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.
Albuquerque has full time employees who are solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city uses site inspections as a means to verify energy code compliance. The city does offer upfront assistance for building owners and developers.
Last updated: March 2019
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
Atlanta requires third-party plan review 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. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: June 2019
Aurora 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 2019
Austin does not have internal staff dedicated solely to energy code compliance. 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: March 2019
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: March 2019
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 provides upfront support on energy code compliance on an as-requested basis.
Last updated: March 2019
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: March 2019
Boston employs 25 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: March 2019
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: March 2019
Buffalo does not have any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city does not require plan reviews, site inspections, or performance testing as a means of compliance verification. 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: March 2019
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
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
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. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: March 2019
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. 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: March 2019
The city does not have any staff solely dedicated to building energy code enforcement. 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: March 2019
Cincinnati does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city has not made plan reviews, site inspections, nor performance testing mandatory to verify energy code compliance. The city offers consultations prior to permit issuance through its Business Development and Permit Center.
Last updated: March 2019
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: March 2019
Columbus does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing 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: March 2019
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. The city requires Residential/Commercial Green Providers to attend mandatory training on the city’s Green Building Code.
Last updated: March 2019
Denver does not have staff solely dedicated to energy code compliance. 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: March 2019
Detroit does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city does not require plan reviews, 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: March 2019
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: March 2019
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: March 2019
Grand Rapids 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, however the city does have a Code Compliance office.
Last updated: March 2019
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, site inspections, and/or performance testing. Hartford provides upfront support to owners and developers through walk-in consultations at the Licenses and Inspections Division.
Last updated: May 2019
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. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: March 2019
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 does not offer upfront support to developers or buildings owners regarding energy code compliance.
Last updated: March 2019
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.
Last updated: March 2019
Indianapolis staffs an unspecified number of 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: March 2019
Florida’s building energy code requires 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 2019
Kansas City has two 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 offers upfront support to developers and owners through trainings about energy code compliance.
Last updated: March 2019
Knoxville reported a budget of $2,468,000 for the building code department in 2013.We did not find information for the city's total spending on enforcement. Knoxville 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, Knoxville provides contractor training on building certifications and energy code updates.
Last Updated: October 2015
The city does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city has not made plan reviews, site inspections, nor performance testing mandatory for energy code compliance. The city offers upfront support through pre-submittal conferences.
Last updated: March 2019
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: March 2019
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
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: March 2019
Los Angeles does not have internal staff dedicated solely to energy code compliance. Los Angeles made third-party plan review or performance testing mandatory for code compliance. The city provides upfront support to owners and developers through various training programs.
Last updated: March 2019
Louisville does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to building energy code compliance. The city verifies energy code compliance through plan reviews and site inspections. The city provides upfront support to building developers when requested.
Last updated: March 2019
Madison reported a budget of $4,066,479 for the building code department in 2012. This level of spending normalizes to $24.95 per $1,000 of residential construction spending for the city. Madison 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. Madison offers contractor training with continuing education credits as upfront code support.
Last Updated: October 2013
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: March 2019
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: March 2019
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. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: March 2019
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 does not offer upfront support for energy code compliance.
Last updated: March 2019
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. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: March 2019
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 in-house meetings.
Last updated: May 2019
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. 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 city does not provide upfront support to developers and/or owners.
Last updated: March 2019
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. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: March 2019
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: March 2019
New York City staffs an unspecified number of full time employees that are solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. 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: March 2019
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. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: March 2019
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: March 2019
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: March 2019
Omaha requires commercial developers to submit plan reviews. Nebraska offers occasional workshops on 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: March 2019
Orlando does not have staff solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The city requires third-party plan review and performance testing for code compliance. The city does not provide upfront support for energy code compliance.
Last updated: March 2019
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 does not provide upfront support to developers and/or building owners.
Last Updated: March 2019
The City of Phoenix 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: March 2019
Pittsburgh staffs an unspecified number of full time employees solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The city also 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: March 2019
Portland does not have internal staff solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The city requires plan reviews and performance testing for commercial properties. Residential building owners must complete an energy efficiency checklist. Portland previously provided upfront support for code compliance, but private sector entity Earth Advantage now provides support.
Last Updated: March 2019
The city does not staff any 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.
Last Updated: March 2019
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: March 2019
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, and the city does not provide upfront support to building owners and/or developers for code compliance.
Last Update: March 2019
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: March 2019
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.
Last Updated: March 2019
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: March 2019
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: March 2019
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 does not provide upfront support for energy code compliance.
Last Update: March 2019
Salt Lake City 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: March 2019
San Antonio does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city has not made plan reviews, site inspections, nor 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: March 2019
San Diego has an unspecified number of 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 city staff are responsible for plan review. The city provides upfront support in the form of the preliminary review service.
Last Updated: March 2019
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. HERS testing, lighting controls acceptance testing, HVAC functional testing, and commissioning requirements are required under Title 24 of the California Energy Code. 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: March 2019
San Jose does not have staff solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The city enforces Title 24 code compliance through mandatory plan reviews and inspection and requires third-party verification. The city does not provide upfront support for building owners or developers.
Last Updated: March 2019
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 provides upfront support on lighting aspects of the energy code through the Lighting Design Lab.
Last Updated: March 2019
St. Louis does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city uses plan reviews to verify compliance with building and energy codes. The city does not provide upfront support for energy code compliance.
Last Updated: March 2019
St. Petersburg requires plan reviews for residential and commercial projects. Developers must perform blower door tests on residential 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: March 2019
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: March 2019
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: May 2019
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. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last Update: March 2019
Virginia Beach does not staff any full employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city does not require plan reviews, site inspections, nor performance testing to verify compliance. The city offers upfront support through training sessions on energy code compliance.
Last Updated: March 2019
The District’s Green Building Division staffs fifteen full time employees dedicated to green and energy code compliance and enforcement. The Green Building Division regularly reviews plans and identifies compliance issues that may require additional on-site inspection. Additionally, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) requires plans reviews and inspections for developments. The DCRA allows third-party energy review and inspection and developed regulations for projects wishing to pursue this path. The project size determines if performance testing and commissioning is required to meet compliance. The District offers upfront support through the Green Building Professional Seminar Series.The Green Building Division also offers technical support to developers. A website has been set up as well as a help center for training for compliance.
Last Updated: May 2019
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.
Last Updated: March 2019