Philly property owners have no idea that 2026 is bringing them daily fines.
How? Philadelphia’s Building Energy Performance Policy (BEPP), commercial and multifamily buildings over 50,000 sq ft are now required to submit energy reports and benchmarking data by June 30, 2026…..or face $300 per day fines (that’s $108,000/year).
This rule applies to OVER 1,450 buildings, totaling over 385 million square feet. If you manage or own one of these, understanding Philadelphia benchmarking compliance is the ONLY way to prevent expensive daily fines.
Philadelphia’s 2026 requires early planning. Wait too long and you’ll face rushed submissions, overlooked errors, and hefty penalties. That’s why this article is going to show you how to comply with Philadelphia energy law, including a ready-to-use Philadelphia benchmarking checklist 2026.
It will also show you how to get expert help to prevent the penalties Philadelphia benchmarking brings.
Key Compliance Deadlines for Philadelphia 2026
Staying on top of the city’s compliance schedule is the easiest way to prevent fines. Here are some key dates you need to know.
- June 30, 2026: Final deadline to submit both benchmarking data and energy tune-up reports for covered buildings.
- 12-month data requirement: Benchmarking must include full calendar-year 2025 utility data.
- No grace period: Late filings trigger immediate $300/day fines.
Use these dates to stay ahead of the curve.
What Properties Are Affected?
Philadelphia’s Building Energy Performance Policy affects multiple property types. Including…
- Commercial and multifamily buildings over 50,000 sq ft.
- Covered spaces more than 385 million sq ft citywide.
- A variety of properties such as office towers, multi-family residential, schools, hospitals, retail centers.
If you own or manage one of these you must comply.
How to Comply: Step-by-Step Benchmarking Checklist
Use this checklist to keep your building on track.
- Identify your property’s status: Confirm your square footage and occupancy type.
- Gather 2025 energy data: Start organizing your electric, gas, and water usage records now.
- Hire a certified professional: A licensed engineer or approved consultant is required for the tune-up report.
- Submit through Portfolio Manager: Use the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® tool to upload benchmarking data.
- File before the deadline: Submit both benchmarking and tune-up reports by June 30, 2026.
Early planning simplifies the process and gives you time to fix errors before filing.
Common Mistakes That Trigger $300/Day Penalties
Below are the common missteps that result in you paying daily fines. Use this as a checklist to protect your property and prevent fine enforcement.
- Missing utility data: Incomplete or incorrect energy usage records will delay submission.
- Wrong property classification: Benchmarking a property under the wrong category can lead to rejection.
- Using uncertified professionals: Reports not signed by approved tune-up specialists are non-compliant.
- Ignoring updates: Regulatory changes may occur—stay informed throughout 2025 and 2026.
Prevention is cheaper than a penalty.
FAQ: Philadelphia Benchmarking Compliance 2026
- What is the Philadelphia Building Energy Performance Policy (BEPP)?
BEPP requires large commercial and multifamily buildings to submit benchmarking and energy tune-up reports. It aims to improve energy efficiency citywide. - How much are the fines for non-compliance?
Failure to file by June 30, 2026, results in $300 per day in fines until both reports are accepted. - What qualifies as a “covered building”?
Any building in Philadelphia that’s over 50,000 sq ft and used for commercial or multifamily purposes. - What’s the difference between benchmarking and an energy tune-up?
Benchmarking reports energy usage; the tune-up identifies operational improvements. Both are required to stay compliant. - Can I file this myself, or do I need professional help?
Benchmarking can be self-managed, but tune-up reports must be completed by certified professionals. Most building owners benefit from expert compliance support.
Act Now or Pay Later: Get Your Philadelphia Benchmarking Filed Before $300/Day Fines Hit
If your building is over 50,000 square feet you need to get compliant in 2026. If you don’t get compliant, expect to pay $300 per day in fines.
To help you prevent that we outlined the critical deadlines, what properties are covered, how to comply step by step, and the mistakes that cost owners thousands.
Remember, there’s no room for delay. Your window to get compliant, fix errors, gather data, and file correctly is shrinking. Don’t let a preventable mistake turn into a money drain.
Not comfortable doing this yourself? No problem. We can help. Book your free consultation now—lock in expert help and get your Philadelphia benchmarking report done before the fines start piling up.
VertPro.com offers tools and services to help property owners and managers improve building energy efficiency and meet regulatory standards. Whether you’re looking for instant pricing on energy audits, need support with benchmark compliance, or want to explore available building upgrade options, VertPro® provides user–friendly technology solutions to simplify the process. Their platform helps ensure adherence to over 60 Energy
Benchmarking and Efficiency Laws across the country.
