Question 1

What is the EBEWE ordinance?

Accepted Answer

EBEWE (Existing Buildings Energy and Water Efficiency) is a City of Los Angeles ordinance under Division 97 of the Municipal Code, administered by LADBS. It requires covered buildings to benchmark their energy and water use annually and to complete energy and water audits or retro-commissioning (A/RCx) every five years.

Question 2

Does my building have to comply with EBEWE?

Accepted Answer

EBEWE applies to privately owned buildings of 20,000 square feet or more, City of Los Angeles–owned buildings of 7,500 square feet or more, and state-agency buildings of 20,000 square feet or more. If you own an apartment building or commercial property in the City of LA over 20,000 square feet, you are almost certainly covered.

Question 3

When are the EBEWE deadlines?

Accepted Answer

There are two timelines. Annual benchmarking reports are due June 1 each year, covering the previous calendar year's energy and water consumption. The five-year audit/retro-commissioning (A/RCx) is due December 1 of your building's compliance year, which is determined by the last digit of your LADBS Building ID.

Question 4

What happens if I don't comply with EBEWE?

Accepted Answer

LADBS assesses a non-compliance fee of $202 when a building fails to comply, and fees can be assessed repeatedly while non-compliance continues. Unresolved EBEWE compliance also surfaces in lender and buyer due diligence when you refinance or sell.

Question 5

How does EBEWE benchmarking work?

Accepted Answer

The building is registered with LADBS, whole-building usage data from LADWP and SoCalGas is connected to ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager — utility coordination that typically takes 4 to 6 weeks — and the benchmarking report is submitted with the LADBS filing fee. Datum handles this entire process for you, including utility data coordination, so start before your deadline window closes.

Question 6

What is the audit/retro-commissioning (A/RCx) requirement?

Accepted Answer

Every five years, covered buildings must complete an energy audit meeting ASHRAE Level II standards plus a water assessment, or retro-commissioning of building systems, supervised by a California licensed engineer or architect. Datum delivers A/RCx in partnership with licensed architects — and as a licensed Class B contractor, we also perform the efficiency retrofits the audit identifies, from plumbing fixture upgrades to HVAC-related construction.

Question 7

Can my building get an EBEWE exemption?

Accepted Answer

Yes, several exemption paths exist. For example, a building can be exempted from the water A/RCx requirement if a California licensed engineer or architect certifies that it reduced water use intensity by at least 20% compared to the five years preceding its due date. Hardship extensions are also available for buildings under financial or legal distress. Exemption requests must be certified by a licensed professional — we evaluate your exemption eligibility before recommending a full audit, which can save you significant cost.

Question 8

I missed the June 1 benchmarking deadline — what should I do?

Accepted Answer

File as soon as possible — non-compliance fees apply until the filing is made, and late compliance is far better than continued non-compliance. We prioritize scheduling for owners who are past their deadline and handle the LADBS process end-to-end.

Question 9

How much do EBEWE compliance services cost?

Accepted Answer

Cost varies with the scope: annual benchmarking depends on the number of buildings and utility accounts involved, while audits and retro-commissioning depend on building size and system complexity. We provide free quotes based on your building's square footage and compliance status.

Question 10

Does EBEWE apply to apartment buildings that also need SB-721 inspections?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. An LA apartment building over 20,000 square feet with 3 or more units is subject to both EBEWE and SB-721. Datum is one of the few firms that handles both — EBEWE benchmarking and audits, plus SB-721 exterior elevated element inspections — in a single engagement.

EBEWE Compliance for Los Angeles Buildings.

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Risks of Non-Compliance

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