Des Moines, IA

On June 3, 2019, Des Moines became the first city in Iowa to require buildings larger than 25,000 square feet to benchmark their building energy data.

Title: Energy and Water Use Benchmarking for Certain Properties in Des Moines

Date Passed: June 3, 2019

Policy Language: Ordinance 15,779

Summary: Des Moines, Iowa joined the ranks of some of the most sustainability-conscious cities in the Midwest when the city council adopted a benchmarking ordinance on June 3, 2019. The ordinance will require all city-owned buildings and privately-owned commercial and multifamily buildings larger than 25,000 square feet to report their energy and water usage to the city. Currently, large buildings in Des Moines account for 56% of greenhouse gas emissions, and this initiative will aid in the city’s goal of reducing their emissions 28% by 2025.

Compliance Deadline	Type of Building
June 1, 2019 (for 2018) and each June thereafter	City covered properties
May 1, 2020 (for 2019) and each June thereafter	Covered properties other than city covered properties