Eugene Council Reviewed Home Energy Disclosure Proposal
The city is weighing a mandate that would require sellers to provide a home energy score before listing their property.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Residential
Live Poll
Should homeowners be required to disclose an energy efficiency score when selling their property?
Eugene City Council recently held a public hearing to discuss a proposed ordinance requiring homeowners to disclose a Home Energy Score when listing their property for sale. The score evaluates expected energy use based on features like insulation, windows, and climate control systems.
Why it matters
Proponents argue that standardized scores help buyers anticipate upgrade costs and future energy bills, though critics warn the fees could place a strain on lower-income residents.
Assessments for a Home Energy Score are estimated to cost approximately $300 per property. Under a previous 2017 pilot program, homes built around 1977 achieved an average score of 3.7.
The players
Eugene City Council
This local governing body is responsible for making policy decisions and passing ordinances for the city of Eugene.
EWEB
The Eugene Water and Electric Board is a local utility provider that partnered with the city and the university to launch the 2017 energy assessment program.
University of Oregon
This major public research institution located in Eugene collaborated on the 2017 SCORE program to analyze residential housing efficiency.
The details
The ordinance would mandate that sellers obtain an assessment rating a home's efficiency based on structural features. This proposal builds upon the foundation of a 2017 partnership between the city, EWEB, and the University of Oregon to evaluate residential energy performance.
Timeline
The SCORE program was launched in 2017.
City Council held a hearing on the ordinance on September 21, 2026.
The City Council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance on October 28, 2026.
Roadmap
The proposed ordinance expands upon the precedent set by the 2017 SCORE energy assessment program, shifting from a voluntary pilot to a mandatory disclosure requirement for all home sales. This legislative move reflects a broader trend of municipalities implementing energy-transparency standards to improve residential efficiency across aging housing stocks.
Homeowners planning to sell their properties should prepare for a potential $300 cost associated with obtaining the required energy score. Prospective buyers may soon gain more transparency regarding a home's structural efficiency, potentially impacting their decision-making process during property searches.
The takeaway
Mandatory energy disclosures are becoming a common tool for cities aiming to improve transparency in the residential real estate market. Residents should monitor the upcoming council vote to understand how these requirements might apply to future property transactions in their area.
What happens next
The Eugene City Council is scheduled to hold a final vote on the proposed energy disclosure ordinance on October 28, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local housing initiatives on the Residential section page.
Live Poll
Should homeowners be required to disclose an energy efficiency score when selling their property?
