# Austin ECAD Ordinance Guide: Commercial June 1 Filings, Multifamily Audits & Ch. 6-7

> Canonical URL: https://bcesg.org/austin-ecad-ordinance-commercial-multifamily-texas-guide/
> Jurisdiction: Austin, TX | Status: Live (June 1 Commercial >=10k · 10-Yr Multifamily Audits + HEU · Sale Audits) | Reviewed: 2026-11-14

**Short answer:** Inside Texas, [Austin's Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) Ordinance (City Code Ch. 6-7)](https://austinenergy.com/energy-efficiency/ecad-ordinance) stands alone as an active, enforceable municipal building law across the state's commercial, multifamily, and residential stock. Served directly through municipally owned **Austin Energy**, ECAD splits into three enforceable tracks: annual **June 1 commercial benchmarking down to >=10,000 sq ft**, repeating **10-year multifamily audits (>=5 units) with High-Energy-Use (HEU) retrofit duties**, and pre-sale residential audit disclosures.

Noncompliance carries Class C misdemeanor fines from **$500 to $2,000 per violation**. Meanwhile, Texas commercial operators holding assets in Houston or Dallas encounter no statewide building mandate — keeping Houston separate (`EXCL-TX-HOUSTON`: excluded from verified live statutory coverage) while centering Texas compliance strictly on Austin Energy accounts.

### Statutory Status at a Glance
- **Commercial Track (>=10,000 sq ft — June 1 Annual):** Covers offices, retail, medical, and industrial facilities receiving Austin Energy service (regardless of whether within Travis/Williamson County boundaries) via Austin Energy's automated EUI portal.
- **Multifamily Track (>=5 Units — 10-Year Audits + HEU):** Apartment owners commission certified ECAD audits every 10 years, post notice to tenants, and — if flagged as a High-Energy-Use facility (>150% average multifamily EUI) — must reduce energy consumption by 20% under city audit supervision.
- **Single-Family Sale Disclosure:** Homes 10+ years old inside Austin Energy service territory require an ECAD audit delivered to buyers before closing.

## Clearing Commercial June 1 Filings & Multifamily High-Energy-Use (HEU) Triggers

Many Texas commercial owners overlook ECAD because its trigger relies on **Austin Energy service territory** rather than strict City of Austin municipal tax lines — and starts all the way down at **10,000 sq ft**. Meanwhile, apartment investors acquiring 1980s-vintage garden apartments (>=5 units) in Austin face real capital exposure if a 10-year audit flags High-Energy-Use (HEU) status above 150% peer EUI, triggering statutory weatherization, duct sealing, and HVAC/lighting upgrades (often co-funded through Austin Energy multifamily rebates).

- **Verify Utility Provider Map First:** Confirm whether a suburban Cedar Park / Round Rock / Travis parcel takes power from Austin Energy (ECAD applies) vs. Oncor/PEC (no ECAD).
- **Audit Acquisition Diligence:** Pull existing 10-year multifamily ECAD certificates and any open HEU compliance orders prior to closing apartment trades.

| ECAD Track (Ch. 6-7) | Threshold & Territory | Deadline / Cadence | Mandate & Penalty |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial Benchmarking | >=10,000 sf (Austin Energy svc) | Annual June 1 | Automated EUI reporting ($500–$2k Class C) |
| Multifamily Audits + HEU | >=5 units (Austin Energy svc) | Every 10 yrs (May/June schedule) | Certified audit + 20% cut if HEU (>150% avg) |
| Single-Family Sale | Homes >=10 yrs old | Prior to transfer of title | Point-of-sale ECAD audit disclosure to buyer |

![Breakdown of Austin Code Ch. 6-7 ECAD: annual June 1 >=10k commercial benchmarking, >=5 unit 10-year multifamily audits & High-Energy-Use rules, and point-of-sale home audits.](https://bcesg.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/infographic-austin-ecad.png)

## Compliance Execution Checklist

| Step | Owner / Team | Auditable Deliverable |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1. Austin Energy Service Check | Asset / Diligence | Confirm >=10k commercial or >=5 unit MF sits on Austin Energy electric meters. |
| 2. June 1 Commercial Rating | Property Ops | Submit automated Austin Energy EUI calculation via city portal before June 1. |
| 3. Multifamily 10-Yr / HEU | Engineering / Mgmt | Schedule certified 10-yr ECAD audit and evaluate AE rebates if near HEU cutoff. |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What commercial buildings are subject to Austin's ECAD Ordinance?

Under Austin City Code Ch. 6-7, commercial buildings >=10,000 sq ft served by Austin Energy must calculate and disclose annual energy ratings by June 1 — even if located in unincorporated or neighboring areas served by Austin Energy.

### What happens if an Austin apartment property fails an ECAD audit as High-Energy-Use?

Multifamily properties (>=5 units) determined to consume more than 150% of the average Austin multifamily EUI on their 10-year audit must execute qualifying energy upgrades lowering use by 20% under Austin Energy oversight.

## Primary Authorities & Official Resources

- [Austin Energy — Energy Conservation Audit & Disclosure (ECAD Ch. 6-7)](https://austinenergy.com/energy-efficiency/ecad-ordinance)

*Informational notice: This guide summarizes enacted statutes, regulations, or pending legislative records from the primary authorities linked above as of November 14, 2026. It is not legal, accounting, or licensed engineering advice.*