The rooftops are an area of connected or adjacent rooftops frequently found in fictional worlds. They act as an additional layer to a city or town and may function as an area to be explored, a means to move from one location to another, or a perch to watch over what happens below. The rooftops may offer a respite from the slums or alleyways beneath, but they may come with dangers of their own in the form of gaps between buildings that must be leaped, perilous makeshift bridges that may be dangerous to cross, and roofs that may collapse. The rooftops may lead into the rafters, chimneys, or air vents of a building. They are home to cat burglars, street urchins, superheroes, assassins, and rogues.

When constructing a rooftop area, consider what buildings they may lead to as well as the presence of rooftop gardens, patios, glass skylights, water towers, and other elements. A map of the local area may be helpful. There may be damaged buildings with broken roofs that they connect to or construction sites with scaffolding.