Commercial Energy Conservation Ordinance (CECO)

Adopted in 1994, CECO requires commercial property owners to complete certain energy conservation measures in their buildings upon transfer of property ownership or when additions or renovations are made. CECO measures contribute to the Berkeley Climate Action goal of reducing Berkeley's overall greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050.  Residential spaces must comply with Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (RECO) 

When is CECO compliance required? 

• Sale or Transfer of Commercial Property: All commercial properties sold or transferred must demonstrate compliance with CECO requirements (details for both seller and buyer).
  

• Renovations or Additions: All commercial properties undergoing renovations of more than $50,000 or additions which will increase the conditioned area of your commercial property by more than 10% must demonstrate compliance with CECO requirements.
  

• Berkeley FIRST: All commercial properties participating in the Berkeley FIRST Program must demonstrate compliance with CECO requirements.

To find out if a property is CECO compliant (i.e. achieved complete compliance within the past ten years), call 510-981-7439 and provide address and Assessors Parcel Number. 

To request an Energy Audit from Community Energy Services Corporation (CESC) please call: 510-981-7762. Click here to go to CESC webpage

For an example of potential CECO energy efficiency measures please see the CECO Self-Audit Checklist.  For more information please reference the CECO Self-Audit Guide (pdf) or to the text of the ordinance at CECO Municipal Code.

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