HomeMy WebLinkAboutWorkshop-Design Standards-Metal Roofing
TO: City of Oshkosh Plan Commission
FROM: Steven Wiley, Assistant Planner
DATE: December 15, 2017
RE: Proposed Workshop – Standing Seam Metal Roofing Discussion
BACKGROUND
Earlier this fall the Planning Services Division was contacted by property owners who own a vacant lot
on the 1000 block of Jefferson Street. The owners seek to build a new net zero (energy and water
efficient) home on their lot. The owners would like to install a standing seam metal roof on the
proposed house for a number of reasons including:
Increased longevity of such metal roofing (50 or more years as opposed to 20 years for asphalt
shingles)
Durability of such a roof during hail and other severe weather events
Recyclable nature of metal roofs so less waste
Ability to more easily mount solar panels
Fireproof nature of metal roof construction
Ability to save on heating and cooling costs with a metal roof
RECOMMENDATION
City staff conferred with the property owners and explained that Section 30 -241 (3)(d) prohibits
standing seam metal roofing for new single and two-family residential structures in the City of
Oshkosh. City staff recommended to the applicant that rather than pursue a variance for the use of a
nonconforming roofing material, City staff could hold a workshop with the Plan Commission to
discuss the relevant ordinance section and obtain input from the Commission. City staff recommends
that the Commission hold the workshop to discuss the prohibition on standing seam metal roofing and
provide input on whether:
Relevant ordinance section should remain
Relevant ordinance section could be eliminated
Standing seam roofing could be permitted with conditions on construction methods, etc.
City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 920.236.5000 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us
DRAFT ORDINANCE
(3) Exterior Materials. The exterior materials used for new additions and changes shall be the same
materials or combination of materials as used on the original building.
(a) New additions and changes may be constructed using alternative exterior materials if said materials
are complimentary to the existing materials and tie the addition/change and the original house
together. Some material contrast is permitted, but the difference between new and original materials
shall be subtle. For example, if the original house is sided with wood clapboard, then fiber cement or
vinyl siding of a similar size and width would be suitable for an addition.
(b) The color(s) of materials used for new additions and changes shall match or be complementary to
the color(s) of the original structure.
(c) Exterior patchwork, repair, or reconstruction that results in a multi-textured or multi-colored effect
or an appearance not consistent with the overall design character of the original structure is not
permitted.
(d) Standing seam metal roofs in residential districts shall (require a conditional use permit and) meet
the following conditions along with any additional conditions as deemed appropriate by the Director
of Community Development or designee, and/or the Plan Commission. No standing seam metal roofs
will be permitted on structures in historic districts, unless such structures historically had comparable
standing seam metal roofs. – See Parentheses – If adopted, would we require a CUP or just permit
with all of the following conditions?
1.) Standing seam metal roofs to have a minimum predominant pitch of 4:12. ?? (area for
discussion – some communities’ ordinances included a minimum pitch. Would we want this or
not?)
2.) The standing seam metal roofing material shall have a low-reflectance finish so as to
minimize the amount of light reflected into the sky and windows of adjacent properties.
3.) Any paint applied to the metal roof panels must be applied to such panels at the factory
using materials and a baking or other process that prevents the paint from cracking or chipping
though normal wear and tear of a residential roof. Field applied painting of standing seam
metal roofs is prohibited. Standing seam roofs shall be complimentary to the house color and
limited in color to greys, browns, dark green or a pale green simulating a copper patina color.
4.) The standing seam roofing shall be a minimum thickness of 24-gauge so as to lower the
potential for wind and hail damage.
5.) Seam profiles in standing seam roofs for residential properties to be no greater than 1”.
6.) Standing seam roofing to be professionally installed and include underlayment and/or be
installed per approved manufacturer’s details and instructions so as to be comparable or better
in sound generation during rain and hail events to asphalt shingles.
7.) Exposed fasteners or standing seam roof designs that employ exposed metal fasteners are
not permitted.
City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 920.236.5000 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us
8.) Standing seam metal roofing shall meet all applicable building codes and wind resistance
ratings as deemed necessary by the City’s Inspections Division.
9.) Standing seam metal roofs installed on existing residential construction to be installed per
the aforementioned conditions previously described and existing roofing material to be
stripped off and completely replaced with the metal roofing material in a manner deemed
acceptable to the City’s Inspections Division and Fire Department.
10.) Tin roofs are prohibited.