New Orleans Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance
What is New Orleans's benchmarking ordinance?
New Orleans benchmarking is required by the Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance (Ordinance No. 35,154), passed by City Council on July 10, 2025. It requires owners of properties with 20,000 square feet or more of building area to benchmark their energy use every year and report it to the City.
Large properties of 50,000 sq ft or more started in 2026, and properties of 20,000 sq ft or more join in 2027. Reports are due every May 31.
What buildings must comply in New Orleans?
- Commercial properties with 20,000 sq ft or more of combined building area
- Multifamily properties with 20,000 sq ft or more
- City-owned buildings, which the City already reports on through its public dashboard
The City published its first Covered Property List in November 2025. Owners should search the list, confirm their property and submit a “Claim My Property” form with their contact details. Exemption and extension forms are available in the City’s benchmarking knowledgebase.
What is the penalty for non-compliance?
- Fines: non-compliant properties can be fined $1,000 to $3,000.
- First-year grace: penalties are waived in the first year a property is required to comply.
- Public disclosure: the City publishes energy metrics such as EUI and ENERGY STAR score for covered properties.
What is the compliance process?
New Orleans owners report through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. A typical filing looks like this:
- First, find your property on the Covered Property List and submit the Claim My Property form.
- Next, request whole-building energy data from Entergy New Orleans through its Whole Building Data Tool.
- Then enter 12 full months of energy data for the previous calendar year and run the Data Quality Checker.
- If you need more time or qualify for an exemption, submit the form in the City’s knowledgebase before the deadline.
- Finally, submit your report to the City by May 31.
What is the deadline for New Orleans benchmarking?
New Orleans benchmarking reports are due May 31 every year and cover the previous calendar year.
Next deadlineMay 31, 2027 for calendar-year 2026 data
2027 is the first year for properties of 20,000–49,999 sq ft, and the first year fines can apply to properties of 50,000 sq ft or more.
New Orleans benchmarking phase-in
The ordinance phases in by property size, with a one-year penalty waiver for each group:
| Building size | First report due | Data year | Fines can start |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50,000+ sq ft | May 31, 2026 | 2025 | 2027 |
| 20,000–49,999 sq ft | May 31, 2027 | 2026 | 2028 |
Get ready early: Owners of 20,000–49,999 sq ft properties should start collecting 2026 utility data now. Entergy’s Whole Building Data Tool makes it easier to get data for buildings with tenant meters.
What utilities are required for benchmarking reporting?
- Electricity
- Natural Gas
- District Chilled Water
- District Steam
- Any other purchased fuel
Water reporting is not required under the New Orleans ordinance.
What is the purpose of New Orleans's ordinance?
Large buildings are a major source of energy use and emissions in New Orleans, and high summer cooling loads drive up utility bills. The ordinance supports the City’s Climate Action Strategy in two main ways:
Lower energy costs. Benchmarking shows owners how their building compares and where savings are possible.
Make performance transparent. Public data helps tenants and buyers compare buildings. Efficient buildings can earn ENERGY STAR certification.
See our guides for Atlanta, Orlando and Austin, or our full energy benchmarking compliance guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the New Orleans benchmarking deadline?
May 31 every year. The next deadline is May 31, 2027 for 2026 data.
Is my 30,000 sq ft building covered?
Yes. Properties with 20,000 sq ft or more of building area must report, starting with the May 31, 2027 deadline.
How much are the fines?
$1,000 to $3,000. Penalties are waived in the first year a property must comply.
How do I get whole-building data?
Use Entergy New Orleans’s Whole Building Data Tool, which the City Council required the utility to create in 2018.
Can Energy Fave file my New Orleans report?
Yes. Energy Fave can claim your property, request Entergy data, set up Portfolio Manager and submit your report on time.
Interested in benchmarking help?
New Orleans at a Glance
- Who's covered
- Properties 20,000+ sq ft
- Next deadline
- May 31, 2027The 2026 report was due May 31, 2026. Not filed yet? We can file it now →
- Late penalty
- $1,000–$3,000
- First year
- Penalties waived
- Reporting tool
- ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager