Market Guide

Commercial Building Energy Requirements in San Francisco

Utility rates, compliance regulations, and benchmarking requirements for commercial real estate in San Francisco, California.

Average Commercial Utility Rates

$0.27Electric Rate

$0.27/kWh

$1.79Gas Rate

$1.79/therm

Rising

Up 11% YoY; PG&E wildfire mitigation costs driving increases

Energy Regulations & Compliance

SF Environment Code Chapter 20

Active

Annual energy benchmarking and audits for commercial buildings; electrification requirements for new builds.

Threshold

10,000 sqft

Deadline

April 1 annually

Penalty

Up to $100 per day

California AB 802

Active

Statewide benchmarking mandate with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager reporting.

Threshold

50,000 sqft

Deadline

June 1 annually

Penalty

Up to $2,000 per day after notice

All-Electric New Construction

Active

SF requires all-electric new construction, banning natural gas in new buildings.

Threshold

All new construction

Deadline

Effective since 2021

Penalty

Permit denial

Compliance Timeline

April 1 annually

SF Environment Code Chapter 20 — 10,000 sqft

June 1 annually

California AB 802 — 50,000 sqft

Effective since 2021

All-Electric New Construction — All new construction

Utility Providers

PG&E

Electric & Gas

CleanPowerSF

Electric

Benchmarking Requirements

Benchmarking is required

Building Threshold

10,000 sqft

Filing Deadline

April 1 annually

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