WA Tier 2 Clean Buildings Law: What You Need to Know
Tier 2 buildings (20,001–50,000 sq ft) must benchmark and prepare O&M and EMP plans before July 1, 2026. Qualifying early can mean zero out-of-pocket compliance. Thanks to the Tier 2 Early Adopter Incentive. Don’t wait until the rush.
Even though final compliance isn’t due until 2027, your documentation and systems must be live a year prior. That means 2025–2026 is your prep window. Getting started now ensures you’ll meet requirements and access all available incentives, before the $150M Tier 2 fund runs dry.
🛠️ Energy Audit Deadlines: Who’s On The Clock
Time is running out for audits in Los Angeles and New York, while San Jose and San Francisco move into stricter phases in 2026. Delaying audit prep means tight windows, rushed work, and fewer qualified vendors. VertPro® is already locking in audit calendars across the top 10 U.S. metros.
Cities are starting to publicly flag non-compliance and issue fines, especially in markets like LA, where EBEWE violations can hit $5,000+ per building. Meanwhile, San Francisco and San Jose are increasing enforcement for buildings that miss audit cycles or fail to show improvement post-benchmarking. Working with a proactive partner early means you avoid emergency compliance work that eats up your NOI.
🧱 BPS Compliance: The New Energy Frontier
Cities are no longer asking “Did you file?” they’re asking, “Did your building improve?” Boston, DC, and Colorado are raising the bar with Building Performance Standards tied to measurable results, not just reporting. Fines are now tied to performance gaps, not just missed paperwork.
This shift marks a turning point for compliance. For example, Boston’s BERDO 2.0 requires properties to actively reduce emissions year over year, or face increasing penalties. In Colorado, buildings must reduce EUI over time or submit alternative compliance pathways. The message is clear: it’s not enough to track performanc, you must improve it. Knowing your building’s projected gap in advance can help you prioritize the right upgrades and unlock incentive funds early.
Why VertPro® Is Still the Trusted Compliance Leader
Working with the wrong compliance partner can cost you thousands in penalties, delays, and headaches. VertPro® helps you avoid all of it:
- One Dashboard: Benchmarking, audits, and reporting in one place
- Local Expertise: Compliance support in 50+ cities & states
- Human Help: Real support—not just software
- 8,000+ Audits Completed
- Compliance That Pays: ROI-focused planning that improves NOI
🎃 Bonus: Avoid Scary Building Surprises
Energy vampires, phantom loads, and zombie filings are real. Whether you’re prepping for cold weather or new BPS laws, seasonal tune-ups and data audits can reduce waste and avoid compliance nightmares. Just because your building passed last year doesn’t mean it’s safe this year.
The real horror stories come from buildings that assumed they were compliant, only to find outdated filings, unverified data, or incomplete audits. These invisible issues turn into fines, tenant complaints, and NOI losses overnight. Our team performs free compliance health checks to catch the ghosts in your machine before they scare off your budget.
