California City Building Energy Ordinances
Several California cities have enacted local building energy ordinances that go beyond state law — covering smaller buildings, requiring more frequent audits, and imposing higher penalties. Your compliance obligations depend on where your building is located.
City-by-City Compliance Overview
| City | Ordinance | Threshold | Max Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | LA EBEWE | 20,000+ sq ft | $202/day + 250% late fee |
| San Diego | Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance | 50,000+ sq ft (phasing to 20,000+) | Up to $1,000/day |
| Long Beach | Building Energy Benchmarking Program | 25,000+ sq ft | Varies |
| Santa Monica | Sustainable City Plan / Building Energy Ordinance | Varies by use type | Varies |
| Berkeley | Building Energy Saving Ordinance (BESO) | Residential 5+ units; Commercial varies | Varies |
| San Francisco | Existing Commercial Buildings Energy Performance Ordinance | 10,000+ sq ft | Up to $5,000/year |
Annual benchmarking + ASHRAE Level II audit every 5 years + retro-commissioning
Annual energy benchmarking and disclosure. Phase 2 expanding coverage to smaller buildings.
Annual energy benchmarking required. Lower threshold than statewide AB 802.
Energy benchmarking and disclosure requirements. Additional sustainability standards for new construction.
Energy audits required at point of sale or lease. Disclosure of audit results to buyers/tenants.
Annual benchmarking, energy audits, and retro-commissioning. One of the strictest local ordinances in California.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Many California cities have enacted local building energy ordinances that go beyond the statewide AB 802 and Title 24 requirements. Los Angeles, San Diego, Long Beach, Santa Monica, Berkeley, and San Francisco all have local programs with different thresholds, requirements, and penalties.
Your building's compliance obligations are determined by the city or jurisdiction where the building is located. A building in the City of Los Angeles is subject to LA EBEWE in addition to statewide AB 802. A building in unincorporated Los Angeles County is only subject to AB 802. GRD Consulting can identify all applicable regulations for your specific property during a free assessment.
Yes. A building in the City of Los Angeles, for example, is subject to both AB 802 (statewide, 50,000+ sq ft) and LA EBEWE (city-level, 20,000+ sq ft). If the building is 25,000 sq ft, it is only subject to LA EBEWE — not AB 802 — but must still comply with the city ordinance.
Generally yes. City ordinances are enacted specifically because local governments want to go beyond state minimums. LA EBEWE, for example, covers smaller buildings (20,000 sq ft vs. AB 802's 50,000 sq ft) and adds a mandatory 5-year audit cycle that state law does not require.
Not Sure Which Regulations Apply to Your Building?
GRD Consulting identifies every applicable state and city regulation for your specific property — and tells you exactly what your compliance obligations and fine exposure are.
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