What Happens If You Miss the EBEWE Compliance Deadline?
If you own or manage a building in Los Angeles that’s over 20,000 square feet, you’re likely subject to the city’s EBEWE ordinance—short for Existing Buildings Energy and Water Efficiency. It’s a program designed to improve building performance and reduce environmental impact by requiring periodic benchmarking and energy audits, ensuring your building is energy compliant.
But what happens if you miss an EBEWE energy compliance deadline? The consequences can be costly—not just in fines, but also in operational inefficiencies and risk exposure.
Let’s break it down.
A Quick Recap: What Is EBEWE?
The Los Angeles EBEWE ordinance requires most commercial and multifamily buildings to:
• Benchmark their energy and water usage annually (Phase 1)
• Audit their energy and water systems, or perform retro-commissioning, every five years (Phase 2)
The deadlines vary based on your building’s size and occupancy type, but they are mandatory. Failing to comply puts you at risk of legal action.
The Immediate Consequences of Missing a Deadline
Fines and Penalties
The City of Los Angeles imposes fines for non-compliance. Building owners who fail to submit required benchmarking or auditing reports can face:
• An initial non-compliance fee of $202 is required. This fee may be subject to late fees, collection fees, and interest. If this invoice is not paid within 30 days, an additional 250% late charge will be imposed. After 60 days of no payment, interest will accrue at a rate of 12% per year. It’s also important to note that payment of the non-compliance fee does not result in compliance. The building will remain out of compliance and could still be subjected to further fines and legal action.
These fines can quickly add up, especially if left unresolved for weeks or months.
Official Notice of Violation
Once your building is flagged as non-compliant, the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) may issue a Notice of Violation (NOV). This public document can affect:
• Your reputation as a property owner or manager
• Your ability to secure financing or attract tenants
Risk of Costly Upgrades
If you miss deadlines and your building underperforms in efficiency benchmarks, you could be required to implement costly retrofits on a rushed timeline—without the ability to plan or budget in advance.
Long-Term Risks of Non-Compliance
Loss of LEED or ESG Progress
If your building is pursuing LEED certification or other ESG goals, failing EBEWE compliance can undermine those efforts.
Decreased Property Value
Non-compliance may be reflected in building performance ratings, which potential investors or buyers review during due diligence.
Legal Liabilities
In some cases, property owners could be held liable if non-compliance leads to tenant dissatisfaction or operational inefficiencies tied to neglected systems.
How to Get Back on Track
If you’ve missed a deadline, act quickly. Here’s what to do:
Confirm your building’s energy compliance status with LADBS.
Schedule an energy and water audit as soon as possible.
Submit late benchmarking or audit documentation—better late than never.
Work with a qualified energy consultant to avoid future deadlines and maximize savings.
Avoid Fines. Improve Efficiency. Stay Energy Compliant
At Inland Empire Energy, we help Los Angeles building owners meet EBEWE energy compliance requirements with ease. Our in-house engineers conduct fast, affordable audits and benchmarking services—often at 25% lower cost than competitors—to help you avoid penalties and unlock real savings.
Don’t wait for the next deadline to sneak up on you.
Contact us today to get your building back on track.
