If your building isn’t BERDO‑ready, you could face steep penalties.
Boston BERDO compliance 2025 applies to non-residential buildings over 20,000 ft² and residential properties with 15+ units, requiring annual energy, water, and emissions filings that are updated annually under the city’s building performance ordinance. The May 15, 2025 reporting deadline has passed, and the city is now in the review phase.
Any mistakes, like missing emissions data, outdated verification, or late submissions, will trigger fines of $150–$300/day for reporting failures and $300–$1,000/day for emissions exceedances.
This article is for commercial property owners and managers in Boston who want to stay ahead of compliance and avoid paying BERDO penalties. Inside this article we share exactly who is subject to these rules, what annual updates are required, and what the consequences are for missing the deadlines including daily fines or public listing after a 30‑day notice.
We’ll share our BERDO audit checklist for Boston buildings, plus expert guidance to help you comply with BERDO Boston and protect your assets.
Who Must Comply with Boston BERDO 2025
BERDO applies to commercial buildings larger than 20,000 ft² and residential buildings with 15 or more units in Boston. Mixed-use properties that meet these thresholds are also included. If your property falls into these categories, you must file energy and emissions data annually.
NOTE: Exemptions are rare, and failure to comply leads to fines and public listing.
Key Reporting Requirements and Annual Deadlines
Each year, covered buildings must report:
- Energy and water use
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- and third-party verified emissions intensity data
For 2025, the May 15 deadline has already passed.
If you did submit, then all data must be accurate, complete, and aligned with the emissions thresholds for your building type. Outdated or unverified reports will result in daily fines.
What must be submitted:
- Site energy use and water consumption (previous calendar year)
- GHG emissions data
- Verification by a qualified auditor
- Evidence of compliance with emissions limits
Common Compliance Pitfalls to Avoid
Here are the most common mistakes that result in non-compliance:
- Missing or partial data submissions
- Submitting without third-party verification
- Using outdated benchmarking tools
- Failing to correct errors after the review notice
To prevent these mistakes you need proactive monitoring and internal documentation before the annual deadline. A BERDO tune-up audit helps catch issues early and align reporting with current standards.
BERDO Audit Checklist for Boston Buildings
This checklist ensures your data meets all BERDO requirements and emissions limits.
- ✅ Verify building square footage and category
- ✅ Collect whole-building energy and water data for prior year
- ✅ Calculate emissions intensity and compare to BERDO thresholds
- ✅ Schedule third-party verification with a BERDO-qualified auditor
- ✅ Upload data to the Portfolio Manager and submit to the City
- ✅ Confirm submission receipt and track compliance review status
If this loos like a lot (because it is), we can help. Our auditors specialize in BERDO audits that Boston properties require. We help property managers streamline their compliance efforts and avoid penalties.
FAQ: BERDO Compliance for 2025
- What happens if my building exceeds the emissions limit?
You may receive a notice of violation and face fines up to $1,000 per day after a 30-day cure period. An emissions reduction plan may be required. - Can I still submit if I missed the May 15 deadline?
Yes, but you’re likely already accruing fines. Act immediately by submitting all required data and scheduling a compliance audit. - Do I need a new audit each year?
Yes. Emissions verification must be updated annually using current year data and a third-party review. - How can I reduce my building’s emissions to avoid future penalties?
Energy retrofits, HVAC upgrades, and improved insulation are common measures. Our team can help build a tailored reduction plan. - What’s the benefit of booking a BERDO tune-up audit now?
You get ahead of compliance reviews, avoid unexpected penalties, and gain expert support to correct any data gaps.
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