapting to urban heat in the District of
Columbia. The information is based on three memoranda explaining how the District can increase the use of cool paving, green
roofing, and urban forestry. The memos themselves provide detailed legal analysis about agency authority, the relationships
between agencies, and possible future action. The memos were organized based on categories of policy tools (government
operations, incentives, mandates, and public education).
The following charts lay out policy options and adaptation measures by District agency, alphabetically. Each agency’s chart includes
a column describing adaptation measures the agency is “already doing,” a column indicating what the agency “could do today”
within current authority, and a column for actions that require more authority. These “Need More Authority” columns refer to
adaptation measures that require action by the Council. The Council chart is listed first as a summation of the actions that likely
would need new legislation. Finally, some policy tools appear in multiple charts because they would reach maximum potential as
joint efforts among multiple agencies. For these policy tools, the other agencies involved are listed in parentheses.
Policy Options are color-coded based on which adaptation measure they affect. Asterisks (*)
indicate the policy would affect multiple adaptation measures.
Key:
Cool pavements
Green Roofs
Urban Forestry
Council
Category
Already Doing
Government
Operations
 Anacostia Waterfront tree canopy
mandate for publicly owned and
publicly financed projects
Incentives
 LEED Standards for non-residential
properties over 50,000 sq. ft.
(Council)**
 Construction codes contain cool
roofs provision requiring flat or lowsloping roofs to be covered with at
least 75% energy efficient material.
 Coal tar ban
 Urban Forest Preservation Act: tree
protection ordinance (trees with 40+
inch circumference)
o Tree Fund: min. $1,925 fee
per tree removed
Mandates
Public
Education
Could Do Today
 Expand tree canopy mandate to hotspots (in addition to stormwater management
problem spots)
 Establish minimum tree canopy standards
o Option: set aside 1% of capital projects budget for landscaping on District
properties
o Option: set tree cover requirements based on total property acreage
 Require that any trees removed from District property be replaced by a greater ration
than 1:1.
 Expand the Green Building Act to apply to more types of properties**
o Allow DDOE and DCRA to give expedited permitting and land use density
bonuses for development design that adds to tree canopy
 Create a property tax credit based on expenses for installing green roofs on homes.
 Tax credits for preservation of large or significant trees during development
 Tax legislation to freeze property values when owners plant a certain threshold amount
of tree canopy
 Mandate that asphalt used to pave privately owned parking lots and driveways be
surfaced with light colored aggregate
 Enact changes to the construction codes expanding green roof provision
 Expand Anacostia Waterfront tree canopy mandate to privately owned properties.
 Enact city-wide landscaping ordinance (basing planting requirements on development
size)
 Amend Energy Efficient subtitle of DC Code to include shade trees for new development
 Expand Urban Forest Preservation Act to protect smaller trees
o Increase required fees for tree removal to go to Tree Fund
 Establish a School Trees Program (like School Gardens Program)
2
Policy Options are color-coded based on which adaptation measure they affect. Asterisks (*)
indicate the policy would affect multiple adaptation measures.
Key:
Cool pavements
Green Roofs
Urban Forestry
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Category
Already Doing
Could Do Today
Government
Operations
Incentives
 Expedited Permit Review for Green
Building Design and LEED Gold
(DDOE)
 Construction codes contain cool roofs
provision requiring flat or low-sloping
roofs to be covered with at least 75%
energy efficient material. (DDOE)
 Promulgate a rule creating design guidelines that
promote green roofs (targeting areas most
affected by urban heat)
 Prioritize expedited permitting for projects that
choose cool pavements as a way of meeting LEED
standards or for projects using Green Roofs (DDOE)
 Create a zoning code review expedited permit
program.
 Propose expanding the cool roof provision in the
construction codes
o Increase specified slope
o Increase require roof coverage
o Mandate green roofs at hotspots
Mandates
Need More Authority
 Apply the Green Building Act
to apply to more types of
properties**
o Give expedited
permitting and land
use density bonuses
for development
design that adds to
tree canopy (DDOE)
 Enforce potential changes to
the construction codes
expanding green roof
provisions
Department of Environment
Category
Government
Operations
Already Doing
 Stormwater Retention Volume
Rates**
 Anacostia Waterfront tree canopy
mandate for publicly owned and
Could Do Today
 Promulgate a rule for general albedo standards for
public paving operations, targeting hotspots
Need More Authority
 Apply Anacostia Waterfront
tree canopy mandate to
hotspots (in addition to
stormwater management
problem spots)
3
Policy Options are color-coded based on which adaptation measure they affect. Asterisks (*)
indicate the policy would affect multiple adaptation measures.
Key:
Cool pavements
Green Roofs
Urban Forestry
publicly financed projects (DCRA)
Incentives
 LEED Standards for non-residential
properties over 50,000 sq. ft.
(Council)**
 Expedited Construction Permit
Review for Green Building Design and
LEED Gold (DCRA)
 Stormwater User Fee Discount of 55%
for property owners who improve
stormwater management (DC
Water)**
 Strengthened Stormwater Volume
Retention Rate requirements for
projects over 5,000 sq. ft.**
 RiverSmart Homes
o permeable pavement grants
o landscaping rebates
 Riversmart Schools
 Casey Trees Tree Rebate
 Green roof subsidy program
 Construction codes contain cool roofs
provision requiring flat or low-sloping
roofs to be covered with at least 75%
 Prioritize expedited construction permitting for
projects that choose cool pavements as a way of
meeting LEED standards or for projects using Green
Roofs (DCRA)
 Increase the maximum discount for the stormwater
user fee discount**
 Expand RiverSmart Homes to make apartments and
condos eligible
 Make a grant program for non-residential projects that
use cool pavements
 Expand GAR requirements to give credit for the use of
light-colored pavements (OP)
 Expand the green roof subsidy program to more than
$5/sq.ft. and for projects larger than 5,000 sq.ft.
 Partner with Pepco and oversee Pepco’s tree giveaway
to target hotspots
 Make a grant program for tree planting through the
Enterprise Fund
 Apply minimum tree canopy
standards
o Option: set aside 1%
of capital projects
budget for
landscaping on
District properties
o Option: set tree
cover requirements
based on total
property acreage
 Require that any trees
removed from District property
be replaced by a greater ration
than 1:1.
 Apply the Green Building Act to
apply to more types of
properties**
o Give expedited
permitting and land
use density bonuses
for development
design that adds to
tree canopy (DCRA)
4
Policy Options are color-coded based on which adaptation measure they affect. Asterisks (*)
indicate the policy would affect multiple adaptation measures.
Key:
Cool pavements
Green Roofs
Urban Forestry
Mandates
Public
Education
energy efficient material. (DCRA)
 Strengthened Stormwater Volume
Retention Rate requirements for
projects over 5,000 sq. ft.
 Online Stormwater Guidebook with
information about using permeable
pavement
 Online tool GreenUp DC with
information on planning green
projects, including where to find
contractors and information on
District incentives
 List of green roof tours online.
 Webpage about green roofs.
 Green D.C. Schools
 Promulgate a rule requiring high albedo levels for
private paving projects
 Limit impervious surfaces in the hottest areas or where
serious stormwater management problems exist
through the zoning code (OP, ZC)
 Expand GAR to include the use of light-colored
pavements in its point system (OP, ZC)
 Make information available online about the problem
of urban heat and the benefits of light-colored
pavement
 Run a media campaign about the benefits of cool
pavement (DC Water)
 Hold a builders workshop educating private paving
companies on the use of permeable pavement
 Use Green Building Fund to pay for a variety of
education projects at the Mayor’s discretion**
 Organize green roof tours on District facilities
 Expand the list of available green roof tours at private
properties
o Make tours a requirement for the green roof
subsidy program.
o Give funding priority/more funding to subsidy
program applicants who agree to give tours.
 Expand its website to provide more information about
green roofs.
 Create a grant program for public education programs
regarding protecting natural resources and runoff
reduction.**
 Distribute brochures and flyers about urban heat
adaptation**
 Direct human outreach to inform residents about the
benefits of trees (UFA)
 Apply Anacostia Waterfront
tree canopy mandate to
privately owned properties.
 Enact city-wide landscaping
ordinance (basing planting
requirements on development
size)
 Amend Energy Efficient
subtitle of DC Code to include
shade trees for new
development
 Establish a School Trees
Program (like School Gardens
Program) (DCPS, possibly UFA)
5
Policy Options are color-coded based on which adaptation measure they affect. Asterisks (*)
indicate the policy would affect multiple adaptation measures.
Key:
Cool pavements
Green Roofs
Urban Forestry
 Spotlight tree planting events (UFA)
o Examples: street trees or trees in park space
o Combined with tree giveaways and
consultations
 Partner with Pepco to include tree information in the
mail with bill statements
 Develop Environmental Literacy Plan to include
information on tree planting (DCPS)
Department of General Services
Category
Already Doing
 Promotes green building by prioritizing
contractors who fulfill or exceed current
LEED standards for government facilities.**
Government
Operations
Public Education
Could Do Today
 Use permeable or light-colored pavements in government facility parking lots
(DGS)
 Prioritize green roofs on their facilities.
 Prioritize plans that include a minimum amount of tree canopy
 Help DC Water create demonstration projects for its Clean Rivers Project.
 Give green roof tours.
Department of Transportation
Category
Government
Operations




Already Doing
Green Alley Pilot Project
Limestone Grey Concrete and Brick Sidewalks
Coal tar ban
Urban Forestry Administration
o Pavement Removal Program
 Complete Streets Policy (prioritizes and allocates
Could Do Today
 Use light pavements in general paving
projects. Examples:
o white cement on sidewalks
and parking lots
o asphalt with light colored
aggregate on roads and
Need Additional Authority
 Seek NCPC approval for design
changes to the Downtown
Streetscape
 Amend Downtown Streetscape
Regulations to allow for lightcolored and permeable
6
Policy Options are color-coded based on which adaptation measure they affect. Asterisks (*)
indicate the policy would affect multiple adaptation measures.
Key:
Cool pavements
Green Roofs
Urban Forestry
tree spaces)
Incentives
Mandates
Public
Education
parking lots
 Use permeable pavement in general
paving projects (roads, sidewalks,
shoulders, alleys, etc.)
 Start a Landscape Medians program
 UFA Green Grant
 Downtown Streetscape tree planting mandate in
public right of way
 Urban Forest Preservation Act: tree protection
ordinance (trees with 40+ inch circumference)
o Tree Fund: min. $1,925 fee per tree
removed
 Green Alley Pilot Project demonstrating the
effectiveness of permeable pavement
 Urban Forestry Assessment online (UFA)
 Canopy Keepers tree maintenance program
pavement on sidewalks in that
area (NCPC)
 Use Urban Forest Preservation
Act to protect smaller trees
o Increase required fees
for tree removal to go
to Tree Fund
 Expand the Green Alley Pilot Project
and better publicize completed alleys
(DDOT)
DC Housing Authority
Category
Government
Operations
Public Education
Already Doing
 12 year sustainability plan encouraging green
building materials
Could Do Today
 Prioritize green roofs on their facilities.
 Prioritize tree planting on their facilities.
 Go beyond Green Communities standards and ensure that surrounding
properties have sufficient tree canopy.
 Help DC Water create demonstration projects for its Clean Rivers Project.
 Give green roof tours.
7
Policy Options are color-coded based on which adaptation measure they affect. Asterisks (*)
indicate the policy would affect multiple adaptation measures.
Key:
Cool pavements
Green Roofs
Urban Forestry
DC Public Libraries
Category
Already Doing
 Library Building Program specifies that each
library meet LEED standards; many have
green roofs.
Government
Operations
Could Do Today
 Prioritize green roofs at all libraries.
 Share best practices for installing green roofs with DGS, DCHA, and DC Water.
 Help DC Water create demonstration projects for its Clean Rivers Project.
 Give green roof tours.
Public Education
DC Water
Category
Government
Operations
Incentives
Public
Education
Already Doing
 Incorporating green infrastructure into its facilities through new
construction and renovations.
o Tree infiltration systems
 Clean Rivers Project
 Stormwater User Fee Discount of 55% for property owners who
improve stormwater management (DDOE)
Could Do Today
 Prioritize green roofs on its facilities.
 Give green roof tours.
 Low Impact Development program (for low income
residents)
 Run a media campaign about the benefits of cool
pavement (DDOE)
8
Policy Options are color-coded based on which adaptation measure they affect. Asterisks (*)
indicate the policy would affect multiple adaptation measures.
Key:
Cool pavements
Green Roofs
Urban Forestry
Historic Preservation Office
Category
Already Doing
Could Do Today
 Modify its design guidelines to address green roofs
 Clarify how permit applicants can add green roofs to historic buildings
 Create a new set of design guidelines for green building features (w/HPRB approval)
Government
Operations
Office of Planning
Category
Already Doing
Government
Operations
Incentives
 Green Area Ratio requirement
for small commercial
properties and low-density
residential areas (ZC)
Mandates
 Zoning regulations allow for
the use of permeable concrete
and permeable asphalt (ZC)
 Green Area Ratio requirement
for small commercial
properties and low-density
residential areas (ZC)
Could Do Today
Need More Authority
 Amend the zoning code to incorporate DDOE’s general albedo
standards for public paving operations onto zoning overlays targeting
hotspots (DDOE, ZC)
 Expand GAR requirements to give credit for the use of light-colored
pavements (DDOE)
 Draft an expedited permitting program for zoning code review in the
updated zoning code, giving priority to green roofs.
 Expand existing Floor Area Ration bonus for green roofs in zoning
code revisions to apply to more building types and/or more zoning
districts
 Modify the GAR regulations to give more points for green roofs
 Modify the maximum height exception to promote green roofs
 Limit impervious surfaces in the hottest areas or where serious
stormwater management problems exist through the zoning code
(DDOE, ZC)
 Expand GAR requirements to affect more than small commercial and
low-density residential areas (ZC)
 Expand GAR to include the use of light-colored pavements in its point
system (DDOE, ZC)
 Amend the zoning
code to require that
asphalt used to pave
privately owned
parking lots and
driveways be
surfaced with light
9
Policy Options are color-coded based on which adaptation measure they affect. Asterisks (*)
indicate the policy would affect multiple adaptation measures.
Key:
Cool pavements
Green Roofs
Urban Forestry
 Draft provisions into the zoning code update that directly mandate
green roofs.
 Draft environmental stewardship provisions into the zoning update
that establish review criteria for more districts (similar to the Union
Station North District criteria)
colored aggregate
Zoning Commission
Category
Already Doing

Government
Operations
Incentives
Mandates
Could Do Today
 Green Area Ratio requirement for small commercial
properties and low-density residential areas (OP, ZC)**
 Floor Are Ratio Bonus for the Downtown Development
Overlay District for green roofs.
 Zoning regulations allow for the use of permeable concrete
and permeable asphalt (OP)
 Union Station North District Review Criteria: requiring permit
applicants to demonstrate a high degree of environmental
stewardship. (green roofs are listed)
 Tree and Slope Protection Overlay District (trees over 12
inches)
 Forest Hills Tree and Slope Protection Overlay District
Amend the zoning code to incorporate DDOE’s general albedo
standards for public paving operations, targeting hotspots.
(DDOE, OP)
 Create an expedited permitting program for zoning code review.
o Zoning Administrator could prioritize zoning code
review for buildings with green roofs.
 Limit impervious surfaces in the hottest areas or where serious
stormwater management problems exist through the zoning
code (DDOE, OP)
 Expand GAR requirements to affect more than small commercial
and low-density residential areas (OP)
 Expand GAR to include the use of light-colored pavements in its
point system (DDOE, OP)
 Establish a Heat Island Overlay**
o More stringent tree and landscaping requirements
o Impervious surface limits*
10