Frequently Answered

FAQs From Our California Community (A Work in Progress)

This Hub serves thousands of users across the state, from building owners navigating their first compliance assessment to experienced consultants advising multiple clients. Below is the beginning of a resource that will grow in value as the Hub expands and use increases.

These answers will address questions frequently asked of our Building Support Agent an AI-powered tool that has direct access to our full repository and that processes hundreds of queries each week from California professionals actively implementing, enforcing, or advising on building performance requirements. The patterns in user questions will reveal the real-world information needs of our diverse community, whether someone is trying to understand compliance timelines, find the right financing resources, or determine which technical pathway makes sense for their building.

Organization & Updates

We're organizing these FAQs to mirror the typical user journey, starting with foundational questions about what building performance standards are and progressing through practical implementation questions about compliance, financing, and technical support. We'll be adding more questions and answers as we continue learning from our community's needs.

More Questions?

Please don't hesitate to ask anything at all—contact us or ask our Building Support Agent now, especially if your question will help others in our community more quickly get the answers they need to make the impacts they are envisioning. As California's building performance requirements continue to evolve, we regularly update these answers to reflect new policies, programs, and resources.

Some Specifics to the Hub (Also Visit Get Started Page)

  • The Hub includes tools like the Building Performance Calculator, which estimates energy use intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, and potential upgrade pathways based on your building's characteristics.

  • The California Building Performance Hub is a centralized digital resource designed to help building owners, municipalities, consultants, and advocates understand and implement Building Performance Standards (BPS) across California.

  • This is a collaborative work in progress that will grow in value as our community contributes. Your suggestions for new resources, feedback on existing tools, and insights from your implementation experience are not only welcome but vital to making the Hub more useful for everyone. Contact our team through the Help Desk or community forums to share your input.

  • Yes the AI-powered Building Performance Guide, with its direct access to a substantial and growing repository of resources as well as our Help Desk offer real-time navigation and personalized support, including answers to common questions and connection to live assistance when needed.

  • Municipalities can access model ordinances, implementation timelines, cross-jurisdiction templates, and peer learning opportunities to accelerate policy development and local adoption.

  • Yes, Spanish translation is prioritized in Phase I, with additional languages planned based on user demand and community needs.

Some Quick Basics on Building Performance (With Links to Comprehensive Sections)

  • BPS are regulations that require large buildings—typically 25,000 square feet or larger—to track energy use annually and meet specific energy or emissions performance targets over time, with increasingly stringent requirements at regular intervals.

  • Compliance may be legally required based on your building type and jurisdiction. Beyond avoiding penalties, which can include fines and permit restrictions, compliance typically reduces energy costs, improves building value, and supports local climate goals.

  • Compliance timelines vary by jurisdiction but typically follow 4-5 year cycles with interim reporting requirements. Check your local ordinance for specific deadlines, as some jurisdictions have already implemented requirements while others are still in development.

  • Start by determining your jurisdiction's specific requirements and compliance timeline. Then explore our compliance pathways, access financing resources, and review tailored guidance to plan your improvement strategy.

  • Our financing section highlights rebates, subsidies, tax credits, and financing tools from utilities, state programs, and community lenders. Resources include incentive databases and return-on-investment calculators.

  • Yes, the Hub features a calendar of workshops, webinars, and key BPS deadlines, alongside on-demand training modules and workforce development resources. We will also keep you updated on live local events ranging from roundtables to public meetings with municipalities and agencies.