Benchmarking Compliance

Simplify compliance, streamline reporting, & increase portfolio-wide transparency

Utility benchmarking is the practice of measuring how much energy and water a building consumes and comparing that against other, similar buildings. This allows owners and occupants to understand their buildings’ energy performances relative to similar buildings and helps identify opportunities to cut waste. Many cities, states, and municipal governments across North America have passed utility benchmarking ordinances, requiring buildings to track and report their annual energy and water consumption.

Utility benchmarking and transparency allows building owners, governments, and the public to better understand how their buildings use energy and water. With this knowledge, they can make smarter and more cost-effective improvements, comply with local laws & avoid fines, save money & cut waste, and support the local economy. A majority of the available savings can be achieved with only low- or no-cost changes.

In order to mitigate your risk of being penalized for failing to comply or missing a deadline, make sure you study the information below* to gain an understanding of the requirements and deadlines. Check out our best practice guide for simplified benchmarking compliance, reporting, and transparency: Download guide

Identify your property by location, type, and square footage to find your benchmark compliance deadline **

Ann Arbor, MI Updated in 2023

Ann Arbor, MI
Energy
Water

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Industrial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Aspen, CO Updated in 2023

Aspen, CO
Energy
Water

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 15,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Atlanta, GA

Atlanta, GA
Energy
Water

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 25,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 25,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Written notice of first violation; Fine of $1,000 if 30 days late, an additional $1,000 every year thereafter

Austin, TX

Austin, TX
Energy

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 10,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Proof of culpable mental state is not required for a fine of up to $500. If a person acts with criminal negligence, a fine of up to $2,000 may be assessed.

Berkeley, CA

Berkeley, CA
Energy

Due date:

07/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 15,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 15,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Owners that fail to comply with the ordinance may be subject to a fine of $100 for each violation, and an additional fine of up to $25 for each day that the violation continues, up to a maximum of $1,000 per violation

Bloomington, MN Updated in 2023

Bloomington, MN
Energy

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 75,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 75,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Boston, MA

Boston, MA
Energy
Water
GHG limit

Due date:

05/15/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 20,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 20,000+ sqft. OR 15+ dwellings
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

$75 to $200 per day for owners. Maximum annual fine is $3,000. Non-residential tenants may be fined up to $35 at a time for failing to supply building owners with their energy data. Residential tenants will not be fined.

GHG emissions limit:

Link to emissions limit info

Boulder, CO

Boulder, CO
Energy

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 20,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 20,000+ sqft.
  • Industrial properties: 20,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Failure to comply with the ordinance can result in fines of $0.0025 per square foot up to $1,000 per day of non-compliance.

Additional notes:

Large industrial campuses have their own custom requirements.

Brisbane, CA

Brisbane, CA
Energy
Water

Due date:

05/15/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 10,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 10,000+ sqft.
  • Industrial properties: 10,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

California, Statewide

California, Statewide
Energy

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

The California Energy Commission is authorized to impose a civil fine, as provided, for a violation of data submission requirements.

Cambridge, MA

Cambridge, MA
Energy
Water

Due date:

05/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 25,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50+ dwellings
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

First violation results in a warning. Subsequent violations result in a fine of $300 per day.

Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL
Energy

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Owner subject up to $100 fine for 1st violation and additional fines up to $25/day

Chula Vista, CA

Chula Vista, CA
Energy

Due date:

05/20/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 20,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 20,000+ sqft.
  • Industrial properties: 20,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Colorado, Statewide Updated in 2023

Colorado, Statewide
Energy

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Industrial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Columbus, OH

Columbus, OH
Energy
Water

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Denver, CO

Denver, CO
Energy

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 25,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 25,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

DDPHE will offer in-person trainings on how to benchmark as well as help center support to provide one-on-one responses to questions and follow-up with any owners who have not complied on-time or who had obvious data errors. Any buildings in non-compliance after the June 1 deadline will be notified about a 90-day grace period and assistance in complying will be offered. Buildings still in non-compliance at the end of the 90-day grace period will be assessed a penalty of $2,000.

Des Moines, IA

Des Moines, IA
Energy
Water

Due date:

07/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 25,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 25,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Late submissions (more than 30 days) will be charged a $50 late fee. Failure to remediate non-compliance within 30 days will result in a $300 violation fee. Subsequent violations will be charged a $500 fee.

Edina, MN

Edina, MN
Energy

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 25,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 25,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Evanston, IL

Evanston, IL
Energy
Water

Due date:

06/30/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 20,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 20,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter will be fined one hundred dollars ($100) for each such offense. Every month a violation continues will be deemed a separate offense.

Fort Collins, CO

Fort Collins, CO
Energy
Water

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 5,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 5,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Non-compliance can result in a fee of up to $1000 per violation

Honolulu, HI New in 2023

Honolulu, HI
Energy
Water

Due date:

06/30/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 100,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 100,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Indianapolis, IN New in 2023

Indianapolis, IN
Energy
Water

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 100,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 100,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Kansas City, MO

Kansas City, MO
Energy
Water

Due date:

05/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Industrial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Written warning for first failure to comply; fine of up to $500 if compliance not met within 60 days of warning; additional to other remedies, city may file suit

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, CA
Energy
Water

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 20,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 20,000+ sqft.
  • Industrial properties: 20,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Failure to comply with this division shall subject the owner to noncompliance fees as specified in Section 98.0411 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, except that the amount of the noncompliance fee shall be $202.

Massachusetts, Statewide Tentative deadline in 2025

Massachusetts, Statewide
energy

Due date:

06/30/2025

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 20,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 20,000+ sqft.

Miami, FL New in 2023

Miami, FL
energy
water

Due date:

06/30/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 200,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 200,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Additional notes:

Commercial & multifamily properties between 100,000 sqft. and 199,999 sqft. will be required to submit their utility usage data on October 1st, 2023

Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis, MN
energy
water

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Warning notice mailed to the building owner, indicating 45 days to comply else face a penalty. Failure to comply with penalties may result in a suspension of commercial building registration.

Montgomery County, MD Updated in 2023

Montgomery County, MD
energy

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 25,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 250,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

New Jersey, Statewide New in 2023

New Jersey, Statewide
energy
water

Due date:

10/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 25,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 25,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

New York, NY

New York, NY
energy
water
GHG limit

Due date:

05/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 25,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 25,000+ sqft.
  • Industrial properties: 25,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

$500 fine for missing May 1st benchmarking deadline, additional $500 fines for each subsequent quarter failing to benchmark (maximum: $2,000)

GHG emissions limit:

Link to emissions limit info

Ontario, Canada Updated in 2023

Ontario, Canada
energy
water

Due date:

07/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Industrial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Failure to comply with the benchmarking requirements will result in public transparency status being listed as "non-compliant".

Orlando, FL

Orlando, FL
energy
water

Due date:

05/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Violations of this section are punishable as provided in Article I, Chapter 5, of the Orlando City Code. However, no owner of a covered property found to be in violation of this Part shall be fined more than $2,000 per year.

Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia, PA
energy
water

Due date:

06/30/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

$300 fine for the 1st 30 days, and then $100/day

Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh, PA
energy
water

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Failure to comply with the benchmarking requirements will result in publicly being listed as non-compliant on the online platform, described as "eligible and non-participating".

Portland, ME

Portland, ME
energy
water

Due date:

05/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 20,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50+ dwellings
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

For the first violation, a written warning may be issued. Any subsequent or ongoing violation will be subject to a fine of up to $20.00 per day.

Portland, OR Suspended for 2023

Portland, OR
energy

Due date:

04/22/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 20,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

$500 for every 90 day period during which violations continue.

Reno, NV

Reno, NV
energy
water

Due date:

04/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 30,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 30,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

A written notice may be issued for the violation; if the information is not reported within 30 days, a penalty of up to $500 depending on length of time.

Saint Paul, MN

Saint Paul, MN
energy
water

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City, UT
energy

Due date:

05/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 25,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

The Director may issue up to three written notices of noncompliance to the Owner, allowing Owner to remedy such noncompliance within 90 days after each notice of violation. After the third written notice of violation, the Director may impose a fine of up to $500 per violation thereafter not exceeding a total of $1,000 annually.

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA
energy

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50,000+ sqft. OR 17+ residential units
Ordinance website

San Francisco, CA Updated in 2023

San Francisco, CA
energy

Due date:

05/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 10,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

San Jose, CA

San Jose, CA
energy
water

Due date:

05/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 20,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 20,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Seattle, WA

Seattle, WA
energy

Due date:

07/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 20,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 20,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Penalties accrue quarterly, starting 90 days after reporting deadlines. Buildings 50,000 SF or greater: $1,000/quarter. Buildings greater than or equal to 20,000 SF and less than 50,000 SF: $500/quarter

South Portland, ME Updated in 2023

South Portland, ME
energy
water

Due date:

05/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 20,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 20,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

St. Louis, MO

St. Louis, MO
energy
water

Due date:

05/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 50,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 50,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

If benchmarking information is not reported within 60 days after a written warning is issued, the owner is subject to a fine of at least $50 and not more than $200. Each day of the violation is a separate offense. Cumulative fine cannot exceed $1,000.

St. Louis Park, MN

St. Louis Park, MN
energy
water

Due date:

06/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 25,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 25,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Washington, DC

Washington, DC
energy
water

Due date:

04/01/2023

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 25,000+ sqft.
  • Multifamily properties: 25,000+ sqft.
  • Industrial properties: 25,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Penalties for non-compliance:

Up to $100 per day.

Washington, Statewide Tentative deadline in 2026

Washington, Statewide
energy

Due date:

06/01/2026

Property types required:

  • Commercial properties: 220,000+ sqft.
Ordinance website

Questions?

Submit your questions about local benchmarking compliance below!

The above data was last updated on 03/24/2023 & will be periodically updated.

This page provides a brief overview of compliance requirements for local benchmarking ordinances in North America; if you are still unclear about the requirements or unsure if your building is required to comply, make sure to contact us for clarification today.