A new year brings new opportunities and for commercial building owners, it also brings important energy compliance milestones. While many benchmarking and audit deadlines fall later in the year, January is the smartest time to plan. Early preparation reduces risk, avoids rushed reporting, and often uncovers cost-saving opportunities that directly improve building performance.
As energy performance laws continue expanding across cities and states, understanding what applies to your portfolio in 2026 is essential.
The beginning of the year is more than a reset, it's the most strategic window for compliance planning.
Owners who plan early often avoid late fees, correction notices, and last-minute consulting costs.
Energy data visualization helps building owners track performance metrics in real-time.
While requirements vary by jurisdiction, most energy laws fall into two categories:
Cities like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Denver, and Washington D.C. require annual benchmarking through ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager. If you're new to the platform, our team can walk you through the setup process step by step.
Many jurisdictions require energy audits every 5–10 years, often triggered by:
Audits are not just compliance tools, they often identify operational fixes with strong ROI. Use our commercial building energy audit checklist to prepare for your next assessment.
| City | 2026 Deadline | Building Threshold | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
April 1 |
20,000 sq ft |
$10/sq ft annually |
|
|
May 1 |
25,000 sq ft |
$268/ton excess CO2 |
|
|
May 1 |
25,000 sq f |
Varies by violation |
|
|
June 1 |
20,000 sq ft |
Per violation basis |
|
|
June 1 |
50,000 sq ft |
$100 + $25/day (up to $9,200/yr) |
|
|
June 1 |
10,000 sq ft |
Per violation basis |
|
|
June 30 |
10,000 sq ft |
Per violation basis |
|
|
July 1 |
20,000 sq ft or 15+ units |
$234/ton excess emissions |
|
|
June 30 |
50,000 sq ft |
$300/day late filing |
|
|
June 1 |
25,000 sq ft |
$500 first offense |
Note: Deadlines and thresholds may change. Always verify with your local jurisdiction's official resources.
Professional energy audits identify operational improvements that deliver measurable ROI.
Managing properties in Los Angeles? LA's EBEWE has some of the most aggressive goals following NYC’s Local Laws 84 and 87. Schedule a meeting to find out what your portfolio is required to do and what kind of penalties you may face for non-compliance.
Looking ahead, several trends continue into 2026:
States and municipalities are increasingly using benchmarking data to inform future building performance standards (BPS) making accuracy more important than ever.
Energy compliance isn't just about meeting requirements, it supports smarter asset management.
Buildings that consistently benchmark and audit tend to perform better financially over time.
Upgrading building systems delivers measurable efficiency gains and long-term cost savings.
Insight Energy Consulting helps commercial owners stay ahead of evolving energy laws with:
Whether you manage one building or a national portfolio, early planning simplifies compliance throughout the year. Learn more about our Energy Audit Pathways and BPS services.
Most jurisdictions require energy audits every 5 to 10 years. Los Angeles requires audits every 5 years under EBEWE. Audit requirements are often triggered by building size, time since the last audit, or changes in ownership. Some cities allow exemptions for buildings that achieve ENERGY STAR certification with a score of 75 or higher.
ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is the EPA’s free online tool used by most cities for energy benchmarking compliance. It calculates a 1–100 score comparing your building’s energy performance to similar properties nationwide. A score of 50 is average; a score of 75 or higher qualifies for ENERGY STAR certification.
Benchmarking requires measuring and reporting energy consumption—it’s about transparency. Building Performance Standards (BPS) go further by requiring buildings to meet specific emissions reduction targets, with penalties for non-compliance. Most cities start with benchmarking and later add performance standards.
Start 2026 informed, and prepared.
Stay up to date with Energy Compliance issues and changes.
