Edina Efficient Buildings Ordinance
What is Edina's Efficient Buildings Ordinance?
Edina benchmarking is required by the City’s Efficient Buildings Ordinance, adopted in 2019. Today it requires owners of existing buildings of 25,000 to 49,999 square feet to benchmark their energy and water use every year and report it to the City.
Reports are due every June 1. Lower-performing buildings must also complete an energy assessment every five years. Larger Edina buildings of 50,000 sq ft or more now report under Minnesota’s state program.
What buildings must comply in Edina?
- Commercial buildings of 25,000–49,999 sq ft
- Multifamily buildings of 25,000–49,999 sq ft
- City-owned buildings of 25,000 sq ft or more
Industrial properties and buildings owned by the county, state or federal government are not covered. Owners can request a one-year exemption for financial distress, occupancy below 50%, or no certificate of occupancy for all 12 months. Exemptions are reviewed case by case and must be renewed each year.
What is the penalty for non-compliance?
- Warning first: the City mails a warning notice and gives owners 45 business days to comply.
- Business licenses: if a building stays out of compliance, the City can deny, suspend or revoke applicable business licenses.
- Court action: the City can also seek an injunction or other court order.
- Public disclosure: results appear on the City’s Efficient Buildings Ordinance Map.
What is the compliance process?
Edina owners report through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. A typical filing looks like this:
- First, look up your building’s Unique Identifier with the City’s Building Look Up tool.
- Next, set up automatic uploads of whole-building data from Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy.
- Request water billing data from the City of Edina’s Utility Billing division.
- Then enter 12 full months of energy and water data for the previous calendar year and run the Data Quality Checker.
- Finally, submit your report through the City’s data request link by June 1.
If you need tenant data, tenants must respond within 30 days of your request.
What is the deadline for Edina benchmarking?
Edina benchmarking reports are due June 1 every year and cover the previous calendar year.
Next deadlineJune 1, 2027 for calendar-year 2026 data
The City publishes results each year on its public map, typically by August 30. Energy assessments for buildings of 25,000–49,999 sq ft repeat every five years; the next cycle is due in 2029.
Edina vs. Minnesota state benchmarking
Since Minnesota’s statewide program began, Edina’s ordinance focuses on mid-size buildings. Here is who reports where:
| Building size | Report to | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 25,000–49,999 sq ft | City of Edina | June 1 each year |
| 50,000+ sq ft | State of Minnesota (Dept. of Commerce) | June 1 each year |
Energy assessments: Edina requires buildings with savings potential to show proof of an energy assessment from the past five years, with recommendations for energy and water savings. Owners can request an exemption from the assessment if they qualify.
What utilities are required for benchmarking reporting?
- Water
- Electricity
- Natural Gas
- District Energy
- Any other purchased fuel
What is the purpose of Edina's ordinance?
Commercial and multifamily buildings are major energy users in Edina. Edina’s ordinance supports the City’s climate goals in two main ways:
Help owners save. Benchmarking and energy assessments show where a building wastes energy and water.
Make performance transparent. The public map helps tenants and buyers compare buildings. Efficient buildings can earn ENERGY STAR certification.
See our guides for Minnesota, Minneapolis and Saint Paul, or our full 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.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Edina benchmarking deadline?
June 1 every year. The next deadline is June 1, 2027 for 2026 data.
My building is 60,000 sq ft. Do I report to Edina?
No. Edina’s ordinance now covers 25,000–49,999 sq ft. Buildings of 50,000 sq ft or more report to the State of Minnesota.
Is water data required?
Yes. Edina requires both energy and water data. Water billing data is available from the City’s Utility Billing division.
What happens if I don’t comply?
After a warning and 45 business days, the City can deny, suspend or revoke applicable business licenses.
Can Energy Fave file my Edina report?
Yes. Energy Fave can set up automatic uploads, add water data and submit your Edina report on time, and coordinate your energy assessment.
Interested in benchmarking help?
Edina at a Glance
- Who's covered
- Buildings 25,000–49,999 sq ft
- Next deadline
- June 1, 2027The 2026 report was due June 1, 2026. Not filed yet? We can file it now →
- Enforcement
- Business license action
- Assessments
- Every 5 years
- Reporting tool
- ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager