The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability today released the Multifamily Energy Reporting and Tenant Notice policy for a 30-day public comment period. The draft climate policy would propose code changes aimed at expanding the current commercial building energy reporting program to include multifamily residential buildings. It seeks to help reduce carbon emissions and health risks for Portlanders by expanding energy reporting requirements to multifamily buildings and increasing prospective renters’ understanding of their energy bills, indoor air quality, and access to cooling.
The proposed policy has two parts:
- Energy reporting to the City: This adds multifamily residential buildings to the list of entities required to report to the City, and only impacts buildings that are 20,000 sq. ft. and larger.
- Climate and health information for tenants: Owners of attached rental housing, which includes duplexes and larger buildings, would be required to notify prospective renters of climate and health information at time of application. This information would also be reported to the City annually.
Portlanders are encouraged to review the proposed code and provide public comment using the Map App tool on the BPS website between May 15 and June 14, 2024. The website also includes frequently asked questions for both property owners and prospective tenants/renters.
Members of the public, including multifamily property owners and current and prospective renters, are also invited to attend one of two identical informational meetings. Please register online to learn more about this proposed policy:
Disclosure of information is foundational to Portland’s equitable building decarbonization policies. Portland has already adopted reporting and disclosure requirements for single-family-residential homes and large-commercial buildings. Building owners can manage their buildings better with insight into energy use and costs. Individuals and families can make better decisions for themselves when information about monthly costs and health risks is more transparent and accessible.
About the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) develops creative and practical solutions to enhance Portland’s livability, preserve distinctive places and plan for a resilient future. BPS collaborates with community partners to provide comprehensive land use, neighborhood, district, economic, historic and environmental planning, and urban design; research, policy and technical services to advance green building, energy efficiency and the use of solar and renewable energy, waste prevention, composting and recycling, and a sustainable food system; and policy and actions to address climate change.