Our Services

San Francisco Existing Commercial Buildings Ordinance

Ordinance Overview

Requirements:

1. Energy Benchmark

Deadline: April 1st (annually)

2. Energy Audit, Water Audit, & RCx Study

Deadline: April 1st (due once every 5 years)

Properties Required to Comply:

Building Size: 10,000 – 49,999 sq.ft.

Audit Requirement: ASHRAE Level I

San Jose Ordinance
Ordinance No. 3498

Energy Benchmarking

Requirement (due Annually)

The City of San Francisco requires an annual Energy Benchmark report for buildings > 10,000 sq. ft. to be submitted by April 1st annually.

The utility data that is required is for 12 months of the previous year’s usage.

Example: In 2023, John submitted Energy Benchmark utility data from the previous year (April 2022-March 2022).
All data is entered into ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager and then submitted to the San Francisco Department of the Environment. Utility information that is required includes Electrical, Gas, & Water. Any building with a high Energy Benchmark score (if applicable) may be able to apply for a Certification that can lead to an exemption on the Energy Audit required once every 5 years.

Energy Start logo

Audits/RCx Requirement

(due once every 5 yrs)

Last Digit of
LADBS #
First Compliance Year Next Compliance Due Date
0 or 1
December 1, 2021
December 1, 2026
2 or 3
December 1, 2022
December 1, 2027
4 or 5
December 1, 2023
December 1, 2028
6 or 7
December 1, 2024
December 1, 2029
8 or 9
December 1, 2025
December 1, 2030

The City requires building owners to comply with both the annual Energy Benchmark requirement and an on-site inspection* once every 5 years. The deadlines for each building will vary based on the last digit of the LADBS # (use chart above to find your deadline) and will be required to comply every 5 years from your original deadline.

Compliance Options:

1. Exemptions

Building > 5 years old (based on COI)

ENERGY STAR Certification

Simple Building Exemptions

Performance Pathway

Use Intensity Decrease (EUI/WUI)

2. Standard Compliance

Energy Audit and Water Audit

On-site inspections may be required to confirm the information provided.

Fill out my online form.
Fill out my online form.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay up to date with Energy Compliance issues and changes.

    Commercial Buildings
    Black & White Insight Energy Consulting - logo

    Request a Quote


      Insight Energy Consulting

      Request a Quote