Washington · Dates
Deadlines and penalties
Last updated · Checked against primary sources
Short answer
When is Tier 2 due, and what is the penalty?
Tier 2 reports are due July 1, 2027, then every five years. An owner who misses it receives a notice with at least 30 days to comply. If documentation still isn't submitted, Commerce assesses up to $0.30 per sq ft of gross floor area for that compliance period: up to $9,000 for a 30,000 sq ft building.
Key facts · checked October 27, 2026
- Compliance date
- July 1, 2027 WAC 194-50-160
- Cycle
- Every five years after that RCW 19.27A.250
- Maximum penalty
- $0.30 per sq ft of gross floor area WAC 194-50-160
- Notice period
- At least 30 days to comply after a NOVCI WAC 194-50-160
- Penalty use
- Deposited to the low-income weatherization account RCW 19.27A.250
Every Tier 2 date
| Date | What happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| By January 1, 2027 | Last day to apply for an exemption (applications open two years before the deadline) | CBPS 028; Commerce Tier 2 page |
| January 1, 2027 | Extension window opens | CBPS 044 |
| July 1, 2027 | Compliance report due in the Clean Buildings Portal | WAC 194-50-160 |
| By the reporting date | Proof the O&M program is implemented | Commerce bulletin, Oct. 22, 2026 |
| January 1, 2028 | Extension window closes; an extension adds up to two years | CBPS 044 |
| Every five years | Next report, starting from the 2027 date | RCW 19.27A.250 |
| Not before end of 2031 session | Earliest a Tier 2 performance standard can take effect | RCW 19.27A.250 |
If the deadline is missed
- Notice. Commerce issues a notice of violation and corrective instruction (NOVCI) with at least 30 days to comply.
- Respond within 30 days. Submit compliance, apply for an exemption or extension if still eligible, pay the penalty, or request a hearing. Missing the response date waives the hearing.
- Comply in time. Fines are waived, and the owner may still apply for the incentive.
- No compliance. The maximum of $0.30 per sq ft is assessed for that compliance period, the incentive may be lost, and interest accrues once the debt is past due.
What the cap means
| Gross floor area | Maximum penalty | Base incentive if compliant |
|---|---|---|
| 20,001 sq ft | $6,000 | about $6,000 |
| 30,000 sq ft | $9,000 | about $9,000 |
| 50,000 sq ft | $15,000 | about $15,000 |
| 80,000 sq ft (multifamily) | $24,000 | about $24,000 |
Penalty: WAC 194-50-160 Y5.4. Incentive: base rate of $0.30 per sq ft of eligible floor area (RCW 19.27A.220), paid by a participating utility, not guaranteed. Commerce's Tier 2 Penalties Estimator (CBPS 038) does the same arithmetic.
Tenants
Penalties cannot be passed on to tenants who provide access to energy data and spaces and respond to the owner's compliance requests. Collected penalties go to the state's low-income weatherization account.
Want it done for you? Send the address and floor area to hello@cleanbuildingsassociates.com for a free coverage check and incentive estimate.