Energy Code Compliance in Ann Arbor

Energy compliance handled as engineering, not paperwork — documentation matched to the exact code edition your permitting jurisdiction enforces.

Energy Engineering for Ann Arbor Projects

Commercial compliance follows Michigan's ASHRAE 90.1-2013-based energy requirements. In 5A, envelope continuity, condensation control, heat recovery, efficient heating, and lighting controls should be reconciled with DTE service and the operating schedules of research or institutional buildings.

Ann Arbor Permitting & Code Snapshot

Permit Office (AHJ)

City of Ann Arbor Building Department

Building Code

Michigan Building Code, 2015 edition (based on the 2015 IBC), as adopted statewide

Commercial Energy Code

Michigan commercial energy code based on ASHRAE 90.1-2013, administered under the Michigan Construction Code

Electric Utility

DTE Energy

County

Washtenaw County

Design Climate

Ann Arbor is climate zone 5A, with cold snowy winters, humid summers, freeze-thaw, and heavy-rain events. Hilly glacial terrain, clay soils, and Huron River watershed conditions make grading, erosion, and infiltration site-specific.

Code adoptions and local amendments change on multi-year cycles. The state source verification date is 2026-07-28; we verify the governing editions with City of Ann Arbor Building Department at project kickoff.

Scope of Services

COMcheck / prescriptive compliance documentation
Whole-building performance energy modeling
Envelope, mechanical, and lighting compliance coordination
Plan-check comment resolution with the AHJ
Above-code and incentive program analysis
Title 24 Part 6 documentation (California projects)

Working with City of Ann Arbor Building Department

Plan Review Process

The Building Department receives building permit applications and coordinates plan review and inspections; zoning, site-plan, stormwater, and fire reviews can be distinct city approvals. Michigan's statewide construction code is administered locally.

Local Amendments

Ann Arbor does not replace the statewide commercial building code with a city IBC edition; local zoning, site-plan, stormwater, historic-district, and fire requirements remain project-specific.

Utility Coordination

DTE coordinates new electric service and distributed generation. The City of Ann Arbor provides water and sanitary sewer; verify capacity, water-main extensions, fire flow, and stormwater requirements early.

Ann Arbor Market Context

University of Michigan, healthcare, research, mobility, and technology support Ann Arbor's institutional and innovation construction market. Infill and campus-adjacent work commonly requires careful utility, traffic, stormwater, and existing-building coordination.

Verified Local Sources

Reviewed 2026-09-11. Code editions and local requirements can change; confirm the current requirements with the authority having jurisdiction before design.

Permit authority Adopted codes Local amendments Utilities Utilities Climate Market context

Ann Arbor FAQs

What code does Ann Arbor use for commercial buildings?

Ann Arbor administers Michigan's statewide 2015 Michigan Building Code, based on the 2015 IBC, with commercial energy requirements based on ASHRAE 90.1-2013.

Which utilities serve Ann Arbor?

DTE Energy provides electric service; the City provides water and sanitary sewer. Confirm parcel-specific capacity, fire flow, extensions, and stormwater discharge requirements.

Why does site design need early watershed review?

Ann Arbor's Huron River watershed, glacial slopes, clay soils, and heavy-rain events make stormwater quality, erosion, grading, and a lawful outlet important before the site plan is fixed.

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