The Ordinance applies to non-residential buildings with gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or more and residential buildings 50,000 square feet or larger. All buildings are required to benchmark energy use; for commercial buildings the ordinance also requires an energy audit or a plan to reduce carbon emissions.

A related ordinance requires the largest commercial buildings to obtain 100% renewable electricity. 

Ordinance Overview

Benchmarking

How to Comply with San Francisco's Benchmarking Requirement
Help with Benchmarking
What's the purpose of energy benchmarking?
FAQ

Energy Audits

How to Comply with San Francisco's Energy Audit Requirement
Minimum Qualifications for Energy Auditors
What's the purpose of an energy audit?
Supporting resources and financing

News

100% Renewable Electricity OrdinanceThe largest commercial buildings are required to obtain all electricity from renewable sources by subscribing to a qualifying service. 

Strategic Decarbonization Assessment is a financial plan for managing carbon emissions and energy efficiency. An SDA fulfills the energy audit requirement of the Existing Buildings Ordinance.

California AB802 is a state law that requires commercial and multifamily buildings 50,000 gross square feet or larger to benchmark energy use. Submitting one annual benchmark report to San Francisco satisfies both local and state regulations. 

 

Resources

Has your building complied? Look Up EBO Compliance Status

Explore market trends on the Existing Buildings Dashboard

Learn how municipal buildings are improving energy performance