Data year 2025 Energy Benchmarking submissions were due on June 1, 2026. Buildings that remain noncompliant must create an account and complete their submission in the new Seattle Building & Energy Portal. Visit seattle.gov/building-and-energy-portal for information on the new compliance process and getting started with the Portal.
Energy Benchmarking
Attention: OSE Seeks Comments on Draft Energy Benchmarking Director's Rule 2026-01
The Office of Sustainability and Environment has published a draft Energy Benchmarking Director’s Rule for public comment. The proposed OSE Director’s Rule is an update to the existing Director’s Rule 2017-01 relating to Chapter 22.920 SMC.
- Draft Energy Benchmarking Director's Rule 2026-01 (Markup)
- Draft Energy Benchmarking Director's Rule 2026-01 (Plain)
- Summary of Proposed Changes
- Energy Benchmarking Director's Rule 2017-01
How to Comment
Interested persons may present written data, views, or arguments in regard to the proposed action by emailing Mike.Roos@seattle.gov with the subject header “Benchmarking DR Comments” by Monday November 23, 2026 at 5 p.m. or in writing to Mike Roos, Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment, PO Box 94729, Seattle, WA 98124, postmarked no later than November 23, 2026. Please reference relevant section names and page numbers in all comments.
Authority for promulgation of Director’s Rules is found in Section 3.14.970 of the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC). Rules are processed according to the Administrative Procedures contained in Section 3.02.030 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
Seattle's Energy Benchmarking Law (Seattle Municipal Code 22.920) requires owners of non-residential and multifamily buildings (greater than 20,000 square feet) to track energy performance and annually report to the City of Seattle. Owners must report each calendar year of benchmarking data by June 1st of the following year. See the Seattle Energy Benchmarking Fact Sheet for more information.
Check your data year 2025 compliance status via the Energy Benchmarking Compliance Lookup Tool. If your building has a compliance status of Not Submitted or Pending Revisions, further action is required to complete the compliance process in the new Seattle Building & Energy Portal.
The City of Seattle annually publishes building energy and emissions performance data from more than 3,700 of Seattle's largest nonresidential and multifamily properties representing more than 330 million square feet at data.seattle.gov and through the Seattle Energy Benchmarking Map to facilitate transparency in the market and spur demand for energy efficiency.
**Beware of Third-Party Benchmarking Communications**
Please be advised that communications currently circulating from soliciting third-party service providers may contain inaccurate information regarding compliance status, deadlines, and Seattle benchmarking program requirements. Official email communications from the City of Seattle regarding benchmarking compliance will be sent via a seattle.gov email address. Notification letters, warning letters, and Notices of Violation sent through the postal service will prominently feature City of Seattle branding and will not request payment for services to complete the benchmarking process.
Sign up to receive updates about the Energy Benchmarking program.