Home Energy Score Model Ordinance

One of the TCMC’s 2024 regional initiatives is to create a model ordinance for a regionally coordinated home energy score disclosure program. A Home Energy Score (HES) is a standardized rating system for home efficiency, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, which can be adopted readily by local governments. A HES looks at the assets and infrastructure of the home to estimate energy use/costs and provide recommendations to cost-effectively improve the home’s efficiency. This information allows prospective homebuyers to consider the home’s energy burden as part of their purchase decision and financing. The model ordinance is expected to be considered by the TCMC City Councils and Board of County Commissioners in 2026 for potential adoption.

Upcoming and Recent HES Ordinance meetings at Jurisdictions:

Thurston County:

The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) is set to vote on potential adoption of the ordinance on March 17, 2026.

Board of County Commissioners Business Meeting (3/17/2026)

Board Public Hearing (2/17/2026)

Board of County Commissioners Work Session (12/10/2025, 51:10)

Board of County Commissioners Work Session (10/15/2025, 1:00:53)

Olympia:

The Olympia City Council is scheduled to vote on potential adoption of the ordinance on March 24, 2026.

Land Use & Environment Committee Meeting (2/20/2025)

City Council Study Session (3/11/2025)

Lacey:

The city of Lacey will place the HES model ordinance on their 2026 workplan in early 2026 for consideration and adoption by the city council; staff will begin working internally on this action in late 2025.

Tumwater:

City Council Work Session (2/24/2026)

Tumwater staff briefed the City Council on the concept of a Home Energy Score and the work done on the model ordinance to date. The City Council encouraged staff to continue work on this effort and bring more information to a future work session.

Documents: