There are numerous regulations that affect buildings in Washington, DC. This suite of resources focuses specifically on the new Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) and the latest building code updates. These pages provide an overview of the regulations and links to government and industry resources for bringing your buildings into compliance.
DC Building Energy Performance Standards
- An overview of the Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) program in DC.
- BEPS Cycle 1 Summary. A quick summary of benchmarking and 3rd party verification requirements.
- Up-to-date plain-speak articles on the final BEPS Standards and Rules and the final BEPS Compliance Guidebook, including how this intersects with the Benchmarking requirements.
- A new suite of tools to help you understand DC’s BEPS, including a BEPS Compliance Pathway Wizard, BEPS Compliance Pathway Timelines, Energy Audit Scopes of Work, Existing Building Commissioning / Retro-Commissioning Scope Of Work, and our Find-A-Vendor Portal, which is now open to accept project opportunities.
- Download our tear sheet overviews of BEPS, how BEPS Meets Code, and Decarbonization.
- An overview of technical amendments to the DC BEPS legislation passed by DC Council in December 2024, to learn about how the changes will affect you and your work.
Benchmarking
- An overview of the Benchmarking regulations, including the latest updates.
- Guidance on common errors in benchmarking and how to understand your energy benchmarking data.
- A downloadable sample scope of work (SOW) and companion how-to-guide to help with Third Party Benchmarking Data Verification. While benchmarking is annual, the next third-party verification deadline is May 1, 2027.
- A webinar on Third-Party Verification, with guidance and best practices presented by a practitioner in the field.
DC Building Codes
- See the changes in the 2017 District of Columbia Energy Conservation Code updates.
- Get the basics on the new Building Envelope Commissioning requirements in DC.
- An overview of commissioning requirements and how to comply with District requirements.
- Understand how building electrification factors into the 2017 DC Energy Conservation Code and learn how to submit a code modification using a Site Energy metric to demonstrate compliance through the performance pathway.
- New! Use our step-by-step DC Green Code Guide to help determine DC green building requirements under the Green Building Act (GBA) or the Green Construction Code (GCC) for your projects.
Renewable Energy
- Solar Energy in DC explains the various District policies related to solar energy systems, the benefits of going solar, the impact of zoning regulations on solar installations, and how to maximize onsite generation
- Ask the Expert: Does Adding Solar to a Building Help Meet the BEPS? (Aykut Yilmaz, DOEE)
New Resource: DC Green Code Guide
Navigate DC’s green building requirements with this interactive tool.