Energy Code Compliance
Implementation of energy codes is generally carried out by state and local agencies that are responsible for code compliance, enforcement, and training. These activities ensure that new construction meets the required level of efficiency. Agencies in different cities pursue varying methods of implementation and different levels of enforcement activity.
This sub-category includes information on three topics related to local code implementation: Jurisdiction spending on building code compliance in comparison to residential construction spending; use of alternative code compliance strategies, such as third-party plan review or performance testing; and availability of upfront technical support to owners/developers on energy code compliance at the design and permitting stages.
Akron requires plan reviews and inspections to ensure compliance. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Albuquerque has full time employees who are solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city uses plan reviews and site inspections as a means to verify energy code compliance. The city does not offer free upfront support in the form of pre-submittal reviews and early plan review
Last updated: July 2021
Allentown requires plan reviews and site inspections to ensure compliance. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. The city does not provide uprfront support or assistance for energy code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Arlington County has internal staff dedicated solely to energy code compliance. This staff is trained through a mandatory educational program aimed at preparing them to enforce the energy code. A part of their responsibilities, staff provides upfront support to developers and owners for building energy code compliance. Arlington has not yet established a voluntary code compliance option.
Last Updated: May 2017
There is no single FTE dedicated to building energy code enforcement. The city has approximately 45 inspectors covering mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. These inspectors spend approximately 20% of their time on energy code enforcement, equaling 9 FTE. The city administers mandatory compliance verification through performance testing, plan review, field inspection, and third-party review/inspection.
To help builders comply with the energy code, the city provides code sections to correct items on the plans and during inspections. The Office of Buildings has also developed a simple handout for residential applicants to help them understand compliance.
Last updated: June 2021
Augusta requires plan reviews and site inspections. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Aurora requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify code compliance and provides free upfront support to developers. A project manager is assigned to work with applicants to provide the best end product possible. We could not find information on the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code.
Last updated: July 2021
While Austin doesn't have dedicated enforcement personnel, all Austin Energy Green Building projects require projects meet all aspects of code. AEGB rated approx. 40% of all commercial construction and 25% of residential construction last year. This results in very high training/understanding of code requirements throughout the local construction community and in general good compliance with energy codes.
Austin’s Residential Energy Code requires third-party testing of building air leakage rate, duct leakage, air flow, pressure differentials, and system static pressure. The city’s Commercial Energy Code requires lighting systems and control testing and the commissioning of HVAC equipment. Additionally, Austin requires that all Development Review Department residential inspectors are energy-code certified. The Austin Energy Green Building Program provides upfront support for code compliance through technical assistance for all developers and builders.
Last updated: August 2021
Bakersfield’s Building Division requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing to verify code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code nor. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Baltimore does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires third party plan reviews and site inspections to verify code compliance. The city does not provide upfront support on energy code compliance.
Last updated: June 2021
Baton Rouge requires plan review and site inspection to verify energy code compliance. They also require building thermal envelope and duct pressure testing. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
We could not find information about the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code nor about the city’s code compliance verification process. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Boise does not staff any full-time employees solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The city requires plan review, site inspections, and third-party verification and testing to ensure code compliance. Upon request, Boise assists developers with energy code compliance. The city also offers training and provides bonuses and encourages plan reviewers and inspectors to obtain ICC energy code certifications.
Last updated: July 2021
Boston employs 46 fulltime building inspectors within the Inspectional Services Department that have received training on the state stretch code, but it does not have staff solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. According to the Code, all new residential development and redevelopment are required to conduct a blower door test or adhere to the prescriptive method included in the code. Additionally, all new commercial developments and redevelopments are required to adhere to the latest ASHRAE 90.1 standards. Massachusetts’s Department of Energy Resources administers the Mass Save Program, which offers education and training on the state’s stretch-code, as well as in-person and online support.
Last updated: June 2021
Boulder reported a budget of $6,000,000 for the building code department in 2013. This level of spending normalizes to $46.67 per $1,000 of residential construction spending for the city. Boulder requires HERS ratings for new residential homes and a COMCheck for commercial buildings under 20,000 sq. ft. Third-party verification of energy efficiency requirements are also required for commercial buildings over 20,000 sq. ft. Boulder provides developers and project specialists with a pre-application conference with city planners as upfront code support.
Last Updated: October 2015
Bridgeport does not have any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city does not require plan reviews, site inspections, nor performance testing as a means of compliance verification. The city does not offer upfront support for energy code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Buffalo does not have any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify energy code compliance. We were unable to determine if the city requires performance testing to verify energy code compliance. The city does not offer upfront support for energy code compliance, but New York State offers training seminars, certification, and in-person training on the energy code.
Last updated: July 2021
Burlington reported a budget of $1,079,650 for the building code department in 2013. This level of spending normalizes to $998.43 per $1,000 of residential construction spending for the city. Burlington has not made third-party plan review or performance testing mandatory for code compliance, nor has it established either as a voluntary code compliance option. The Burlington Electric Department reviews all designs upfront.
Last Updated: October 2015
Cape Coral requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing to ensure code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Carrboro reported a budget of $274,000 for the building code department in 2013/2014. This level of spending normalizes to $17.62 per $1,000 of residential construction spending for the city. Carrboro has not made third-party plan review or performance testing mandatory for code compliance, nor has it established either as a voluntary code compliance option. Carrboro does not provide upfront support to developers or owners for energy code compliance.
Last Updated: April 2014
Charleston requires plan reviews and site inspections to ensure code compliance. The city also provides upfront support by answering questions on code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code.
Last updated: July 2021
The city does not staff any full-time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify energy code compliance. We were unable to determine whether the city requires performance testing. The city provides upfront support by reviewing plans and having a help hotline that can answer questions about code compliance.
Last updated: June 2021
Charlottesville reported a budget of approximately $700,000 for code enforcement in 2012. This level of spending normalizes to $10.78 per $1,000 of residential construction spending for the city. Charlottesville has not made third-party plan review or performance testing mandatory for code compliance, nor has it established either as a voluntary code compliance option. Charlottesville provides upfront support to building owners and developers for code compliance. City staff review building permits with an eye toward energy code compliance.
Last Updated: October 2015
Chicago does not have staff solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city previously ran the Registered Energy Professional program, but discontinued it in 2018. Currently, the city requires all permit applicants to have their plans reviewed by an Illinois-licensed architect or engineer and submit an energy compliance statement. For several types of work and methods of compliance, the energy conservation requirements include commissioning and post-construction testing to verify building performance. The city provides free technical supporting and training on the state and energy code through the University of Illinois’s Smart Energy Design Assistance Center.
Last updated: June 2021
The city hires contract staff that his solely focused on energy code compliance. The California Building Energy Efficiency Standards includes commissioning and performance testing requirements for all nonresidential buildings. The city offers free training and personal assistance on energy code compliance.
Last updated: June 2021
Cincinnati does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires plan review and site inspections to verify energy code compliance. We were unable to determine if the city requires performance testing. The city offers consultations prior to permit issuance through its Business Development and Permit Center.
Last updated: August 2021
Cleveland does not staff full time employees solely dedicated to building energy code compliance. The city does not require plan reviews, site inspections, and/or performance testing as a means of compliance verification; however, property owners that participate in the Cleveland Green Building Tax abatement program must have the properties verified. The city does not offer upfront support to developers or owners for energy code compliance.
Last updated: June 2021
The building code and associated Energy Conservation code is administered by Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, which employes over 100 people; however, we could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. Colorado Springs requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing to ensure code compliance. The city provides upfront support through regularly updated materials and walk-in consultation.
Last updated: July 2021
Columbia requires plan review to verify code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Columbus does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify code compliance. Columbus’s Building and Zoning Services staff meets with contractors, designers, and owners to review energy code compliance pathways on an as-requested basis.
Last updated: June 2021
The city has two full-time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. To ensure compliance, Dallas requires a third-party plan review and inspection from a registered energy provider, which can include performance testing. The city requires Residential/Commercial Green Providers to attend mandatory training on the city’s Green Building Code.
Last updated: June 2021
Dayton requires plan reviews and site inspections to ensure code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Denver staffs one full-time employees who is solely dedicated to code compliance. The city has 120 plan reviewers and inspectors that are required to review (plan or inspection) a part of the 2018 IECC. For residential projects, Denver requires blower door tests for single-family homes, duplexes, and multifamily residential properties. The city’s commercial energy code requires building commission. Denver provides upfront support through public forums and online guidance documents.
Last updated: June 2021
Des Moines requires plan reviews and site inspections to ensure code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Detroit does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires plan reviews, but not site inspections nor performance testing to verify energy code compliance. The city does not provide upfront support to developers and/or owners for energy code compliance.
Last updated: June 2021
Dubuque reported a budget of $21,832,969 for the building code department in 2012. This level of spending normalizes to $35.67 per $1,000 of residential construction spending for the city. Dubuque has not made third-party plan review or performance testing mandatory for code compliance, nor has it established either as a voluntary code compliance option. Dubuque provides two forms of upfront code support: The Universal Design & Green Home Checklist and the Conduct Your Own Universal Design & Green Home Survey.
Last Updated: October 2013
El Paso does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. El Paso does not require plan review, site inspection, or performance testing to verify code compliance. The city does not offer upfront support for building energy code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Fort Worth does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify code compliance. The city offers upfront support to building owners and/or developers pre-development and pre-construction conferences.
Last updated: June 2021
Fresno requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Grand Rapids does not have any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires plan reviews and site inspections, but not performance testing, as a means of compliance verification. The city offers upfront support for energy code compliance through the Building Inspections Department.
Last updated: June 2021
Greensboro requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing to ensure code compliance. Energy efficiency requirements are included in the permit application forms and an energy efficiency certificate that includes duct testing results also required .We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
The city does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. Verification of energy code compliance may occur through plan reviews. Hartford normally provides upfront support to owners and developers through walk-in consultations at the Licenses and Inspections Division, but during the pandemic it has offered much of its services and assistance remotely.
Last updated: June 2021
The city requires plan reviews and sit inspections to verify code compliance. The city does not incorporate performance testing into its compliance verification process. We could not find information on the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Honolulu does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The city requires third-party plan reviews and inspections of new developments, but does not require performance testing. The city has actively aimed to educate stakeholders about the building codes, for example in webinars with partners.
Last updated: July 2021
Houston does not have internal staff solely dedicated to energy code compliance. Houston requires third-party review and performance testing for building energy code compliance. The city’s Code Enforcement Department provides upfront code support for all builders and developers through the Green Building Resource Center. The program offers plan reviews, cost-effective green options, and energy efficiency classes. The City of Houston offers incentive pay to internal employees who obtain certifications in Residential, Building Code, MEP, and IECC.
Last updated: July 2021
Indianapolis does not staff full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city does not require plan reviews, site inspections, nor performance testing to verify code compliance. The city does not provide upfront support to building owners and/or developers on energy code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
We could not find information on the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. The city requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify energy code compliance. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Kansas City does not employ any full-time employees solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The city requires building code officials to complete energy code training. Kansas City requires a portion of new one- and two-family buildings to undergo third party building envelope and duct tightness. The city does not currently offer upfront support to developers or owners.
Last updated: June 2021
The city does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city verifies energy code compliance through plan reviews. The city offers upfront support through training on building certifications and energy code updates.
Last updated: June 2021
Lakeland requires plan reviews, site inspections and performance testing to verify energy code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Las Vegas incorporates mandatory energy compliance verification into the plan review and third-party review and inspections. The city provides upfront support in the form of one-on-one assistance.
Last updated: July 2021
Lawrence reported a budget of $401,687 for the building code department in 2014. We did not find residential construction spending. Lawrence has not made third-party plan review or performance testing mandatory for code compliance, nor has it established either as a voluntary code compliance option. As upfront code support, Lawrence has developed a commercial building permit design guideline which outlines the IECC 2012 in a comprehensible way.
Last Updated: October 2015
Little Rock requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Long Beach staffs two full-time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. Long Beach Development Services conducts plan checks and field inspections. The service also provides upfront energy code training.
Last updated: June 2021
Los Angeles does not have internal staff dedicated solely to energy code compliance. The city requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing to verify energy code compliance. The city provides upfront support to owners and developers through various training programs and provides preliminary plan check services that allow builders to meet with a plan check engineer to help them meet the Los Angeles municipal code requirements.
Last updated: June 2021
Louisville does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to building energy code compliance. The city verifies energy code compliance through plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing as required by the energy code. The city provides upfront support to building developers when requested, as well as through annual classes on the energy code.
Last updated: June 2021
Madison provides contractor training on code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code nor on the city’s code compliance verification process.
Last updated: July 2021
Commercial projects must submit Energy Compliance reports with permit applications. We could not find information on the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Memphis does not staff full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city verifies energy code compliance through plan reviews and site inspections. The city does not provide upfront support to developers and/or owners for energy code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
We could not find information on the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code nor on the city’s code information regarding upfront support for code compliance. The city verifies compliance through plan reviews, site visits and performance testing as required by the IECC.
Last updated: July 2021
Miami does not have any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city does not require plan reviews, site inspections, nor performance testing as a means of compliance verification. The city provides offer upfront support for energy code compliance by offerning an ePlan review service wherein builders can ask questions and receive feedback on permits and building plans while in development. The city also offers a help desk during office hours for people to come in and discuss their plans.
Last updated: June 2021
The Department of Neighborhood Services reviews projects for energy code compliance and inspects projects. We could not find information on the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Minneapolis does not staff full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires progress inspections to ensure energy-code compliance during development, plan reviews, and performance testing. The city provides upfront support to building owners and/or developers through on demand support and in-house meetings.
Last updated: June 2021
Montgomery County has staff solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The county requires plan reviews, inspections, and performance testing. The county also provides commercial building design consultation and assistance for developers seeking information on the energy code.
Last updated: December 2019
Nashville does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. However, the city has 40 full time employees who perform reviews and inspections and are trained on the 2018 IECC. The city requires plan review and performance testing to verify code compliance. Nashville also requires residential building developers use certified third parties to conduct blower door and duct blast tests. The codes department has partnered with a private company to provide training to developers, owners, tradespeople, contractors and designers.
Last updated: June 2021
We could not find information on the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. The city requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing to verify code compliance. We could not find information regarding upfront support for energy code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
New Orleans does not staff full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires third-party plan reviews and performance testing to verify code compliance. The City Planning Office provides in-house guidance and information regarding building code compliance.
Last updated: June 2021
New York City has no full time employees dedicated soley to energy code compliance. The city requires plan review, third-party site inspection, and performance testing to verify code compliance. New York City also provides upfront support on energy code compliance through training sessions and pre-permit consultations with plan reviewers.
Last updated: June 2021
We could not find information on the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. The city's code requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify compliance. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
The city does not have staff solely dedicated to energy code enforcement.. The city does require mandatory compliance verification through energy code. The city provides code compliance support through BayREN programs for single and multifamily units. Additionally, Oakland offers energy code compliance assistance at the Green Business Resource Center.
Last updated: June 2021
Oklahoma City does not staff any full time employees dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city has not made plan reviews, site inspections, not performance testing part of the compliance verification process. The city does not provide upfront support for energy code compliance to building developers and/or owners.
Last updated: July 2021
Omaha requires commercial developers to submit plan reviews. The city does not provide upfront support to developers and/or owners for energy code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code.
Last updated: July 2021
The city does not have any full time employees soley dedicated to energy code compliance. The city requires third-party plan review and performance testing for code compliance. The city provides opportunity to review plans prior to submission but only does so at a cost.
Last updated: June 2021
We could not find information on the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. The city requires plan reviews, site inspections and performance testing to verify code energy code compliance. The city provides plan check services and energineering office hours to help local builders comply with the energy code.
Last Updated: June 2021
Park City reported a budget of $1,200,000 for the building code department in 2014. This level of spending normalizes to $54.48 per $1,000 of residential construction spending for the city. Park City has not made third-party plan review or performance testing mandatory for code compliance, nor has it established either as a voluntary code compliance option. Park City holds upfront energy code trainings for architects and contractors.
Last Updated: October 2015
Philadelphia does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city uses plan reviews and site inspections to verify energy code compliance. The city has partnered with its local chapter of the US Green Building Council, Green Building United, to train local developers about changes in the 2018 energy code.
Last Updated: June 2021
Phoenix does not have internal staff solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The city performs plan reviews and inspections to ensure code compliance, but allows third-party review and inspections. Performance testing is required for residential properties per the 2018 International Residential Code. The city previously provided training workings to builders and developers as part of its participation in the 2018 IECC process.
Last Updated: June 2021
Pittsburgh does not staff full time employees solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The city requires building code officials to complete energy code training. Pittsburgh requires in-house plan reviews and inspections to ensure code compliance. The city also provides upfront support for energy code compliance.
Last Updated: June 2021
Portland does not have internal staff solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The city requires plan reviews, inspections, and performance testing for commercial properties. Residential building owners must complete an energy efficiency checklist and receive an inspection. Portland previously provided upfront support for code compliance, but private sector entity Earth Advantage now provides support.
Last Updated: June 2021
The city staffs 8 full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city uses plan reviews to ensure code compliance, but does not use site inspections nor performance testing. In 2019, the City completed a code compliance study which identified a compliance rate of 77% for commercial properties and 89% for residential. The study also provided recommendations for improvement, which the City is working towards implementing. For example, one of the recommendations was to hold a code enforcement training for inspectors. The city does not currently provide any upfront support.
Last Updated: June 2021
The city requires plan reviews, site inspections and performance testing to verify energy code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Raleigh does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires performance testing, plan reviews, and field inspections to verify code compliance. Raleigh offers upfront support via preliminary plan reviews prior to submission.
Last Updated: June 2021
Reno staffs three to five full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city does not require plan reviews, site inspections nor performance testing to verify code compliance. The city offers trainings on energy code compliance throug ReEnergize Reno.
Last Update: June 2021
Richmond does not staff full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city allows third-party plan reviews and performance testing as a voluntary method of demonstrating code compliance. The city provides upfront support by reviewing permits and applications upon request.
Last Updated: July 2021
Riverside does not have any staff solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The California Building Standards Code requires third-party verification of building commissioning and plan reviews. The city does not provide upfront support for energy code compliance. Building & Safety Division staff receive annual code training which includes energy code compliance to ensure plan review and inspections validate energy code compliance as required by the adopted standards.
Last Updated: July 2021
Rochester does not staff full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city uses plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing to verify energy code compliance. The city does not provide upfront support for energy code compliance, but the city released a Guide to Sustainable Practices for Building Owners and Occupants.
Last Update: July 2021
Sacramento does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city uses plan reviews to verify energy code compliance. The city also provides upfront support for energy code compliance by helping developers and/or owners prepare plans prior to submittal.
Last Updated: June 2021
St. Paul does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The state’s building and energy codes require plan reviews and performance testing on projects exceeding $500. The city provides upfront support for energy code compliance. The city offers suggestions to work through the codes to find the path they feel is best for their project. After that discussion, city staff work with the project’s mechanical engineer on the mechanical portion of the energy code path.
Last Update: June 2021
While Salt Lake City has 14 inspectors dedicated to enforcing the latest code, it does not have any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires plan reviews and site inspections as a means of compliance verification. The city does not offer upfront support for energy code compliance.
Last Updated: June 2021
San Antonio does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing mandatory to verify code compliance. The city provides upfront support to owners/developers who aim to achieve building energy code goals.
Last Updated: June 2021
San Diego does not have internal staff solely dedicated to energy code compliance. State code CalGreen 5.410.1 requires commissioning of all new nonresidential buildings greater than 10,000 square feet, and the third-party commissioning includes functional performance testing, plan review, field inspection. City staff are responsible for plan review. The city provides upfront support in the form of the preliminary review service.
Last Updated: June 2021
San Francisco staffs 11 full time employees solely dedicated to energy, mechanical, and green building code compliance. The city requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing to verify code compliance. This includes plan review of all energy code compliance documentation specified by CA Energy Commission. San Francisco offers upfront support through pre-application technical reviews. The city also invites developers and/or owners to contact the DBI Energy/Green Building/Mechanical Services office.
Last Updated: June 2021
San Jose has 19 FTE plan check engineers that enforce building code compliance as well as energy code compliance. The city enforces Title 24 code compliance through mandatory plan reviews and inspection and requires third-party verification. San Jose provides workshops on the building codes including the energy efficiency requirements.
Last Updated: June 2021
The city requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: March 2020
Seattle staffs five full time employees solely dedicated to energy code compliance. Seattle requires plan reviews, air barrier testing, mandatory commissioning, and site inspection to meet compliance standards. The city offers training and education on both general code compliance training and offers customized events for individual stakeholder groups. The city also provides upfront support on lighting aspects of the energy code through the Lighting Design Lab.
Last Updated: June 2021
Springfield requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance from the city. Massachusetts’s Department of Energy Resources administers the Mass Save Program, which offers education and training on the state’s stretch-code, as well as in-person and online support.
Last updated: August 2021
St. Louis has 160 full time employees but none are dedicated to one specific code such as the energy code. The city uses plan reviews to verify compliance with building and energy codes. The city partners with US Green Buildings Council to provide training on the building energy code.
Last Updated: June 2021
St. Petersburg requires plan reviews for residential and commercial projects. We could not find information on the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last Update: June 2021
We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. Stockton requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify energy code compliance. While the state energy code requires performance testing, we were unable able to find data about how the city enforces and verifies buildings are meeting these requirements. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: June 2021
We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. The city requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify energy code compliance. We could not determine whether the city requires performance testing to verify energy code compliance. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last Update: July 2021
Tampa does not have any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city does not require plan reviews, site inspections, nor performance testing as a means of compliance verification. Tampa offers upfront support for energy code compliance through energy code workshops.
Last Updated: July 2021
Toledo requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify code compliance.We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Tucson does not staff any full-time employees solely dedicated to energy code compliance. Tucson requires plan reviews, third-party site inspection and performance testing to verify code compliance. The city also provides upfront support to owners and developers by walking-thru plan review questions and offering public code education.
Last Update: July 2021
Tulsa requires permit reviews to ensure code compliance for residential and commercial new construction. We could not find information on the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last Update: July 2021
Virginia Beach does not staff any full employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing to verify compliance. The city offers upfront support through training sessions on energy code compliance.
Last Updated: July 2021
The District’s Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) is responsible for regulating construction in the District, including enforcing the District’s Green Building Act, Green Construction Code, and Energy Conservation Code. DCRA requires plan reviews and inspections for projects, conducted by an interdisciplinary team of reviewers and inspectors. The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) Green and Energy plan reviewers and inspectors include: 7 FTE, 2 partially funded FTE and 4 full-time contract plan reviewers. The Energy and Green Inspectors have been integrated into the DCRA Inspection Division increasing the number of eyes on all projects. Commercial buildings have been fully inspected for the last several years and the integration of energy inspectors enabled DCRA to inspect most one- and two-family homes for air tightness, insulation, and proper mechanical and water heating equipment. DCRA also allows third-party energy review and inspection with a clear QA/QC process to ensure quality control.
Oversight was increased in FY 2020 and FY2021 with the addition of a 3rd party review team within Inspections. The project size determines if performance testing and commissioning is required to meet compliance. With the adoption of the 2017 District of Columbia Building Construction Codes and specifically the District of Columbia Existing Building Code 2017, all permitted work, regardless of size, are required to meet the District of Columbia Energy Conservation Code standards for all alterations and repairs. The new Energy Conservation Code also expanded the amount of air infiltration testing for both commercial and residential projects. The District offers upfront support to projects and developers, including on code compliance, solar, and NZE construction, through webinars, online resources, and a Green Building Professional Seminar Series hosted in partnership with the Department of Energy & Environment.
During FY2020 and FY2021, all energy and green related trainings have been taped and provided on DCRA’s website for on-demand training. Additionally, an Energy and Green Worksheet has been created to guide designers through the plan development process. As with other trainings, on-demand video training is provided for the new worksheets.
Last Updated: August 2021
The city has not adopted an energy code and therefore has not nforcement policies.
Last updated: June 2021
Winston-Salem does not have any full time staff solely dedicated to building energy code enforcement. The city requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify code compliance. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: June 2021
Worcester does not have any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city does not require plan reviews, site inspections, nor performance testing as a means of compliance verification. The city does not offer upfront support for energy code compliance. Massachusetts’s Department of Energy Resources administers the Mass Save Program, which offers education and training on the state’s stretch-code, as well as in-person and online support.
Last Updated: August 2021