Chula Vista (CA)

Is a citywide energy benchmarking and building performance program aimed at improving energy efficiency in existing commercial and multifamily buildings within the city of Chula Vista. Enacted to promote sustainability goals, BESO requires owners of such buildings to report energy usage annually, meet building performance standards every five years, and demonstrate improvements every ten years.

2. Compliance Phases

BESO consists of two main phases:

Phase I – Benchmarking Disclosure

• • Annually due by May 20th

Phase II – Building Performance Standards

• • Compliance dates vary based on building size and type:
    • Commercial Buildings Performance Targets / A/RCx: Every five years, starting 2023 or later for buildings over 50,000 sq. ft. and starting 2026 or later for buildings between 20,000 and 49,999 sq. ft.
    • Commercial Buildings Min. Improvement Requirements: Every ten years, starting 2028 or later for buildings over 50,000 sq. ft. and starting 2031 or later for buildings between 20,000 and 49,999 sq. ft.
    • Multifamily Prescriptive Upgrades: Starting 2023 or later, schedule TBD.

3. Exemptions from Benchmarking

Exemptions from benchmarking include situations where:

• • No/temporary certificate of occupancy for more than half of the reporting calendar year.
  • The building is scheduled to be demolished within one year from the reporting date.
  • The building is under financial distress.
  • The building does not receive energy or water service.
  • Disclosure of energy usage data would violate applicable privacy laws by revealing proprietary information.

4. Program Enforcement

Failure to comply with BESO results in a notification and a 60-day window for compliance. Failure to submit the report within this timeframe may lead to fines of up to $2,250 on a per-incident basis, with the amount determined based on the building’s gross floor area (GFA).