Coverage screen
Compare building use and gross floor area with the current Commerce Tier 2 definition and flag questions for the state.
Free Washington Tier 2 readiness help.
If your building may be covered by Washington's Clean Buildings Performance Standard, we can help you understand the Tier 2 steps, organize the records, and prepare for the July 1, 2027 deadline—at no cost.
Independent public-interest initiative · Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Washington State Department of Commerce · Official requirements control
Confirm the buildinguse · floor area · state record
Organize the workbenchmarking · O&M · energy plan
Prepare to reportPortal access · documentation · next steps
20,000+ sq ftgeneral Tier 2 starting threshold
July 1, 2027first reporting deadline
Every five yearsreporting schedule after 2027
Know what applies and what to prepare.
Commerce identifies three core Tier 2 requirements: benchmark energy use, implement an operations and maintenance program, and create an energy management plan. We help with the practical readiness work around those requirements.
Building record check
Organize ownership, address, state notification, floor area, parking, activity types, and Portal access details.
Benchmarking readiness
Map meters, fuels, account holders, missing data, and Portfolio Manager inputs before relying on an energy-use calculation.
O&M checklist
Build an equipment, systems, maintenance, and responsibility inventory using current Commerce tools as the reference.
Energy plan outline
Structure goals, roles, energy history, target information, and operating practices for an owner-reviewed energy management plan.
Portal and handoff prep
Identify the documents, access questions, state support requests, and professional work that remain before reporting.
Tier 2 is a reporting and planning standard.
These are orientation summaries, not a building-specific determination. Confirm current requirements with Commerce.
Likely coverageWashington Tier 2
More than 20,000 and not more than 50,000 sq ft of covered uses
- Combines multifamily, nonresidential, hotel, motel, and dormitory floor areas
- Excludes parking-garage area
- Also includes multifamily buildings at or above 50,000 sq ft
- Federal and federally recognized tribal buildings are excluded
Current workDue July 1, 2027
Benchmark, operate, plan, and report
- Benchmark and track building energy use
- Implement an operations and maintenance program
- Create an energy management plan
- Identify the energy-use intensity target; Tier 2 does not currently have to meet a performance metric
One building, one useful next step at a time.
- 1
Share the starting facts
An address, approximate floor area, main uses, and any Commerce notification are enough to begin.
- 2
Receive a readiness map
We summarize likely coverage, the 2027 deadline, missing records, official sources, and the next responsible person.
- 3
Organize the owner's work
We help assemble benchmarking, O&M, energy-plan, and Portal-readiness materials without taking over the owner's responsibility.
- 4
Escalate the right questions
We flag state determinations, authorizations, engineering, audits, and other work that must go to Commerce or an appropriately qualified professional.
DataPeopleImpact
Clear records should lead to practical action.
A Sustainable Future began with student-led work on resource consumption in schools. Our building support keeps that approach: make the information understandable, make the first steps accessible, and keep the owner connected to official guidance.
Have a Commerce letter, a meter list, or just an address?
Start where you are. We'll help turn it into an owner-ready checklist.
A Sustainable Future is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Washington State Department of Commerce, ENERGY STAR, or any utility. We provide educational and administrative readiness support, not legal, engineering, audit, certification, or guaranteed compliance services. Official requirements and Commerce decisions control. ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is a U.S. EPA tool; access it at energystar.gov.