ATLANTA– The Atlanta City Council has approved a groundbreaking ordinance requiring new roofs to meet high solar reflectance standards, making the city a national leader in efforts to fight urban heat and its health impacts.
With the passage of Ordinance 25-O-1310, authored by District 5 Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari, Atlanta will now mandate reflective roofing materials on new construction and roof replacements. The measure is designed to lower temperatures, reduce energy costs, improve public health, and cut carbon emissions.
Councilmember Bakhtiari said the legislation was written with Atlanta’s most at-risk residents in mind.
“This decisive action is about one thing: Responsibility. Responsibility to our residents, to our most vulnerable neighbors, and future generations,” Bakhtiari said. “This legislation is not just about roofs; it’s about resilience. It’s about protecting health, reducing energy burdens, and standing up for communities that have been overlooked for far too long. Atlanta is not just talking about climate justice; we’re delivering it.”
Outdated dark roofs have long contributed to “heat islands,” where certain neighborhoods remain significantly hotter than others due to heat-trapping materials. Those conditions disproportionately endanger seniors, children, and low-income residents who face higher risks of heat-related illness and death.
Public health leaders and energy experts hailed the ordinance as a model for other cities.
- Dr. Jimmie Smith, Jr., president of the Georgia Public Health Association, called it an evidence-based step that will save lives. “This ordinance is projected to cool the city by up to 6.3°F in certain neighborhoods, result in $310 million in energy savings, and prevent millions of tons of carbon emissions,” Smith said. “But more importantly, it will save lives.”
- Steve Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, praised the measure as “a technically brilliant, cost-effective strategy to protect Atlanta from rising heat and rising energy bills.”
- Dr. Brian Stone, Jr., director of Georgia Tech’s Urban Climate Lab, said the ordinance shows “real climate leadership at a moment when local governments must lead.”
- Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association, noted the public health benefits: “Lighter-colored roofs substantially reduce the urban heat island and associated ozone pollution, in turn reducing asthma and COPD exacerbations and lung infections.”
The ordinance amends the city’s building code to establish Roofing Reflectance Standards, requiring specific solar reflectance levels for both steep-slope and low-slope roofs:
- Steep-slope roofs (>2:12 pitch): must achieve a 3-year aged solar reflectance of at least 0.21 and a solar reflectance index (SRI) of at least 20.
- Low-slope roofs (≤2:12 pitch): must achieve a 3-year aged solar reflectance of at least 0.70 and an SRI of at least 85.
Exemptions apply for green roofs, outdoor recreation spaces, fire-code-required equipment, small roof areas, and minor repairs.
The new standards will apply to all new buildings and roof replacements. Permit applications will require documentation of roofing products’ reflectance ratings, and compliance will be reviewed through the city’s permitting process.
Atlanta’s action comes as part of a broader push for environmental justice and climate resilience. The city has already established a Community Energy Trust Fund to help low-income families manage rising utility costs and set a goal of maintaining 50% tree canopy cover across the city.
Bakhtiari emphasized that the new ordinance reflects both climate action and equity: “This legislation protects our communities, lowers bills, and improves quality of life while preparing Atlanta for a hotter future.”
By mandating reflective roofing citywide, Atlanta joins a small but growing group of U.S. cities adopting “cool roof” policies. Experts say the combination of lower temperatures, reduced energy use, and improved public health outcomes makes Atlanta’s ordinance one of the most comprehensive in the country.
