Resources/Regulations
activeState of Washington

WA Clean Buildings Act

Washington State Clean Buildings Performance Standard (HB 1257)

Overview

Applies To
Tier 1: buildings over 50,000 sqft; Tier 2: buildings 20,000-49,999 sqft
Building Size Threshold
20,000 sqft (Tier 2); 50,000 sqft (Tier 1)
Building Types
Commercial, multifamily residential, institutional, government
Effective Date
2021 (Tier 1); 2022 expansion (Tier 2)
Jurisdiction
State of Washington
State
Washington
Current Status

Tier 1 compliance phased by building size from June 2026 to June 2028. Tier 2 buildings (20,000-49,999 sqft) must benchmark and create energy plans by June 2027.

Key Deadlines

June 1, 2026

Tier 1 compliance for buildings over 220,000 sqft

June 1, 2027

Tier 1 compliance for buildings 90,001-220,000 sqft; Tier 2 benchmarking due

June 1, 2028

Tier 1 compliance for buildings 50,001-90,000 sqft

Penalties & Enforcement

Penalty

Tier 1: $5,000/year + $1/sqft; Tier 2: $0.30/sqft

Tier 1: up to $5,000/year + up to $1/sqft/year (max 18 months accrued). Tier 2: up to $0.30/sqft per 5-year compliance period

Compliance Requirements

Annual energy benchmarking via ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
Meet energy performance targets by building type
Implement energy management plan and operations/maintenance program
Tier 2: benchmark, create energy management plan, implement O&M program

Data Required

12 months of energy consumption data (electricity, gas, etc.)
Building gross floor area and use type
Energy management plan documentation
Operations and maintenance program records

How to Submit

Submission Method

Washington State Department of Commerce online portal

Submission Format

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager; Washington Commerce reporting forms

Official Resources

Official State of Washington Resource
https://www.commerce.wa.gov/growing-the-economy/energy/buildings/

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