Short answer: Commercial property operators in San Francisco navigate two separate Environment Code ordinances every spring: Chapter 20 (Existing Buildings Energy Ordinance — EBO) and Chapter 30 (Ord. 220-19 Zero-Emissions Electricity). Under Ch. 20, non-residential properties starting at just >=10,000 sq ft (and multifamily apartments >=50,000 sq ft) must complete annual May 1 ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager benchmarking alongside 5-year commercial energy audits.
Under Chapter 30, commercial buildings >=50,000 sq ft carry an affirmative mandate to procure 100% GHG-free / renewable electricity across base building and landlord accounts — turning clean-power tariff enrollment into an enforceable municipal law sitting a month ahead of California AB 802’s June 1 state deadline.
- Ch. 20 Small-Commercial Reach (>=10k sf): Non-residential 10k–49,999 sq ft owe annual May 1 Portfolio Manager reporting and 5-year ASHRAE Level I audits; >=50k commercial owe ASHRAE Level II audits every 5 years.
- Ch. 20 Residential Scope (>=50k sf): Multifamily buildings >=50,000 sq ft owe May 1 annual benchmarking without Chapter 30 renewable-electricity caps.
- Ch. 30 100% Clean Electricity (>=50k Comm): Phased across >=500k (2022), >=250k (2024), and >=50k–249k tiers, requiring 100% eligible renewable electric supply via CleanPowerSF SuperGreen, PG&E Solar Choice, or qualifying direct-access green tariffs.
- Direct State Alignment: Submitting PG&E whole-building feeds by May 1 satisfies SF Environment early while feeding June 1 AB 802 reporting cleanly.
Download the San Francisco Ch. 20 & Ch. 30 Compliance Guide
Clearing Chapter 20 Audits & Chapter 30 Clean-Power Tariffs Without Fines
Unlike numeric building emissions caps in Boston or NYC that allow natural gas retrofits over multi-year timelines, San Francisco Chapter 30 isolates commercial electricity procurement as an immediate 100% renewable requirement. Owners enrolled in default CleanPowerSF Green (lower % renewable) rather than SuperGreen (100% renewable) can accidentally violate Ch. 30 despite thinking their building already runs on community choice power.
Confirm every landlord electric account — common corridors, elevators, chiller plants, and vacant suites — matches a certified 100% renewable tariff, and log periodic ASHRAE Level I/II audit reports on SF Environment’s portal ahead of May 1 due cycles.
- Audit Tiering Matters: Commercial assets 10,000–49,999 sq ft qualify for streamlined ASHRAE Level I audits rather than full Level II engineering studies.
- Verify Direct-Access / Tenant Meters: Master-metered or full-service commercial leases must account for landlord compliance responsibility.
| SF Ordinance | Covered Building Scope | Deadlines & Intervals | Core Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ch. 20 Benchmarking | Comm >=10k sf; Multifamily >=50k sf | Annual May 1 (Portfolio Mgr) | Energy benchmarking (meets AB 802 early) |
| Ch. 20 Energy Audits | Commercial >=10k sf (Level I/II) | Repeating 5-year audit cycles | ASHRAE Level I (10k–49k) / Level II (>=50k) |
| Ch. 30 Renewable Mandate | Commercial >=50,000 sf | Phased 2022–2030 active tiers | 100% GHG-free / renewable electricity tariff |
Compliance Execution Checklist
| Step | Owner / Team | Auditable Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| 1. PG&E / SFPUC May 1 Filing | Property Ops | Upload May 1 Portfolio Manager disclosures for >=10k comm / >=50k multi. |
| 2. SuperGreen Tariff Audit | Energy / Procurement | Verify 100% renewable power enrollment on all >=50k commercial accounts. |
| 3. 5-Year ASHRAE Audit Check | Qualified Auditor | Confirm due year for Level I/II audit or verified exemption status. |
Keep This San Francisco, CA Compliance Checklist Handy
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Francisco Ch. 30's 100% renewable electricity law cover apartment buildings?
No. SF Environment Code Ch. 30 applies to non-residential commercial buildings >=50,000 sq ft, while multifamily apartments >=50,000 sq ft owe annual May 1 energy benchmarking under Ch. 20.
What threshold triggers San Francisco's commercial energy audit requirement?
Under Ch. 20, non-residential buildings 10,000–49,999 sq ft must complete ASHRAE Level I energy audits every 5 years, and commercial buildings >=50,000 sq ft must complete Level II audits every 5 years.
Primary Authorities & Official Resources
- SF Department of the Environment — Existing Buildings Ordinance (Ch. 20 & Ch. 30)
- California AB 802 Statewide Benchmarking Guide
Informational notice: This guide summarizes enacted statutes, regulations, or pending legislative records from the primary authorities linked above as of November 14, 2026. It is not legal, accounting, or licensed engineering advice.