Atlanta Energy Audit Requirements: What Building Owners Need to Know for 2026

Commercial and multifamily property owners in Atlanta may have an important energy compliance deadline approaching.

Under the City of Atlanta’s Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance (CBEEO), covered properties are required to benchmark their energy and water use annually and complete an ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit every ten years.

For properties with an Atlanta Building ID (ABID) ending in 6, the current audit compliance deadline is December 31, 2026.

Atlanta’s Energy Audit Requirement

The ordinance applies to commercial and multifamily properties within Atlanta city limits that are over 25,000 square feet. In addition to annual energy and water benchmarking, covered buildings are required to undergo an ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit every ten years.

Property owners and managers should confirm whether their building is subject to the ordinance and identify the applicable compliance deadline for their property. Properties that are out of compliance may be subject to a $1,000 per year fine from the City of Atlanta.

What Is an ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit?

An ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit provides a detailed evaluation of a building’s energy use and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs.

The assessment typically evaluates major building systems and equipment, including HVAC, lighting, building controls, and domestic hot water. From there, potential energy conservation measures can be identified and evaluated. These measures may consider anticipated savings, implementation costs, and estimated payback.

For property owners, the audit can provide valuable insight into how a building is performing and where targeted improvements may have the greatest impact.

More Than a Compliance Requirement

While Atlanta’s ordinance creates a regulatory requirement, an energy audit can also support broader property and portfolio management objectives.

Energy audits can identify inefficient equipment, operational issues, unnecessary energy consumption, and potential capital improvements. As a result, owners can make more informed decisions about their properties. For organizations managing multiple buildings, these assessments can also help prioritize investments and develop longer-term energy strategies.

How Hillmann Can Help

Hillmann Energy Consulting works with commercial real estate owners, property managers, developers, and facility teams to evaluate building energy performance and identify practical opportunities for improvement.

Our energy consulting capabilities include:

• ASHRAE Level 1, 2, and 3 Energy Audits
• ENERGY STAR® Benchmarking and Portfolio Manager Support
• Building Energy Assessments
• Energy Conservation Measure Identification
• Utility and Energy Use Analysis
• Building Systems and Controls Evaluation
• Energy Modeling
• Retro-Commissioning and Building Optimization
• Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization Consulting

For Atlanta property owners facing an upcoming audit deadline, Hillmann can provide the technical expertise needed to evaluate building performance and support energy compliance efforts.

Prepare for the December 31, 2026 Deadline

Because energy audits require advance preparation, building owners should allow time to gather utility information, evaluate building systems, conduct engineering analysis, and prepare the necessary documentation.

Owners and managers of Atlanta properties with an ABID ending in 6 should begin preparing ahead of the December 31, 2026 audit compliance deadline, particularly when managing multiple covered properties.

Hillmann Energy Consulting can help you evaluate your building’s energy performance and prepare for upcoming Atlanta energy audit requirements.

Contact Hillmann today to discuss your property and energy consulting needs.

Important Information: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes and reflects the City of Atlanta’s Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance requirements and compliance guidance available at the time of publication. Requirements, deadlines, procedures, and other program details are subject to change. Building owners, property managers, and other stakeholders should visit the BenchmarkATL website for the most current information regarding Atlanta’s energy audit requirements, compliance deadlines, exemptions, and reporting procedures.