Calling allproperty managers and building owners in Montreal! Did you know that buildings over 2,000 square meters (20k sqft) or 25 doors must now disclose their energy usage?
Feeling overwhelmed by the process? Don’t worry, we’re here to break it all down for you in plain, simple terms.
What’s the Deal with Montreal’s New 21-042 Building Energy Bylaw? Montreal’s “Law Concerning GHG Emission Disclosures and Ratings for Large Buildings ” is part of the city’s effort to fight climate change. And with good reason: buildings account for 48% of GHG emissions in Montreal. This bylaw is a critical step toward reducing emissions and creating a more sustainable urban environment.
The Goal? Benchmark and Improve The bylaw is all about transparency. Montreal wants to collect data on building energy use to:
1. Benchmark Performance : Understand which buildings are energy-efficient and which need improvement.
2. Raise Awareness : Give property owners the tools they need to take action.
3. Encourage Retrofitting : Help reduce GHG emissions by promoting energy-efficient upgrades.
Who Needs to Comply? If your building is
2,000 square meters (20k sqft) Or 25 doors
Watch out though the rules keep on changing here were the requirements for the last few years:
Data for 2021: The by-law applies to any building with a floor area of 15,000 m² or more that is not exclusively residential and to any city-owned building of 2,000 m² or more. Data for 2022: The by-law applies to any building with a floor area of 5,000 m² or more or with 50 or more dwelling units. Data for 2023+: The by-law applies to any building with a floor area of 2,000 m² or more or with 25 or more dwelling units.
You’re required to submit an energy disclosure by June 30 every year .
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
Montreal isn’t messing around with this one.
Failing to comply could lead to fines of up to $4,000 per year .
It’s not just about avoiding penalties—falling behind on compliance could also hurt your building’s reputation and long-term value.
Why Is This Important?
Think of this as the beginning of Montreal’s journey to curb emissions. In cities like New York and Paris, similar laws have been introduced and have paved the way for deeper regulations, such as energy efficiency ratings and retrofitting requirements. Montreal’s bylaw could be the first step in a series of regulations aimed at reducing urban emissions.
How Citera’s EcoTax Can Help Montrealers Let’s face it: navigating energy disclosures can be daunting. But with EcoTax , we make it simple, efficient, and even insightful.
Here’s how we support you:
Automated Submissions : Our platform handles your disclosure reports, ensuring you meet deadlines and avoid fines.Done in minutes : Forget sifting through a mountain of PDF’s and training and back and forth with the city post submission. With EcoTax it’s automated, done in minutes, AND guarantees conformity. Self-Service or Full Support : Whether you prefer a hands-on approach or need help from our certified energy auditors, we’ve got you covered.Optimize Performance consulting and dashboarding : Once your submission is done we can help you analyze your energy data to uncover opportunities for improvement, helping you cut costs and emissions. You can even upgrade your subscription to EcoView for a live data dashboard!
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
With the first fines set to hit in 2025 , now is the time to act. EcoTax has already helped over 300 buildings streamline their compliance processes and reduce their environmental impact. Let us help you save time, avoid fines, and position your building as a leader in sustainability.
Ready to get started? Reach out to us today and let’s make compliance easy and impactful for your building!
Check out these city resources! Get started with Citera today! Reach out to info@citera.ai or sign up here
