Austin Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) Ordinance
What is Austin's ECAD Ordinance?
Austin’s Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) Ordinance requires owners of commercial buildings of 10,000 square feet or more, served by Austin Energy, to benchmark their energy use and report an energy rating to the City every year.
ECAD also covers homes and apartments:
- Multifamily properties (5+ units): an energy audit in the year the property turns 10, with results shared with residents. High-energy-use properties must cut energy use by 20%.
- Homes for sale: sellers of homes, duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes 10 years or older must complete an energy audit and share it with buyers.
What buildings must comply with Austin ECAD?
- Commercial buildings of 10,000 sq ft or more of conditioned space, within Austin city limits and served by Austin Energy: annual energy rating
- Multifamily properties with 5 or more units: energy audit once the property turns 10, disclosed to current and prospective residents
- Single-family homes to fourplexes 10 years or older: energy audit before sale
Buildings used primarily for manufacturing may qualify for an exemption from commercial reporting.
What is the penalty for non-compliance?
The City can fine owners who fail to comply with any part of ECAD:
- Commercial, multifamily or residential non-compliance: fines from $500 to $2,000.
- High-energy-use multifamily properties: must reduce energy use by 20% and provide a High Energy Use report to residents.
What is the compliance process?
Austin offers two ways to report commercial ratings. A typical filing looks like this:
- First, confirm your building is covered and find its Austin Energy account and ECAD details.
- Next, choose a reporting method: Key Code Reporting, where you confirm the rating Austin Energy calculates, or Portfolio Manager Reporting through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
- Then review 12 months of whole-building energy data for the previous calendar year.
- Finally, submit your energy rating to the City by June 1.
What is the deadline for Austin ECAD reporting?
Commercial buildings must report their energy rating by June 1 every year.
Next deadlineJune 1, 2027 for calendar-year 2026 data
Multifamily audits are due in the calendar year a property turns 10, and home-sale audits are due before the sale closes.
Austin ECAD requirements by property type
ECAD has different rules for each property type:
| Property type | Requirement | When |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial10,000+ sq ft | Report an annual energy rating | June 1 each year |
| Multifamily5+ units | Energy audit, disclosed to residents | The year the property turns 10 |
| Homes for sale1–4 units | Energy audit, disclosed to buyers | Before the sale (10+ years old) |
What utilities are required for benchmarking reporting?
- Electricity
- Natural Gas
- District Energy
- Any other purchased fuel
What is the purpose of Austin ECAD?
ECAD is part of Austin’s climate plan, and it serves two main goals:
Cut energy use and emissions. Ratings and audits show owners where they waste energy, and high-use apartment properties must improve.
Help people make informed choices. Tenants and home buyers see energy information before they sign, which rewards efficient buildings. Many commercial owners then go further and pursue ENERGY STAR certification.
To see how other cities handle benchmarking, visit our energy benchmarking compliance guide.
This program includes an energy audit, assessment or tune-up requirement. Compare it with other cities in our energy audit compliance guide.
Austin ECAD FAQs
Do I have to use Portfolio Manager for Austin ECAD?
No. Commercial owners can confirm the rating Austin Energy calculates (Key Code Reporting) or report through Portfolio Manager.
Which buildings need to report every year?
Commercial buildings of 10,000 sq ft or more of conditioned space in Austin city limits that are served by Austin Energy.
What are the ECAD fines?
Fines for non-compliance range from $500 to $2,000.
What is a High Energy Use Property?
A multifamily property that uses 150% or more of the average for similar properties. It must cut energy use by 20% and share a High Energy Use report with residents.
Can Energy Fave handle my Austin ECAD reporting?
Yes. Energy Fave can submit your commercial rating through Portfolio Manager and coordinate required audits.
Interested in benchmarking help?
Austin ECAD at a Glance
- Who's covered
- Commercial 10,000+ sq ft (Austin Energy)
- Next deadline
- June 1, 2027The 2026 report was due June 1, 2026. Not filed yet? We can file it now →
- Penalty
- $500–$2,000
- Multifamily
- Audit when the property turns 10
- Reporting
- Key Code or Portfolio Manager