Des Moines, IA · Overview
Des Moines Building Energy Benchmarking
Des Moines, Iowa requires annual energy benchmarking for buildings over 25,000 sq ft, filed via an ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager data request, due July 1 (Sec. 26-904(b)) — though the city's page says it is not currently assessing penalties for non-compliance.
Verified against primary sources
Filing deadline
Jul 1
Annually, for the prior calendar year
- City fee
- No city fee on file.
- Files via
- ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager — you respond to the jurisdiction’s data request.
Filing facts
What the registry knows
- Who’s covered
- Buildings larger than 25,000 sq ft.
- Deadline
- Jul 1, annually
July 1 is the confirmed statutory deadline (Sec. 26-904(b), Ordinance No. 15,983) — an earlier June 1 figure that circulated in secondary sources was incorrect. The city is not currently assessing penalties for missed filings (see below).
- Files via
- ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager — you respond to the jurisdiction’s data request.
- City fee
- No city fee on file.
- If you miss it
- Ordinance provides administrative penalties per adopted schedule (Sec. 26-908), but the city's official program page states that as of 2023 the City of Des Moines will not be assessing any penalties and describes participation as voluntary/requested.
How to comply
Step by step
Confirm the building is 25,000 sq ft or larger within Des Moines city limits.
Benchmark the building in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager with a "Des Moines" Standard ID and enter 12 months of whole-building energy data.
Respond to the city's ESPM data request before July 1 each year.
FAQ
Common questions
Is the Des Moines deadline June 1 or July 1?
It is July 1, per Sec. 26-904(b) of the Municipal Code (Ordinance No. 15,983): "Subsequent benchmarking reports for each covered property shall be due by July 1 of each year thereafter."
What penalty applies for a late or missing Des Moines filing?
None currently — the city's official program page states that, as of 2023, Des Moines is not assessing any penalties, despite the ordinance's on-the-books administrative penalty schedule (Sec. 26-908).
Want Des Moines Building Energy Benchmarking handled for you?
Run the compliance checker to confirm this program actually applies to your building, then join our early-access waitlist — we’re onboarding buildings city by city and will email you the moment we’re filing in your jurisdiction.
Check your building