Washington · Seattle
Seattle: Tier 2, benchmarking and BEPS
Last updated · Checked against primary sources
Short answer
Does a Seattle building have to do Tier 2 and the city programs?
Usually, yes. Seattle nonresidential and multifamily buildings over 20,000 sq ft report energy benchmarking to the City every June 1 and face BEPS emissions requirements starting 2027 to 2030. Washington's Tier 2 report, due July 1, 2027, is separate. One accurate Portfolio Manager property feeds all three.
Key facts · checked October 27, 2026
- City benchmarking
- Over 20,000 sq ft; report each year by June 1 seattle.gov benchmarking
- City portal
- Portfolio Manager still required; submit in the new City portal seattle.gov portal
- BEPS first step
- Verified benchmarking and a GHG report by a Qualified Person, 2027 to 2030 seattle.gov BEPS
- BEPS targets
- Initial 2031 to 2035; net zero 2041 to 2050 seattle.gov BEPS
- State Tier 2
- July 1, 2027, to Commerce Commerce Tier 2 page
Three programs side by side
| Washington Tier 2 | Seattle benchmarking | Seattle BEPS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run by | WA Dept. of Commerce | City of Seattle | City of Seattle |
| Covers | Nonresidential 20,001 to 50,000 sq ft; multifamily over 20,000 | Nonresidential and multifamily over 20,000 sq ft | Nonresidential and multifamily over 20,000 sq ft |
| Requires | Benchmarking, EUIt, Energy Management Plan, O&M program | Annual Portfolio Manager report | Verified benchmarking and a greenhouse-gas report, then emissions targets |
| When | July 1, 2027, then every five years | Every June 1, for the prior year | First steps 2027 to 2030 by size; targets 2031 to 2035; net zero 2041 to 2050 |
| Filed in | Clean Buildings Portal | Seattle Building & Energy Portal | City of Seattle |
| Professional | Qualified Energy Manager | Owner or a provider the owner adds | Qualified Person |
Where the work overlaps
| Work item | Tier 2 | Benchmarking | BEPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio Manager property and 12 months of data | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Floor area and use types | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Energy Management Plan and O&M program | Yes | No | No |
| Greenhouse-gas report and targets | No | No | Yes |
A sensible order
- Check the building's City status and fix the Portfolio Manager property first; every program reads from it.
- Claim the building in the Seattle Building & Energy Portal and add your providers as members. The City says providers cannot claim a building for you.
- Use the same corrected property for Tier 2 Form C and the EUIt inputs.
- Look up the building's BEPS dates on the Seattle Benchmarking Map. The smallest buildings have until 2030 for the first step.
The City offers free BEPS coaching through the Seattle Building Emissions Navigator and warns owners about misleading third-party solicitations. Clean Buildings Associates is a private firm, not affiliated with the City of Seattle or Commerce, and does not prepare BEPS greenhouse-gas reports.
Want it done for you? Send the address and floor area to hello@cleanbuildingsassociates.com for a free coverage check and incentive estimate.