Building Performance Standards
Building performance standards (BPS) are energy or emissions targets that existing buildings must meet over time to improve energy efficiency and reduce climate impacts. Washington State's new energy performance standards are an important start, but will not be enough to move Seattle's buildings to a clean energy future. The 2021 Climate Executive Order directed OSE to create legislation for carbon-based BPS for existing commercial and multifamily buildings 20,000 square feet and larger. Seattle is conducting an inclusive stakeholder engagement process now through June 2022.
Building Performance Standards Online Open House:
- June 16th from 12pm to 1:30pm: Join OSE on a zoom webinar for an update on work to date and highlights of stakeholder feedback received on developing a BPS policy. OSE will share the draft BPS policy framework for the regulations, the policy timeline, and take comments and questions on the draft policy framework. This 2nd open house is a follow-up to the April 5th event (see below). Register for June 16th webinar
Translation services are available upon request. Call (206) 233-7184 or email cleanbuildings@seattle.gov.
News & Updates:
- April 5, 2022 - Watch the recording of the 1st open house for background on BPS and the links between buildings, climate pollution, equity, and health. Or view the slide deck and Q & A summary.
- January 21, 2022 - Seattle joined the White House-led Building Performance Standards Coalition which is comprised of dozens of state and local governments that have committed to inclusively design and implement building performance policies and programs.
Learn More:
Building Performance Standards Policy Development
Learn why Seattle is developing a carbon-based building performance standards policy, keep up to date on the latest policy news, and learn how to share your views.
Clean Buildings for Washington
The Clean Buildings for Washington law, being implemented by the Washington State Department of Commerce, applies to all commercial buildings larger than 50,000 SF and includes an energy performance standard. Learn more and find resources to comply.
Seattle Clean Buildings Accelerator
The Accelerator will support under-resourced building owners and managers that have less capacity to meet the State of WA requirements and to reduce building emissions. Anticipated launch is spring 2022.