Chicago Energy Benchmarking Ordinance
City of Chicago Ordinance SO2017-7060
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 18-14: Energy Benchmarking and Performance Rating System
Passed: October 11, 2017
Sponsor: Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Committee Assignment: Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards
Effective Date: 180 days after passage and publication
🔹 Purpose
To improve energy efficiency transparency and accountability in large buildings by:
Requiring annual energy and water benchmarking.
Implementing a standardized energy performance rating system.
Mandating public disclosure and tenant notification.
🔹 Key Definitions
Benchmarking: Tracking and inputting 12 months of energy, water, and building data into a benchmarking tool (e.g., ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager).
Energy Performance Score: A 1–100 score comparing a building’s energy use to similar buildings.
Energy Use Intensity (EUI): Energy consumption per square foot.
Covered Buildings:
Group 1: ≥250,000 sq ft.
Group 2: 50,000–249,999 sq ft.
🔹 Tenant Data Requirements (Sec. 18-14-101.4)
Owners must request tenant energy data by March 1 of each benchmarking year.
Tenants must respond within 30 days.
Owners must benchmark using all available data, even if tenants do not comply.
Tenant non-compliance does not exempt owners but may create a rebuttable presumption of delay.
Owners are considered compliant if they:
Prove they requested the data.
Benchmark using all other available information.
🔹 Benchmarking Requirements (Sec. 18-14-102.1)
Annual benchmarking is mandatory for covered buildings.
Data must be retained for 3 years.
Exemptions may be granted for:
Financial distress (e.g., tax lien, receivership, foreclosure).
<50% occupancy during the year.
New construction (CO issued that year).
Ownership change during the year.
🔹 Energy Performance Rating System (Sec. 18-14-102.3)
Star Ratings (Effective 2019):
★★★★ (4 Stars): Score 81–100, or 61–80 with 10-point improvement over 2 years.
★★★ (3 Stars): Score 61–80, or 41–60 with 10-point improvement.
★★ (2 Stars): Score 41–60, or 11–40 with 10-point improvement.
★ (1 Star): Score below 40.
0 Stars: Failure to submit benchmarking data.
½ Star: May be added for near-threshold performance.
No Rating Assigned If:
Building is exempt from benchmarking.
Technical limitations prevent scoring.
Infrastructure prevents energy improvements.
🔹 Disclosure & Posting Requirements
Energy Rating Cards must be visibly posted in the building.
Disclosure Required in:
Lease/sale agreements.
Advertisements (unless exempt).
Tenants/buyers must acknowledge receipt of energy rating or score.
🔹 Water Usage Data
The Water Management Commissioner may share water usage data unless owners opt out.
Public disclosure of water data is optional for owners.
🔹 Public Disclosure Rules
Benchmarking data and ratings will be made public, with exceptions:
First-year data.
Buildings with >10% data center, TV studio, or trading floor space.
Six-month delay for initial ratings.
For full ordinance requirements and information see:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/progs/env/building-energy-benchmarking---transparency.html
