SmartRegs Compliance Deadline Is Dec. 31: Is Your Home Ready?

BOULDER, CO -- By next week, any home in Boulder that doesn't meet baseline energy efficiency standards will no longer be a legal rental. The SmartRegs ordinance was adopted by city council as an update to the housing code and rental licensing code in 2010 as a way to improve energy efficiency in local rental housing. Landlords had until the end of 2018 to make sure that their properties passed inspections — a clock that has all but run out.

As of Jan. 2, 2019, all non-compliant SmartRegs rental properties' licenses will be considered expired and the units will no longer eligible to rent. Any property that is rented or advertised to rent without a valid license will be issued fines that begin with $150–$300 for a first offense, and rise as high as $1000 for a third offense. Each investigation will also carry a separate fee of $250.

If you have a rental property that is not in compliance or is in need of an inspection, the city's EnergySmart office is available to help make a plan at 303-544-1001.

Data from the third quarter of 2018 showed more than 89 percent of local rentals meeting compliance standards. According to city metrics, the efficiency upgrades to date have an equivalent effect to taking 904 cars off the road each year.

Do you like this article? Join the Boulder Patch on Facebook! Stay in touch with the news and events that shape Boulder County. Sign up for your free Patch newsletter here.

Photo credit: Shutterstock