NR-5 Residential Energy Performance Assessment and Disclosure Ordinance

Not sooner than 2017, the City shall consider adopting a Residential Energy Performance Assessment and Disclosure (EPAD-R) Ordinance for detached single-family homes and multi-family homes.  The EPAD-R Ordinance may include the following:

  • energy performance disclosures at certain points or thresholds
  • use of a free online tool such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Home Energy Yardstick for self-assessment, which takes into account the size of the home and number of occupants
  • alternatively, use of a low-cost assessment tool such as the Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score
  • flexible exemption provisions including:           
    • the age of the building,
    • foreclosures or short sales,
    • recent energy efficiency upgrades,
    • an owner providing 12 consecutive monthly utility bills from the previous two years
Responsible Department(s):
Public Works – Utilities and Environmental Services
Supporting Department(s)/Partner(s):
Development Services
Program Type(s):
Regulation and Development Review (RDR)
Implements These Policy(ies):
Funding Source(s):
General Fund
Timeframe:
2017-2019, 2020-2040

Program Status:
Not Started
In Progress
Complete

On September 12, 2016, staff presented a report to the Council Sustainability Committee regarding a potential ordinance that would require energy audits of existing buildings and would require disclosure of energy performance. The Committee directed staff to focus efforts on providing customers with information that would encourage them to voluntarily make energy efficiency updates to existing homes and commercial buildings.