Net all-wave radiation (Q*) drives the energy balance and is a fundamental starting point for estimating surface fluxes; therefore it is a required input for many boundary layer models. Routine measurements of Q* over cities are almost non-existent, indeed they are relatively rare even for non-urban surfaces. Consequently it is necessary to model or parameterize this forcing term. Canopy layer models exist but they require knowledge about surface radiative properties and surface temperature, and still require calculated or modeled input fluxes of solar and long-wave radiation. Given this, a simplified approach based on bulk surface parameters for generalized surface types may be attractive. This approach minimizes both information requirements for surface characteristics and meteorological fields. Here we consider the use of simple parameterization schemes for Q* and test them with long-term observations from urban areas with different surface characteristics. We also provide a test of the performance of this parameterization scheme versus more complex ones.