Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (RECO)
The purpose of RECO is to increase the energy and water efficiency in Berkeley residences. Compliance with RECO measures saves money, increases the comfort and reduces the amount of greenhouse emissions in every home. This ordinance, adopted in 1987, contributes to the Berkeley Climate Action goal of reducing Berkeley's overall greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050. Commercial spaces must comply with CECO (Commercial Energy Conservation Ordinance)
When is RECO compliance required? RECO applies to all homes, residential areas of mixed-use buildings, tenants-in-common, condominiums, multi-family properties, live-work spaces and boarding houses (including the common areas/common systems) and must be complied with upon the following triggers:
To find out if a building is in compliance with RECO, contact the City’s Building and Safety Department via email at: reco@cityofberkeley.info The City maintains records for each residential property in Berkeley. If further assistance is required, call 510-981-7440 and listen for the RECO option. Please have the property address ready.
RECO Forms Form A applies to all homeowners, whether selling, transferring or renovating. Please look through other form details to see if Forms B-D or the Knob and Tube Wiring Forms apply to your home.
- Form A Appendix -- RECO Auditor or City Inspector will fill out actual Form A upon completion of compliance with measures.
- Form B -- Buyer/Seller/Agent Notification: If a property has previously met RECO compliance (since January 1, 1992), and still has all RECO measure in place (door weatherstripping, low-flow toilets, etc.) then the Seller can use Form B at the point of sale or transfer as a warranty that the building is currently RECO compliant.
- Form C -- Transfer of RECO Responsibility to buyer (can only be done once): If a property is not in RECO compliance, and the responsibility for compliance has not been transferred previously, then the Seller may chose to transfer RECO compliance to the Buyer. If the Buyer accepts responsibility, then Form C must be signed by both Seller and Buyer, and must be filed with the City of Berkeley.
- Form D -- Escrow account for RECO: This notice certifies that the Seller has complied with RECO by placing 0.75% of the FINAL sale price per structure (if the structure contains two or fewer units), or $0.50 per square foot (if the structure contains more than two units), plus the cost of the RECO inspection and the City of Berkeley filing fee held by the Title Company.
- Knob and Tube Wiring Safety Form -- Required when attic insulation is to be installed, and there is Knob & Tube wiring present in the attic.
To schedule a RECO audit for your home sale, please call Community Energy Services Corporation (CESC) at 510-981-7762 or visit the CESC website. CESC is the only authorized RECO auditor for City of Berkeley properties.
Additional Information:
RECO Compliance Guide (pdf)
Frequently Asked Questions
Municipal Building Code for RECO Ordinance
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