What is Philadelphia's Building Energy Performance Policy?
Philadelphia's Building Energy Performance Policy (BEPP) is a City program that requires certain large commercial and multifamily buildings to meet energy performance standards on a recurring compliance cycle. The program is part of Philadelphia's broader effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment.
BEPP is distinct from the City's annual benchmarking requirement. Benchmarking means reporting your building's energy use each year. BEPP goes further — it requires covered buildings to actually demonstrate that they meet a performance standard or take qualifying action to move toward compliance.
Which buildings may be covered?
Based on City program information, BEPP appears to apply to non-residential and large multifamily buildings above certain size thresholds. The program is being phased in by building size:
2027 cohort
Non-residential buildings between 100,000 and 200,000 sq ft may be subject to the first compliance cycle.
Larger buildings (>200,000 sq ft)
Buildings above 200,000 sq ft appear to fall within the program as well, with compliance obligations based on City program rules.
Future cohorts
Smaller buildings are expected to enter compliance in later cycles as the program phases in.
Purely residential buildings (single-family, small multifamily) generally do not appear to fall within BEPP based on City program information. Use our free lookup to check a specific property.
BEPP vs. annual benchmarking
| Benchmarking | BEPP | |
|---|---|---|
| What it requires | Report energy use annually via ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager | Meet a performance standard or take qualifying compliance action |
| Frequency | Annual | Compliance cycle (multi-year) |
| Who it applies to | Large buildings above City threshold | Covered buildings by cohort/size |
| Consequence of non-compliance | Separate City penalties | $2,000 initial fine + $500/day after 30 days |
Main compliance pathways
Based on City program information, covered buildings generally have several pathways to demonstrate compliance:
High-Performance pathway
Buildings that can demonstrate they already meet the City's energy performance standard may qualify for this pathway. A High Performance report is due April 5, 2027 for the first cohort.
Learn about the High-Performance pathwayBuilding Tune-Up pathway
Buildings that do not qualify for the High-Performance pathway may comply by completing a Building Tune-Up — a systematic review and optimization of building systems performed by a qualified specialist. The Tune-Up Report deadline for the 2027 cohort is September 30, 2027.
Learn about Building Tune-UpsAlternative Compliance Plans, exemptions, and extensions
In some circumstances, building owners may be able to file an Alternative Compliance Plan, request an exemption, or apply for an extension. These options have their own filing deadlines and eligibility criteria.
Learn about alternative compliance optionsThe 2027 cohort
The first BEPP compliance cycle targets non-residential buildings between 100,000 and 200,000 sq ft. Key dates for this cohort include January 4, 2027 (first day to submit Alternative Compliance Plans), April 5, 2027 (High Performance reports deadline and first day for exemption/extension requests), and September 30, 2027 (Tune-Up Report deadline).
See the full 2027 deadline scheduleIndependent information resource
Philadelphia Building Compliance is an independent service — not affiliated with the City of Philadelphia or any government agency. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Always verify requirements directly with the City of Philadelphia.