Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS)

Tier 1 covered buildings reporting schedule:

• June 1, 2026 – More than 220,000 sq. ft.
• June 1, 2027 – More than 90,000 sq. ft. but less than 220,001 sq. ft.
• June 1, 2028 – More than 50,000 sq. ft. but less than 90,001 sq. ft.

Tier 2 covered buildings reporting schedule:

• July 1, 2027 – More than 20,000 sq. ft. but less than 50,001 sq. ft. and all multifamily residential buildings more than 20,000 sq. ft.

The compliance deadline for Tier 1 buildings greater than 220,000 square feet is June 1, 2026.

If you’re the owner of a building subject to the Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS) and have not yet started the compliance process, please begin now and develop a plan to meet the CBPS requirements for your building. Buildings that don’t meet the requirements by the compliance deadline may face a penalty. Check out the FAQ for Tier 1a (220K+ SF).

• Is your building exempt? If the building meets at least one of the exemption criteria listed in Section Z4.1 of the CBPS, it’s not too late to apply for exemption. Apply for exemption through the Clean Buildings Portal.
• If you submitted compliance applications, when should you expect a response? Commerce is experiencing an increase in application submittals, and we’ll review applications in the order they are received. We will be prioritizing applications from buildings greater than 220,000 square feet.
• Are you interested in applying for one of the newly proposed compliance pathways or exemptions? We’ll announce when applications open in the Clean Buildings Bulletin. To receive updates, please visit www.commerce.wa.gov/cbps to subscribe or complete the interest form to be notified directly.
• Are you interested in applying for an extension? Building owners can apply for an extension up to six months before or after the compliance deadline. Extension applications won’t be accepted until the new extension rules are codified. We’ll announce when the extension application becomes available through the Clean Buildings Bulletin. To receive updates, please visit www.commerce.wa.gov/cbps to subscribe or complete the interest form to be notified.
• Penalties: Commerce is obligated by law to assess administrative penalties if a building owner doesn’t obtain an approved compliance or exemption application or receive an extension. But our primary goal is to foster compliance, not impose penalties. We’re committed to supporting building owners throughout the process and facilitating progress toward meeting CBPS requirements. Buildings receiving an approved extension within six months of the compliance date will not be penalized if they meet compliance within the extension timeframe. Building owners can choose to pay penalties in lieu of compliance. Penalties will be assessed at the maximum amount of $5,000 plus $1.50 per square foot of gross floor area.
• When will penalties be issued? Commerce hasn’t established a timeline for sending the Notice of Violation and Opportunity to Correct (NOVC – the first notice) yet. These notifications are intended to encourage building owners to act now in submitting compliance or exemption applications or apply for an extension instead of being penalized. Our priority is to ensure building owners have the opportunity to meet the standard.
• Why start now? If a building owner doesn’t receive an extension or does not obtain an approved compliance or extension application, administrative penalties will be assessed through Notice of Violation and Intent to Assess Administrative Penalties (NOVI) (second notice).
  • Responding to the NOVI with a noncompliance mitigation plan in accordance with the standard may reduce fines. Please refer to Section Z5 of the standard for details about the assessment of administrative penalties and the appeals process for Tier 1 covered buildings.
• Compliance support: Commerce Clean Buildings staff is here to help building owners define a path to compliance and identify available financial incentives. There’s also other no-cost assistance including utility accelerator/navigator programs and the Smart Buildings Center help desk.
• Questions? Contact the Clean Buildings Team using the customer support form.

• HB1543 (PDF)
• CR-101 (PDF)
• CR-102 (PDF)
• 2026 CBPS Integrated Document – Proposed rules track changes (PDF)
• HB1543 Rulemaking: Proposed rules- WAC 194-50 (PDF)
• HB1543: Overview of proposed rules

Public Comments

• Comment period closed May 28 at 5:00 p.m.

• HB1543 Rulemaking Comment Dashboard
• Public Hearing recording

Informational Webinar

• Informational webinar recording (YouTube)
• Informational webinar presentation (PDF)
• Rulemaking and the Clean Buildings Performance Standard Factsheet (PDF)

HB1543 Rulemaking Workshop 1: Extensions and exemptions

• Extensions and exemptions recording (YouTube)
• Extensions and exemptions presentation (PFD)
• Proposed rules on extensions and exemptions (Word)

HB1543 Rulemaking Workshop 2: Alternative compliance pathway

• Alternative compliance pathway recording (YouTube)
• Alternative compliance pathway presentation (PDF)
  • For proposed rules, see slides 24-25 of the presentation
• DRAFT Environmental Justice Assessment (PDF)

HB1543 Rulemaking Workshop 3: Clarifying language

• Clarifying language recording (YouTube)
• Clarifying language presentation (PDF)
• Proposed rules for clarifying language (Word)
• Public Comment Form

HB1543 Rulemaking- Workshop 4: Comprehensive Review

• Comprehensive review recording (YouTube)
• Comprehensive review presentation (PDF)

Join us for our next webinar: CBPS New Rules Explained

The Clean Buildings Program will be adopting new rules for the Clean Buildings Performance Standard. Our team is here to help you understand what they mean for building owners, facility managers, consultants, and industry professionals. Join our upcoming webinar for an overview of the key changes, alternative pathways, new exemptions, and extensions.

• When: Jun 24, 2026, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
• Register for the CBPS New Rules webinar

How to submit a Tier 1 compliance application

• Date: May 6, 2026
• Recording for how to submit a Tier 1 compliance application

How to submit an exemption compliance application

• Date: May 5, 2026
• Recording for how to submit an exemption application
• PowerPoint for how to submit an exemption application (PDF)

A dedicated space outside of our scheduled trainings and workshops to connect with our Clean Buildings staff, ask questions, talk through scenarios and more. “Office Hours” are held on the 4th Tuesday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. PT.

• Register to attend a CBPS Office Hour Session (on Zoom)