The City of Los Angeles’s Existing Buildings Energy and Water Efficiency (EBEWE) Ordinance requires all privately-owned buildings 20,000 square feet and larger to benchmark energy and water usage annually and complete energy and water audits and retro-commissioning (A/RCx) every five years. The program is administered by the LA Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) and supports the City’s LA Green New Deal sustainability goals.
| When | Requirement |
|---|---|
|
Annual |
Phase I Benchmarking (Due June 1): Submit whole-building energy and water data via
ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to LADBS. Register building, pay fee ($61+), and submit
benchmark report. |
|
5-Year Cycle |
Phase II A/RCx (Due December 1): Complete energy & water audit and retro-commissioning,
or qualify for performance-based exemption. Compliance year determined by last digit of
LADBS Building ID.
|
The LA City Council has approved revisions to the EBEWE Ordinance to integrate a new Building Performance Standard (BPS) aimed at decarbonizing the building sector. The BPS will apply to buildings over 20,000 sq ft and will set energy or carbon targets by building size and type, similar to NYC Local Law 97, DC BEPS, and Boston BERDO. The goal is a 44% reduction in site EUI across all building types by 2050 and carbon neutrality before 2050, under the LA Green New Deal. LADBS is currently conducting stakeholder engagement and developing the ordinance amendments.
Buildings may be subject to both EBEWE and thenew BPS.
West Hollywood has adopted its own Equitable Building Performance Standard (EBPS), effective December 2025, which
is separate from and more aggressive than LA EBEWE. Key requirements:
Insight Energy Consulting can help you navigate compliance with both LA EBEWE and WeHo EBPS.
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