Detroit Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance
What is Detroit's Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance?
Detroit’s Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance, adopted unanimously by City Council in November 2023, requires owners of commercial and multifamily buildings over 25,000 square feet to benchmark their energy and water use every year and share it with the City.
The largest buildings first reported in October 2024, and all covered buildings now report every June 1. The City publishes each building’s compliance status, size and age on its transparency map.
What buildings must comply with the Detroit ordinance?
- Commercial buildings over 25,000 sq ft in the City of Detroit
- Multifamily and condominium buildings over 25,000 sq ft
- Municipal buildings owned by the City
- Historic buildings are covered too
You may qualify for a whole-building exemption if the building is vacant, slated for demolition or under 25,000 sq ft. A data exemption is available if the building had water or energy shutoffs during the year. Use the City’s Detroit Building ID lookup tool to confirm whether your building is covered.
What is the penalty for non-compliance?
- Missed reporting deadline: the City treats non-compliance as a blight violation and can issue a blight violation notice and fine (Sec. 8-15-582).
- Public status: non-compliant buildings show up on the City’s transparency map.
- No performance penalty: there is no fine for failing to reduce energy or water use.
What is the compliance process?
Detroit owners report through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. A typical filing looks like this:
- First, find your Detroit Building ID with the City’s lookup tool and add it to your property in Portfolio Manager.
- Next, connect electric and gas data through the DTE Data Hub, request water data from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, and request steam data from Detroit Thermal if you use it.
- Then run Portfolio Manager’s Data Quality Checker.
- In verification years, have a certified professional (such as a Michigan-licensed PE or registered architect) attest to your data.
- Finally, add “Detroit Benchmarking Reporting” as a contact and share your property with the City by June 1. The City emails a confirmation once your data is received.
What is the deadline for Detroit benchmarking?
Detroit benchmarking reports are due June 1 every year and cover the previous calendar year. For the 2026 season, 2025 data was due June 1, 2026.
Next deadlineJune 1, 2027 for calendar-year 2026 data
Data must be verified by a certified professional before your first deadline and every third deadline after that. Buildings over 100,000 sq ft that first reported in 2024 are due for verification again in 2027.
Detroit benchmarking phase-in
The ordinance phased in by building size:
| Building size | First report | Data year | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 100,000 sq ft | October 1, 2024 | 2023 | 2024, then 2027 |
| 25,000–100,000 sq ft | June 1, 2025 | 2024 | 2025, then 2028 |
| All covered buildings | Every June 1 | Previous year | Every third deadline |
What utilities are required for benchmarking reporting?
- Water
- Electricity
- Natural Gas
- Steam (Detroit Thermal)
- Any other purchased fuel
What is the purpose of Detroit's benchmarking ordinance?
The ordinance was developed over four years by City Council’s Green Task Force. It serves two main goals:
Cut energy waste and emissions. Tracking energy and water year over year shows owners where to save and lowers operating costs.
Open the door to funding. Benchmarking is a precondition for most energy efficiency projects, awards and grants. Many owners also pursue ENERGY STAR certification.
See our energy benchmarking compliance guide for every city and state.
See our guides for Ann Arbor, Columbus and Chicago, or our full energy benchmarking compliance guide.
Need a verifier? Our Professional Engineers and Certified Energy Managers provide third-party verification services.
Detroit benchmarking FAQs
Do condos and apartment buildings have to comply in Detroit?
Yes. Multifamily and condominium buildings over 25,000 sq ft must report their energy and water use.
Is there a fine for not reporting?
Yes. The City treats non-compliance as a blight violation and can issue a blight violation notice and fine. There is no fine for failing to reduce energy use.
How do I get my DTE data into Portfolio Manager?
Enroll in the DTE Data Hub, which can upload your electric and gas usage to Portfolio Manager automatically.
When do I need third-party verification?
Before your first deadline and every third deadline after that, by a certified professional such as a Michigan-licensed PE or registered architect.
Can Energy Fave file my Detroit report?
Yes. Energy Fave can connect your DTE data, request water and steam data, arrange verification and submit your report.
Interested in benchmarking help?
Detroit at a Glance
- Who's covered
- Commercial & multifamily 25,000+ sq ft
- Next deadline
- June 1, 2027The 2026 report was due June 1, 2026. Not filed yet? We can file it now →
- Penalty
- Blight violation notice and fine
- Verification
- Every third deadline
- Reporting tool
- Portfolio Manager + Detroit Building ID