Energy & Water Efficiency

Announcements

• The reporting deadline for the 2026/2027 data cycle is April 1st, 2027.
• View the 2024 Energy and Water Efficiency Report. Thank you to all properties who reported data.

Program Details

In 2019, the City of Reno passed the Energy and Water Efficiency Program ordinance (RMC Chapter 14.30) which requires that the largest commercial buildings in Reno report their energy and water data to the city. The purpose of a benchmarking and transparency ordinance is to establish a program that encourages large commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings to invest in energy efficiency to improve building performance, which will result in lower carbon emissions from the commercial building sector. Energy benchmarking is the process of measuring a building’s energy use over time. Benchmarking will give owners the information they need to identify opportunities to cut energy waste and understand how their building performs relative to similar buildings.

A benchmarking and transparency ordinance is a proven, local government intervention that results in decreased energy use and reduced carbon emissions. It will also assist the city with targeting sectors most in need of technical assistance, incentives, and training. This policy is a market-based tool designed to overcome barriers and create demand for energy efficiency improvements in commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings.

Voluntary participation for buildings under the current minimum threshold and buildings owned by the State of Nevada or federal government are highly recommended to benchmark and join ReEnergize Reno.

Reporting Deadline

Energy and Water data is due for covered properties on April 1st of each year.

Benchmarking Knowledgebase

• How to benchmark data (with video tutorials) and written instructions
• What types of data need to be benchmarked
• Reno's covered properties list
• Benchmarking resources such as consultants for hire, EnergyStar tutorials, and City of Reno Staff office hours
• Exemption and extension request forms
• Previous years' benchmarking reports and more!

Exemptions and Deadline Extensions

Buildings may qualify for a deadline extension or an exemption to the reporting requirements. To view qualifying exemption criteria, visit RMC RMC Chapter 14.30. If you believe you qualify for an extension, or would like to receive an extension, please fill out this Energy and Water Efficiency Program Exemptions and/or Extensions Request. Requests will be processed every Friday.

Non-Compliance

Properties that are on the Covered Property List, but do not report data or file for an exemption or extension by the April 1^st deadline will be subject to penalties. As outlined in Chapter 14.30 of the Reno Administrative Code, properties that are non-compliant will be sent a warning notice. If data has not been reported or an exemption has not been filed within 30 days of the warning notice, a penalty fine of $100 will be billed to the property owner. Penalty fines will increase, as long as the building is non-compliant. For more information on penalties, please view Chapter 14.30.014 of the Reno Administrative Code.

There are additional performance reporting requirements beginning April, 2026. Performance reporting requirements and targets, and all additional provisions can be found in Chapter 14.30 of the Reno Municipal Code.

ReEnergize Reno