San Francisco (CA)

Was instituted to monitor and publicly disclose energy usage data of existing nonresidential structures via benchmarking. Nonresidential buildings are obligated to undergo standardized energy audits every five years, with owners required to measure their building’s energy consumption and submit the data to the City. The Existing Buildings Ordinance of San Francisco applies to nonresidential buildings with a gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or more and multifamily residential buildings with 50,000 square feet or larger. Compliance entails conducting a standardized energy audit report every five years and reporting energy usage data to the San Francisco Department of the Environment annually through the EPA’s Portfolio Manager platform.

Applicable Entities

Mandatory compliance applies to nonresidential buildings with a gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or more and multifamily residential buildings with 50,000 square feet or larger.

Submission Deadlines

The compliance deadline is April 1st for all nonresidential buildings exceeding 10,000 square feet.

Reporting Procedures

Building owners are required to report their energy usage data to the EPA’s Portfolio Manager platform. Facilitation with San Francisco Building Energy Benchmarking can be provided by relevant entities.

Penalty Structure

Fines for noncompliance are as follows:

• For buildings of 50,000 square feet and larger: Fines amount to $2,500.00 and $1,250.00, with additional penalties of up to $100.00 per day for a maximum of 25 days within a twelve-month period for each building in violation.
• For buildings of 49,999 square feet or less: Fines amount to up to $50.00 per day for a maximum of 25 days within a twelve-month period for each building in violation.