Los Angeles EBEWE

The Los Angeles Existing Building Energy and Water Efficiency (EBEWE) ordinance requires owners of commercial and multifamily buildings over 20,000 square feet to file an Energy Benchmark report by June 1st each year, plus submit Energy and Water Audit and Retro-commissioning reports every 5 years.
 

EBEWE EXCEPTIONS AND EXEMPTIONS

BENCHMARKING EXCEPTIONS

There are some exceptions from benchmarking. The ordinance shall not apply to:

1. One-and two-family dwellings and related accessory structures;
2. Residential hotels as defined by the California Health and Safety Code;
3. Broadcast antennas, vehicle charging stations, utility pumping stations, and treatment facilities;
4. Sound stages and structures are used primarily for the production and post-production of motion pictures and television.
   

BENCHMARKING EXEMPTIONS

The owner of a building shall be exempt from filing a benchmarking report for a reporting year if any of the following conditions apply:

1. The building did not have a Certificate of Occupancy or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for the entire calendar year required to be benchmarked;
2. The entire building was not occupied, due to renovation, for the entire calendar year required to be reported;
3. The demolition permit for the entire building has been issued and demolition work has commenced on or before the date the benchmark report is due for that calendar year;
4. The building did not receive energy or water services for the entire calendar year required to be benchmarked.

AUDIT AND RETRO-COMMISSIONING EXEMPTIONS

A. ENERGY A/RCx EXEMPTIONS

Buildings can qualify for the A/RCx exemption based on Building Performance or Title 24 Compliance. Buildings that meet one of the below exemptions are not required to go through an Energy Audit or Retro-Commissioning.

1. Energy Star Certification: The building has received this certification from the EPA for the year of the building’s compliance due date. (Requires an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or greater.)
2. Energy Star Certification: The building has received this certification from the EPA for two of the three years preceding the building’s compliance due date. (Requires an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or greater.)
3. For buildings not eligible to receive an Energy Star score, the building must perform 25% better than the national median provided by the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) (if this score exists) of similar building types.
4. The building has reduced its Source Energy Use Intensity (EUI) by 15% when compared to the five years before a building’s compliance due date.
5. Buildings that do not have a central cooling system or have a cooling system having an aggregate input capacity of less than 100 refrigeration tons (1,200,000 Btu/h) must retrofit four of six energy efficiency measures noted in the EBEWE guideline below for Title 24 Compliance.
   1. Common Area and Exterior Lighting. The common area (lighting outside of tenant spaces) and exterior lighting fixtures were installed in accordance with California Title 24 in effect at any time during the five-year compliance cycle being reported.
   2. Pipe Insulation. All exposed pipes used to convey heat or hot water were insulated in accordance with California Title 24 in effect at any time during the five-year compliance cycle being reported.
   3. Cool Roof. A cool roof was installed in accordance with the Los Angeles Green Building Code and California Title 24 in effect at any time during the five-year compliance cycle being reported.
   4. Demand Response. The building owner participates in a utility-sponsored Demand Response Program and complies with the terms and conditions thereof.
   5. Solar Thermal. A solar hot water heating system was installed.
   6. Domestic Hot Water. A new hot water heater was installed in accordance with California Title 24 in effect at any time during the five-year compliance cycle being reported.

B. WATER A/RCx EXEMPTIONS

1. The building has reduced its water use intensity by at least 20% when compared to the five years prior to the building’s compliance due date.
2. Buildings that do not have a central cooling system or with a cooling system that does not operate by the consumption of water as part of the cooling process must retrofit two of three water efficiency measures noted below for Title 24 Compliance
3. Low Flow Faucets and Shower Heads. All faucets and showerheads within the building were replaced and meet the Los Angeles Municipal Code and California Title 24 in effect at any time during the five-year compliance cycle being reported.
4. Washing Machines. Front-loading clothes washing machines were installed in all common laundry facilities.
5. Water Closets and Urinals. All water closets and urinals within the building were replaced and meet the Los Angeles Municipal Code and California Title 24 in effect at any time during the five-year compliance cycle being reported
6. The building’s water use conforms to the LA Municipal and Title 24 Code in effect at any time during the five-year compliance cycle.
7. The building is new and has been occupied for less than five years from its occupancy date based on the Temporary or final Certificate of Occupancy.

All exemptions must be certified by or performed under the supervision of a California-licensed architect or engineer.

For more information about the ordinance in an easy-to-use format, visit our EBEWE FAQ page.