TABLE OF CONTENTS
COMPLIANCE GUIDE
WHAT IS THE SAN FRANCISCO BUILDING ENERGY SAVING ORDINANCE?
The City of San Francisco Building Energy 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 separate ordinance, the San Francisco Environment Code Chapter 30 (Ordinance 220-19) requires large commercial buildings to obtain all electricity from 100% renewable sources.
DOWNLOAD SAN FRANCISCO BROCHURE
SAN FRANCISCO PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Policy
EXISTING BUILDINGS ENERGY ORDINANCE
Bill Text
ORDINANCE SPECIFICS
Enforcing Agency
CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO
Size of Property
> 10,000 SQ. FT. (NON-RESIDENTIAL)
> 50,000 SQ. FT. (MULTIFAMILY)
Property Type
COMMERCIAL & MULTIFAMILY
Required Information
12 MONTHS ENERGY AND BUILDING USE DATA
Phase II Building Performance
Standards
ENERGY AUDIT AND RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY
Benchmarking Due Date
MAY 1, ANNUALLY
EXEMPTIONS FROM BENCHMARKING
- The building has been sold and it is not possible to obtain complete energy use data for a year.
- There was a tenant turnover in the building.
- The building is vacant for prior calendar year.
- The building is less than 10,000 sq ft.
- The building has written approval from a city agency to be demolished.
BENCHMARKING ENFORCEMENT
For buildings of 50,000 square feet and greater, up to $100.00 per day for a maximum of 25 days in one twelve-month period for each building in violation. For buildings of 49,999 square feet or less, up to $50.00 per day for a maximum of 25 days in one twelve-month period for each building in violation.
PHASE II AUDIT REQUIREMENTS
Energy audit is required every 5 years for commercial buildings.
Each owner of a non-residential building must ensure the building receives an energy audit by a qualified energy professional every five years. The professional must hold one of the qualifications approved by the Department of Environment, and must examine the entire building including tenant-occupied spaces. An audit provides specific, actionable recommendations to save money by saving energy in the building, as well as rebates that may be available.
RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE:
100% Renewable Electricity for Commercial Buildings Ordinance:
San Francisco requires commercial buildings of 50,000 square feet or more to obtain all electricity from 100% renewable sources. The easiest way to comply is by subscribing to: CleanPowerSF SuperGreen, SFPUC Hetch Hetchy Power, or PG&E’s Solar Choice program. Direct Access electric service can comply.
Deadlines are based on the size of the building:
| Commercial Building Size | Must Transition to
Renewable Electricity by |
Documentation of Compliance
Will Be Due |
| 500,000 gross sq ft
or greater |
December 31, 2022 | April 2023 |
| 250,000 gross sq ft
or greater |
December 31, 2024 | April 2025 |
| 50,000 gross sq ft
or greater |
December 31, 2030 | April 2031 |
AS BENCHMARKING CONSULTANTS AND ESG REPORTING EXPERTS, WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO DEVELOP A BUILDING PERFORMANCE BASELINE FOR COMPLIANCE
The first step to the Miami Building Efficiency 305 compliance is benchmarking. Green Econome takes an accurate, efficient, and comprehensive approach to ENERGY STAR® benchmarking that ensures you receive meaningful data about the performance of your building for BE305 disclosure. Upon completing your report we submit it to the city and verify your compliance status.
