Detroit, MI · Overview
Detroit Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance
Detroit requires annual energy benchmarking for buildings 25,000 sq ft and larger, phased in during 2024-2025, filed via an ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager data request, due June 1 each year.
Verified against primary sources
Filing deadline
Jun 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 25,000 sq ft or larger. Phased in 2024-2025.
- Deadline
- Jun 1, annually
June 1 is the confirmed annual benchmarking deadline.
- 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
- Non-compliance with the reporting deadline is deemed a blight violation (Detroit City Code Sec. 8-15-582(b)) and the city issues a blight violation notice; specific fine amounts are not published on the city's program pages. There is no penalty for failing to reduce consumption.
How to comply
Step by step
Confirm the building is 25,000 sq ft or larger within Detroit city limits and check whether it falls within the 2024-2025 phase-in window.
Benchmark the building in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager with a "Detroit" Standard ID and enter 12 months of whole-building energy data.
Respond to the city's ESPM data request before the June 1 deadline each year.
FAQ
Common questions
Is Detroit's program fully phased in yet?
The source research describes it as phased in during 2024-2025, so a building's exact obligation year may depend on when its phase-in cohort was assigned — check with the city for a specific building.
Is a building at exactly 25,000 sq ft covered in Detroit?
The city’s own materials are inconsistent here — a news release describes coverage as buildings "over 25,000" sq ft, while the program page says "25,000 SF or larger." If your building is at exactly 25,000 sq ft, confirm directly with the city’s Office of Sustainability before assuming either way.
Want Detroit Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance 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