Ann Arbor reaches milestone for rental properties providing healthy, comfortable, efficient housing
The City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI) is reporting as of July, more than 500 rental properties in Ann Arbor have achieved compliance with the Green Rental Housing Ordinance, helping to provide the local community with healthy, comfortable and efficient rental units. These properties have met the requirements of the ordinance by achieving the necessary score from a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) assessment or via the Green Rental Housing Checklist.
Properties compliant with the ordinance have taken advantage of multiple resources to improve the health, comfort and efficiency of their units while reducing energy costs. Many properties have used the A2ZERO rebates to add insulation, do air sealing and install heat pumps, among other improvements. And for multifamily rental properties, Insulate Ann Arbor is helping to provide up to 90% of the cost of insulation and air sealing work.
To keep track of all the resources and help more properties come into compliance, OSI has a resource hub for property owners that has simple steps and walkthroughs for compliance, a compilation of financial incentives that can unlock tens of thousands of dollars, and all the key materials for the ordinance. Renters can also use a renter resource hub to find tips for lowering their energy bills.
The Green Rental Housing Ordinance went into effect in January 2026, requiring every rental unit in Ann Arbor to meet a minimum energy efficiency level at the time of its rental inspection. The ordinance helps ensure that all rental units in Ann Arbor meet a minimum baseline of health, comfort and efficiency as Ann Arbor works to achieve its A2ZERO carbon neutrality goals and reduce energy costs.
In service to the City of Ann Arbor’s A2ZERO Plan, OSI continues to work on policies, initiatives and programs to help the community reduce carbon emissions from buildings while simultaneously improving health, safety, indoor air quality and overall comfort. The Green Rental Housing Ordinance is the latest of these policies. Learn more at a2zero.org.
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Media Contact:
Joe Lange, City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations Senior Energy Analyst, jlange@a2gov.org