Policy Brief: Minneapolis

Minneapolis's benchmarking ordinace has its origins in the 2006 Thinc.Green Collaborative, an inititiave from the mayors' offices of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The collaborative convened industry, non-profit, and government representatives to develop recommendations for sustainable economic development. A policy addressing existing building energy policy was one of many recommendations. 

Minneapolis Councilmember Elizabeth Glidden authored the Commercial Building Rating and Disclosure Ordinance, which was enacted on January 28, 2013. The ordinance requires building owners to benchmark commercial buildings greater than 50,000 SF by May 1 annually using EPA ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and to submit a compliance report to the City of Minneapolis. The requirement applies to any building that has more than 50,000 SF of commercial space. The initial compliance schedule is as follows:

  • May 1, 2014: Buildings 100,000 SF and greater
  • May 1, 2015: Buildings 50,000 SF to 99,999 SF

Beginning with the second annual benchmarking report for each building, the City of Minneapolis will make the data accessible to the public.

Benchmarking is not required for:

  • Industrial and residential buildings – when either of these uses accounts for more than 50 percent of a building’s gross square footage
  • New buildings – buildings that were issued a certificate of occupancy less than two years before the current reporting deadline
  • Unoccupied buildings – buildings, or the commercial areas of mixed use buildings, that were less than 50 percent occupied during the year for which reporting is due
  • Financial hardship – buildings that are in verifiable financial distress, such as subject to tax lien sales, or currently owned by financial institutions due to borrower default

 

 

Document Library:

See all of our Minneapolis-related documents here

 

Resources:

Commercial Building Rating and Disclosure Ordinance (2013)

Minneapolis Environmental Services website (FAQ and further info on the ordinance)