Chula Vista's Building Energy Saving Ordinance (BESO) requires commercial, industrial, and multifamily buildings 20,000 square feet or larger to track and report energy use. This guide covers compliance deadlines and how energy audits, efficiency upgrades, and renewables lower operational costs.
Chula Vista is taking significant steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency in its buildings through the Building Energy Saving Ordinance (BESO). This regulation requires large commercial, industrial, and multifamily buildings to annually benchmark their energy use and report data to the city.
Building owners must comply with this ordinance to avoid penalties while benefiting from lower energy costs, improved building performance, and enhanced sustainability. This guide outlines the key compliance requirements, deadlines, and strategies for achieving compliance.
BESO applies to:
Smaller buildings are currently exempt from the ordinance, but property owners should monitor regulatory updates for potential future changes.
Building owners must track and report their annual energy consumption using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, an industry-standard tool for benchmarking energy performance.
The process involves:
While BESO primarily focuses on benchmarking, property owners are encouraged to conduct energy audits to identify inefficiencies and implement cost-saving measures.
An energy audit typically includes:
Chula Vista will make energy performance data publicly available, encouraging transparency and promoting energy-efficient building practices. This allows tenants, investors, and the public to compare building energy use and incentivizes property owners to improve efficiency.
Building owners must submit benchmarking reports by May 20 each year.
Failure to comply with reporting requirements may result in fines, increased city oversight, and potential enforcement actions.
The first step toward compliance is collecting energy consumption data from utility providers and benchmarking building performance using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
Buildings with high energy use should schedule an energy audit to pinpoint inefficiencies and develop an action plan for improving energy performance.
Common energy efficiency upgrades include:
Chula Vista encourages businesses to adopt renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Building owners can:
Ensure benchmarking reports are submitted before the May 20 deadline to maintain compliance and avoid potential penalties.
Meeting BESO requirements offers numerous advantages beyond regulatory compliance.
Benchmarking helps identify energy waste, leading to cost-saving upgrades.
Energy-efficient properties attract higher-value tenants and investors.
Avoiding fines and penalties ensures a smooth operational process.
Demonstrating compliance with Chula Vista’s energy goals enhances corporate social responsibility.
Chula Vista provides financial incentives to support energy efficiency improvements, including:
Incentives from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) for energy-efficient lighting, HVAC, and building retrofits.
State-funded programs that offset the costs of installing solar energy systems.
A financing mechanism that allows building owners to fund energy efficiency upgrades through property tax assessments.
If your building falls under Chula Vista’s Building Energy Saving Ordinance, take immediate steps to ensure compliance:
By following these steps, building owners can ensure compliance, reduce operational costs, and contribute to Chula Vista’s sustainability goals.
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