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Beyond Benchmarking

BEYOND BENCHMARKING REQUIREMENTS

Refer to our Compliance Schedule below to see the list of buildings due for Beyond Benchmarking in 2024. Note: We will start accepting 2024 submissions on March 1, 2024.   

Annually by May 1, a subset of covered building owners must demonstrate either satisfactory building energy and water efficiency or undergo actions for efficiency improvement (San José Code of Ordinances, Chapter 17.85.400). If an owner can demonstrate that a covered building meets key performance standards through yearly benchmarking, the owner can then submit a Performance Verification Report. If a building is not able to meet these standards, the owner can perform an energy audit, retrocommissioning, or targeted efficiency upgrades to improve performance.  

Beyond Benchmarking compliance due dates are separated into cohorts based on the overall Gross Floor Area (GFA) and ending Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) of the covered building and occur on a rolling basis every five years. The first year of Beyond Benchmarking implementation was 2023. Notices regarding upcoming Beyond Benchmarking requirements will be sent out to each building’s owner mailing address (as listed in Santa Clara County Tax Records) six months prior to their compliance due date.  

Please see below for more information on the requirements including a compliance schedule, resources to help you throughout the process, and more.  

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

There are numerous ways that Beyond Benchmarking will benefit both San José and building owners. By identifying opportunities for energy and water savings, retuning building systems and switching out inefficient equipment, Beyond Benchmarking will help building owners save money, improve tenant comfort, and increase the bottom line of their building portfolio. In addition, building energy use accounts for 33% of San José’s greenhouse gas emissions. Beyond Benchmarking will be critical in helping San José reach the emission reduction goals set forth in Climate Smart San José.

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK ON POTENTIAL BUILDING PERFORMANCE ORDINANCE LANGUAGE UPDATES

The City of San José BPO team is engaging with its stakeholders to gather feedback on potential language updates to the existing Building Performance Ordinance Beyond Benchmarking section.

We hosted three webinars in October 2024 that provided background on Beyond Benchmarking, first implemented in 2023, explained the desired language updates, the impacts of potential updates, and gathered feedback. If you would like a copy of this presentation, email the Benchmarking team at: benchmarking@sanjoseca.gov.

COMPLIANCE FORMS

Performance Pathway

  • Water Use Intensity (WUI) Score Table A table of average water use intensity (WUI) scores by property type in the City of San José. To be used as a tool to aid compliance with the Performance Pathway.
  • Performance Verification Report Sample: Also known as Energy Star Portfolio Manager’s Data Verification Checklist. This Checklist can be accessed from the Reporting tab within the building’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager account. The completed Checklist should be attached to your Performance Pathway Form.
  • Submit your Performance Pathway Form here. Log into the User Portal to submit your Performance Pathway Form and attachments by May 1 of your Beyond Benchmarking compliance year.

Improvement Pathway

Beyond Benchmarking Exemption and Extension Forms

  • Beyond Benchmarking Exemption Request: If you believe that your building qualifies for an exemption, please file an exemption request no later than April 1 of your Beyond Benchmarking compliance year.
  • Beyond Benchmarking Extension Request: If you need a submittal extension, you may file an extension request no later than May 1 of your Beyond Benchmarking compliance year.
  • Beyond Benchmarking Exemption and Extension Forms are to be submitted through the User Portal here.
  • All forms must contain a San José Building ID to be processed. Try our Covered Buildings List Lookup Tool.

Resources 

Check out Informational Webinars on completing Beyond Benchmarking requirements.

Beyond Benchmarking Compliance Schedule: A list of buildings that are required to comply with Beyond Benchmarking by May 1, 2024. This document also includes the general compliance schedule, as it’s written in the Ordinance, so you can find your building’s future compliance deadline if you are not part of this year’s cohort. 

Beyond Benchmarking Compliance Guide: This document lists out the steps that building owners will need to take to fulfill requirements. The document includes guidance on how to determine your building’s Beyond Benchmarking pathway, the different actions you can complete for compliance, related definitions, and more. 

Beyond Benchmarking Flow Chart: A visual representation of the Beyond Benchmarking Compliance steps, including Performance and Improvement pathways.

Beyond Benchmarking Frequently Asked Questions: Answers to common questions about Beyond Benchmarking. To search for a specific topic, click Ctrl + F and type the topic. 

San José’s List of Qualified Service Providers**: A list of licensed professionals that are qualified to perform performance verification, ASHRAE Level II energy audits and/or retrommissioning for compliance with the Ordinance.

** The City of San José’s Environmental Services Department does not endorse any service provider on the list and does not assume any liability in connection with the use of the list of qualified service providers. 

ENERGY STAR’s List of Licensed Professionals: A directory of professionals published by ENERGY STAR who have verified properties for ENERGY STAR certification and tenant recognition.