Title
Approval of an Ordinance Adopting a Residential Energy Performance Rating and Disclosure Policy
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use and Environment Committee recommends that the City Council consider the proposed ordinance for a Residential Energy Performance Rating and Disclosure Policy.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the proposed ordinance adopting a Residential Energy Performance Rating and Disclosure Policy.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the proposed ordinance adopting a Residential Energy Performance Rating and Disclosure Policy.
Staff Contact:
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs, 360.753.8249
Presenter(s):
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs
Background and Analysis:
Since early 2023, the City of Olympia has been working with the cities of Lacey and Tumwater and Thurston County, through the Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative (TCMC), to develop a model ordinance for a home energy assessment and disclosure policy. The proposed ordinance is intended to provide homebuyers with transparent information about a home's energy performance and encourage cost-effective energy-efficiency upgrades.
The proposed ordinance requires sellers to obtain and disclose a Home Energy Score (HES) before listing a residential property for sale. The HES is a standardized energy assessment and rating tool developed by the US Department of Energy. It evaluates a home's energy efficiency on a scale of 1 -10, estimates annual energy costs, and recommends cost-effective upgrades to improve the home's energy performance. The score is provided by a trained energy assessor, who evaluates a home's physical characteristics, such as insulation, heating and cooling systems, and other elements that impact home energy use.
The proposed model ordinance was developed collaboratively across the TCMC jurisdictions to provide consistency throughout Thurston County and reduce complexity for real estate professional...
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