Avoid fines. Start benchmarking now.
Many major cities across the US have imposed fines for not following benchmarking requirements. Additionally, in places like California, violations can carry a penalty of up to $2,000 for each day the violation has existed and continues to exist, for each category of missing data.
Register for benchmarking
Fill out the benchmarking registration form and create a Beacon account
Submit building and utility data
Add your buildings and connect your utilities to automate the benchmarking process.
Stay compliant
Beacon uploads data to ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® every month and keeps your buildings in compliance with state and local benchmarking laws.
What is benchmarking?
Benchmarking is collecting and measuring the current energy usage of a building and comparing it against historical energy usage, or comparing your building to buildings of a similar size and occupancy.
To avoid state fines and be compliant, benchmarking must be done through the ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager.
The ENERGY STAR® resource management tool enables you to benchmark the energy use of any type of building.
Benchmarking. Powered by Beacon.
Like TurboTax for your taxes, Beacon automates all of the benchmarking, regulatory, and compliance documentation so your buildings maintain state and city compliance.
California building owners
Beacon currently helps hospitals, schools, business parks, malls, museums, campuses, food and beverage companies, grocery stores, storage facilities, car dealerships, packaging and distribution centers, real estate developments, multi-family housing, and commercial buildings.
California building owners, have you received this letter?
The State of California requires owners of commercial and multifamily buildings larger than 50,000 square feet, or more than 16 units, to report energy usage data using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager. Beacon offers a white glove building benchmarking service for building owners and property managers.
"The civil penalty shall not be less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) for each category of data the person did not provide and for each day the violation has existed and continues to exist."
Avoid fines. Start benchmarking now.
Many major cities across the US have imposed fines for not following benchmarking requirements. Additionally, in places like California, violations can carry a penalty of up to $2,000 for each day the violation has existed and continues to exist, for each category of missing data.
Does your California city have unique benchmarking requirements?
Some cities in California have different requirements for benchmarking properties. Below are the specific requirements mandated by California.
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | June 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings All state buildings, owned or leased, must be benchmarked, regardless of size. | The civil penalty shall not be less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) for each category of data the person did not provide and for each day the violation has existed and continues to exist. |
| Berkeley | June 1st annual deadline | 15,000+ sq ft for municipal, commercial, residential, and multifamily buildings Energy Assessment due every 5 years or at time of sale for buildings under 25,000 sq ft | The instances of noncompliance will result in 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. |
| Brisbane | May 15th annual deadline | 2,000+ sq ft for public buildings and 100,000+ sq ft for commercial, multifamily, and industrial buildings Building Performance Standard or Energy Audit Requirement due every 5 years | $100 after 30 day notice. $200 after another 30 days. $500 after another 30 days and every 30 days after. |
| Chula Vista | May 20th annual deadline | All public city buildings and 20,000+ sq ft commercial, industrial, and multifamily properties Building Performance Standard or Energy Audit and Retro-Commissioning Study every 5 years | 20,000-49,999 GFA - up to $750 per incident; 50,000-99,999 GFA - up to $1,500 per incident; 100,000+ GFA - up to $2,250 per incident |
| Los Angeles | June 1st annual deadline | 7,500+ sq ft for public city buildings and 20,000+ sq. ft. for all other buildings Energy Assessment and/or Retro-Commissioning Study due every 5 years | Buildings that do not comply with the Existing Building Energy & Water Efficiency Program by the deadline will be publicly disclosed and may be charged a compounding fine. |
| San Diego | June 1st annual deadline | Public or commercial properties 50,000+ sq ft and mixed-use properties 50,000+ sq ft with 17 or more residential accounts
| The fines for non-compliance are up to $1,000. |
| San Francisco | May 1st annual deadline | 10,000+ sq ft for commercial and industrial buildings and 50,000+ sq ft for multifamily buildings Energy Audit every 5 years for commercial and industrial buildings. Large commercial buildings renewable electricity ordinance | Owners of buildings larger than 50,000 square feet are subject to $100/day fines for each day of noncompliance (up to a maximum of 25 days). Owners of buildings smaller than 50,000 square feet are subject to a $50/day fine (up to a maximum of 25 days). |
| San Jose | May 1st annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft Building Performance requirement, Energy Audit, or Retro-Commissioning Study every 5 years | Buildings 50,000 square feet and above may be fined $50 for each day of noncompliance, up to $5,000 per calendar year. |
State benchmarking requirements
Some cities, counties, and states have different requirements for benchmarking properties. Click on a state to view their specific requirements.
California
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | June 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings All state buildings, owned or leased, must be benchmarked, regardless of size. | The civil penalty shall not be less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) for each category of data the person did not provide and for each day the violation has existed and continues to exist. |
| Berkeley | June 1st annual deadline | 15,000+ sq ft for municipal, commercial, residential, and multifamily buildings Energy Assessment due every 5 years or at time of sale for buildings under 25,000 sq ft | The instances of noncompliance will result in 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. |
| Brisbane | May 15th annual deadline | 2,000+ sq ft for public buildings and 100,000+ sq ft for commercial, multifamily, and industrial buildings Building Performance Standard or Energy Audit Requirement due every 5 years | $100 after 30 day notice. $200 after another 30 days. $500 after another 30 days and every 30 days after. |
| Chula Vista | May 20th annual deadline | All public city buildings and 20,000+ sq ft commercial, industrial, and multifamily properties Building Performance Standard or Energy Audit and Retro-Commissioning Study every 5 years | 20,000-49,999 GFA - up to $750 per incident; 50,000-99,999 GFA - up to $1,500 per incident; 100,000+ GFA - up to $2,250 per incident |
| Los Angeles | June 1st annual deadline | 7,500+ sq ft for public city buildings and 20,000+ sq. ft. for all other buildings Energy Assessment and/or Retro-Commissioning Study due every 5 years | Buildings that do not comply with the Existing Building Energy & Water Efficiency Program by the deadline will be publicly disclosed and may be charged a compounding fine. |
| San Diego | June 1st annual deadline | Public or commercial properties 50,000+ sq ft and mixed-use properties 50,000+ sq ft with 17 or more residential accounts | The fines for non-compliance are up to $1,000. |
| San Francisco | May 1st annual deadline | 10,000+ sq ft for commercial and industrial buildings and 50,000+ sq ft for multifamily buildings Energy Audit every 5 years for commercial and industrial buildings. Large commercial buildings renewable electricity ordinance | Owners of buildings larger than 50,000 square feet are subject to $100/day fines for each day of noncompliance (up to a maximum of 25 days). Owners of buildings smaller than 50,000 square feet are subject to a $50/day fine (up to a maximum of 25 days). |
| San Jose | May 1st annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft Building Performance requirement, Energy Audit, or Retro-Commissioning Study every 5 years | Buildings 50,000 square feet and above may be fined $50 for each day of noncompliance, up to $5,000 per calendar year. |
Colorado
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | June 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings All state buildings, owned or leased, must be benchmarked, regardless of size. | A building owner that fails to meet the building performance standards by the targeted deadline is subject to a fine up to $2,000 for a first violation and up to $5,000 per month for each subsequent violation. |
| Aspen | June 1st annual deadline | 15,000+ sq ft for municipal, commercial, residential, and multifamily buildings Energy Assessment due every 5 years or at time of sale for buildings under 25,000 sq ft | The fines for noncompliance are $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense, and any additional offenses will require a mandatory Court appearance with fines being determined by the Court. |
| Boulder | May 15th annual deadline | 2,000+ sq ft for public buildings and 100,000+ sq ft for commercial, multifamily, and industrial buildings Building Performance Standard or Energy Audit Requirement due every 5 years | The instances of noncompliance will result in fines of $0.0025 per square foot per day (up to $1,000 per day). |
| Denver | May 20th annual deadline | All public city buildings and 20,000+ sq ft commercial, industrial, and multifamily properties Building Performance Standard or Energy Audit and Retro-Commissioning Study every 5 years | Noncompliance with building performance standards targets can result in steep fines. |
| Fort Collins | June 1st annual deadline | 7,500+ sq ft for public city buildings and 20,000+ sq. ft. for all other buildings Energy Assessment and/or Retro-Commissioning Study due every 5 years | Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to $2,000 and possible court summons. |
| Longmont | June 1st annual deadline | Public or commercial properties 50,000+ sq ft and mixed-use properties 50,000+ sq ft with 17 or more residential accounts | No specific fines have been established |
Florida
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | June 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings All state buildings, owned or leased, must be benchmarked, regardless of size. | Fines for non-compliance are $250 per day for the first offense & $500 per day for a repeat violation, in Miami only. |
| Miami | June 1st annual deadline | 15,000+ sq ft for municipal, commercial, residential, and multifamily buildings Energy Assessment due every 5 years or at time of sale for buildings under 25,000 sq ft | The fines for non-compliance are $250 per day for the first offense & $500 per day for a repeat violation. |
| Miami-Dade County | May 15th annual deadline | 2,000+ sq ft for public buildings and 100,000+ sq ft for commercial, multifamily, and industrial buildings Building Performance Standard or Energy Audit Requirement due every 5 years | No specific fines have been established |
| Orlando | May 20th annual deadline | All public city buildings and 20,000+ sq ft commercial, industrial, and multifamily properties Building Performance Standard or Energy Audit and Retro-Commissioning Study every 5 years | No specific fines have been established |
Georgia
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | June 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings State buildings must meet energy reduction targets | No specific fines have been established at state level |
| Atlanta | July 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for commercial, multifamily, and municipal buildings Energy audit or retro-commissioning required every 10 years | $1,000 fine plus $200 per day for continued non-compliance |
Hawaii
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | June 1st annual deadline | 10,000+ sq ft for public buildings All state facilities must benchmark energy and water usage | No specific fines have been established |
| Honolulu | April 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Energy audits required every 5 years | Up to $1,000 per violation |
Illinois
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | June 1st annual deadline | 10,000+ sq ft for state-owned buildings State facilities over 10,000 sq ft must be benchmarked | No specific fines established at state level |
| Chicago | June 30th annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial, institutional, and residential buildings Energy Assessment or Retro-commissioning required every 4 years | $1,000 to $5,000 for the first violation, doubling for subsequent violations |
| Evanston | June 30th annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft for all buildings Building Performance Standards required every 4 years | $100 per day of violation |
Iowa
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | June 1st annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft for public buildings State-owned buildings must achieve specific energy reduction targets | No specific fines have been established |
| Des Moines | May 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Building Performance Standards required every 5 years | $500 per violation |
Indiana
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | June 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for state-owned buildings Energy reduction targets for state facilities | No specific fines have been established |
Kentucky
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | June 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for state-owned buildings State facilities must meet energy reduction goals | No specific fines have been established |
| Louisville | June 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Energy audits required every 10 years | $500 per month of non-compliance |
Louisiana
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | June 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for state buildings State facilities must benchmark energy usage | No specific fines have been established |
| New Orleans | May 15th annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Energy audits required every 5 years | $100 per day of non-compliance |
Maryland
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | June 1st annual deadline | 35,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings State facilities must meet energy reduction targets | Up to $1,000 per violation |
| Montgomery County | June 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Building Energy Performance Standards required | Class A violation with fines up to $500 for first offense and $750 for repeat offenses |
Maine
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | June 1st annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft for state buildings State facilities must meet energy reduction goals | No specific fines have been established |
| Portland | May 15th annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Energy audits required every 5 years | $50 per day of non-compliance |
Massachusetts
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | June 30th annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft for commercial, multifamily, and industrial buildings All state-owned buildings must be benchmarked. Building Performance Standards required every 5 years | The fines for non-compliance are up to $150 per day. |
| Boston | May 15th annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft for commercial, industrial buildings, and multifamily buildings with at least 15 units. Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) requirements | Failure to comply with the benchmarking ordinance will result in fines ranging from $150-$300 per violation, based on the size and type of building. Fines can be issued per day, with maximum fines of $3,000 per year. |
| Cambridge | May 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings with at least 50 units. 10,000+ sq. ft for public buildings. Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO) requirements | The first instance of a violation will result in a warning, subsequent violations will receive fines of $300 per day. |
| Chelsea | June 30th annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft for commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings with at least 20 units. All public city buildings. | The fines for non-compliance are up to $150 per day. |
| Lexington | May 15th annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings. All public city properties. | The fines for non-compliance are up to $150 per day. |
| Newton | September 15th annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft for all non-residential buildings. All Residential buildings with 15 units or more. | The fines for non-compliance are up to $150 per day. |
Michigan
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | June 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for state buildings State facilities must benchmark energy usage | No specific fines have been established |
| Ann Arbor | June 1st annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Building Performance Standards required every 5 years | $25 per day of non-compliance |
Minnesota
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | June 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for public buildings State-owned buildings must achieve specific energy reduction targets | No specific fines established |
| Minneapolis | June 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial, multifamily, and public buildings Energy evaluations required every 3 years | $200 fine plus $50 per day of non-compliance |
| St. Paul | June 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Energy audits required every 5 years | Up to $1,000 per violation |
Missouri
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | June 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for state buildings State facilities must meet energy reduction goals | No specific fines have been established |
| Kansas City | May 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Energy assessments required every 5 years | $500 per violation |
| St. Louis | April 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial, multifamily, and municipal buildings Building Energy Performance Standards required | $500 per violation plus $100 per day of non-compliance |
New Jersey
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | October 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for commercial buildings State facilities must meet energy reduction targets | Up to $5,000 for first violation |
| Hoboken | May 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Energy audits required every 10 years | $100 per day of non-compliance |
New York
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | May 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for commercial, multifamily, and industrial buildings All state buildings must be benchmarked regardless of size. Building Performance Standards (BPS) requirement every five years | Failure to comply may result in penalties of up to $5,000 per violation |
| New York City | May 1st annual deadline | 10,000+ sq ft for public buildings and 50,000+ sq ft for commercial, multifamily, and industrial buildings (excluding condos) Building Energy Efficiency Rating Label (disclosed annually). Building Performance Standard (BPS) requirement every six years | $500 penalty for missing the May 1 deadline, additional penalties of $500 each for missing quarterly deadlines, with a maximum of $2,000 in fines |
| Town of Bedford | June 1st annual deadline | All residential rental properties are required to benchmark annually | Minimum fine of $250 and a maximum fine of $5,000, or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense |
Nevada
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | June 1st annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft for state buildings State facilities must benchmark energy usage | No specific fines have been established |
| Las Vegas | May 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Energy audits required every 7 years | $1,000 per violation |
Ohio
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | June 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for state buildings State facilities must meet energy reduction goals | No specific fines have been established |
| Cincinnati | June 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Building Performance Standards required | $100 per day of non-compliance |
| Cleveland | June 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Energy audits required every 5 years | $50 per day of non-compliance |
Oregon
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | April 1st annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft for commercial buildings State facilities must meet energy reduction targets | Civil penalty up to $1,000 per violation |
| Portland | April 22nd annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft for commercial buildings Building Performance Standards required | $500 per violation |
Pennsylvania
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | June 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for state buildings State facilities must benchmark energy usage | No specific fines have been established |
| Philadelphia | June 30th annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Building tune-ups required every 5 years | $300 per violation plus $100 per day of non-compliance |
| Pittsburgh | June 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial, multifamily, and municipal buildings Building Performance Standards required | $500 to $1,000 per violation |
Rhode Island
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | June 1st annual deadline | 15,000+ sq ft for public buildings State facilities must meet energy reduction targets | No specific fines have been established |
| Providence | May 15th annual deadline | 10,000+ sq ft for municipal buildings and 20,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Building Performance Standards required | $100 per day of non-compliance |
Texas
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | June 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for state buildings State facilities must benchmark energy usage | No specific fines have been established |
| Austin | June 1st annual deadline | 10,000+ sq ft for commercial buildings Energy audits required every 10 years | Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $500 |
| Dallas | June 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Building Performance Standards required | $500 per violation |
Utah
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | June 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for state buildings State facilities must meet energy reduction goals | No specific fines have been established |
| Salt Lake City | May 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Energy assessments required every 5 years | $500 per violation |
Washington
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | June 1st annual deadline | Tier 1 buildings (220,000+ sq ft) beginning June 2026 Energy Management Plan and Building Performance Standard Requirement | Maximum penalty of $5,000 plus daily amount equal to $1.00 per square foot of gross floor area per year, not to exceed 18 months of accrued penalty |
| Seattle | June 1st annual deadline | 20,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Building Tune-Up every 5 years for commercial buildings | Properties between 20,000 and 50,000 square feet: $2,000. Properties greater than 50,000 square feet: $4,000 |
Wisconsin
| Area | Deadline | Requirements | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | June 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for state buildings State facilities must benchmark energy usage | No specific fines have been established |
| Madison | June 1st annual deadline | 25,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Building Performance Standards required | $50 per day of non-compliance |
| Milwaukee | June 1st annual deadline | 50,000+ sq ft for commercial and multifamily buildings Energy audits required every 5 years | $1,000 per violation |