Information and Resources for CBPS & BEPS

Washington Clean Building Performance Standards

The Washington Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS) is a statewide law that requires large commercial and multifamily buildings to meet energy performance targets over time. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and lower long term operating costs in the building sector, which is one of Washington’s largest sources of emissions.

It was created through HB 1257 (Washington 2019 Clean Buildings Act), passed by the Washington Legislature in 2019 and implemented by the Washington State Department of Commerce.

What owners must do

Owners must bring buildings into compliance by meeting an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) target for their building type.

Key steps usually include:

• Benchmarking energy use
• Implementing energy efficiency upgrades
• Improving HVAC systems and controls
• Commissioning building systems
• Submitting documentation to Commerce

Many buildings comply through retro-commissioning, lighting upgrades, controls optimization, and HVAC improvements rather than full mechanical replacement.

Compliance Deadline

Tier 2 covered buildings reporting schedule:

• July 1, 2027 – All multifamily residential buildings more than 20,000 sq. ft

PSE can help with compliance

Their Clean Buildings Accelerator program unpacks the complex law, meets you where you’re at with your energy use, and teaches you how to comply and go beyond through a hands-on approach using your own building(s).

Best part: there's no cost to participate in the Accelerator. It starts with enrolling.

To participate in the Clean Buildings Accelerator program:

• Your building(s) must be 50,000 or more square feet and be subject to the Clean Buildings Law.
• Your buildings(s) must use PSE electricity and/or natural gas, or you must be a Seattle City Light electric customer.
• Enroll one to three qualifying buildings.
• Provide at least one designated energy champion to coordinate communications between your business and PSE.
• Outside contractors and partners are welcome.

Seattle's Building Emissions Performance Standards

Seattle's Building Emissions Performance Standards (BEPS) requires nonresidential and multifamily buildings larger than 20,000 square feet to meet progressively stronger greenhouse gas emissions targets over the next two decades. Covered buildings must eventually reach net-zero emissions by 2041–2050. 

What owners must do

• BEPS phases in over time. By 2027–2030 (depending on building size), building owners must have a Qualified Person conduct Benchmarking Verification. This ensures data accuracy and supplements annual Benchmarking. 
• By 2027–2030, a building’s Qualified Person must submit a Greenhouse Gas Report that documents upcoming emissions targets and shows how a building owner plans to comply.
• By 2031–2035, building owners must meet the initial emissions targets or use an alternative compliance path. To get an early estimate of your building’s target for the first compliance interval, view the Seattle Benchmarking Map.

Compliance Deadline

1. Initial Reporting Phase (Benchmarking Verification + GHG Report)

This is the first required action.

• 90,000+ sq ft: due October 1, 2027

• 50,001–90,000 sq ft: due October 1, 2028

• 30,001–50,000 sq ft: due October 1, 2029

• 20,001–30,000 sq ft: due October 1, 2030

This is when owners must:

• Verify energy data with a qualified professional

• Submit a GHG Report

• Show a plan to meet future targets

2. Actual Compliance (Meet Emissions Targets)

This is when buildings must actually hit the greenhouse gas limits (GHGI).

• 220,000+ sq ft: must comply by 2031

• 90,001–220,000 sq ft: 2032

• 50,001–90,000 sq ft: 2033

• 30,001–50,000 sq ft: 2034

• 20,001–30,000 sq ft: 2035

After that, buildings must continue meeting stricter targets every 5 years.

Get Free Technical Support from the Office of Sustainability & Environment

Offered by the City of Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE), the Seattle Building Emissions Navigator is a free technical support and training program for building owners and managers to meet the requirements of the Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standard (Seattle BEPS) and the State of Washington Clean Buildings Performance Standard (WA CBPS) laws. Program offerings include virtual and in-person group training, virtual drop-in hours, emissions reduction planning for select cohort members, and online resources for all audiences. Learn more about group training opportunities and how to sign up at the Get Support page.

WMFHA Advocacy & Engagement on Clean Building Standards

The Washington Multi-Family Housing Association (WMFHA) has been actively engaged on the state’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard since its introduction in 2019 through HB 1257.

From the outset, WMFHA participated in a broad coalition alongside NAIOP Washington State, AWB, Washington Realtors, BIAW, Master Builders Association, BOMA, and ICSC. As originally introduced, the legislation raised significant concerns for housing providers and commercial building owners due to potential compliance costs and operational challenges. Through sustained coalition advocacy, the bill was substantially improved prior to passage.

Following adoption of the Clean Buildings Act, WMFHA remained engaged through the rulemaking process led by the Washington State Department of Commerce. This included participation in stakeholder workshops, public comment periods, and a technical task force focused on implementation. Throughout this process, WMFHA worked to ensure policymakers and agency staff understood the real-world financial and operational impacts associated with compliance, particularly for existing multifamily housing.

WMFHA has also supported incentive-based approaches to help offset compliance costs. For example, the state established an Early Adopter Incentive Program providing funding for buildings that met performance targets ahead of schedule. These types of programs help reduce the financial burden on housing providers while advancing the state’s energy goals.

As the policy has evolved, WMFHA has continued to advocate for practical implementation timelines and flexibility. Most recently, WMFHA supported HB 1543 (2025), which extended certain compliance deadlines and incorporated more workable, business-friendly metrics as the program transitions into active compliance.

Looking ahead, WMFHA anticipates continued engagement as Tier 2 standards are applied more broadly to multifamily housing. As compliance costs become clearer, there may be opportunities to revisit elements of the program to ensure alignment with housing affordability goals, particularly as state leaders place increased emphasis on housing supply and cost pressures.