Atlanta CBEEO compliance for existing buildings
Annual benchmarking and 10-year ASHRAE Level II energy audits, led by a licensed PE who knows the ordinance inside and out.
Does the ordinance apply to you?
If your commercial or multifamily building is over 25,000 square feet and within Atlanta city limits, it's covered. That includes condominium towers, apartment communities, offices, and institutional buildings.
Not sure? Look up your ABID on the City's building database, or send us your address and we'll confirm your status, your Atlanta Building ID (ABID), and your deadlines within two business days.
Two requirements, two timelines
Annual benchmarking.
Every year, covered buildings report whole-building energy and water use through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. The ordinance sets a June 1 deadline, though the City sometimes extends it. This year's deadline was July 1. We track the current date so you don't have to.
Energy audit every 10 years.
An ASHRAE Level II energy audit performed by a qualified professional. Your audit year is set by the last digit of your ABID.
When is your audit due?
| ABID ends in | Audit due |
|---|---|
| 6 | December 31, 2026This year |
| 7 | December 31, 2027 |
| 8 | December 31, 2028 |
| 9 | December 31, 2029 |
ABID ending in 6? Your deadline is this year.
Audits take time to schedule, gather utility data for, and complete. Request a proposal now →
What happens if you miss it?
Noncompliant buildings face fines of up to $1,000 per year, and compliance status is publicly searchable. For condo boards, that's a line item to explain to owners and a potential issue at resale.
Turnkey compliance
- Benchmarking: we set up or update your Portfolio Manager account, pull utility data, and submit on time.
- ASHRAE Level II energy and water audit: a site visit, utility analysis, and a compliance-ready report, submitted to the City. Every audit includes a water assessment. For condo buildings, water and sewer costs often rival electricity.
- After the report: help prioritizing measures, finding rebates, vetting contractor bids, and overseeing projects.
Could your building be exempt from the audit?
Some buildings qualify, for example those with recent ENERGY STAR certification or significant documented score improvement. We'll tell you honestly if you qualify, and handle the paperwork if you do.
Frequently asked questions
Does my multifamily building fall under CBEEO?
Yes. The ordinance applies to any covered building over 25,000 gross square feet, regardless of whether it's used as commercial office space, a hotel, or residential apartments — the size threshold is what matters, not the use. Owners and managers often assume the ordinance only applies to office buildings since it's titled the "Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance," but multifamily properties are one of the most common building types we work with.
Does my condominium building fall under CBEEO?
Yes — condominiums are treated the same as other multifamily buildings under the ordinance, so the same 25,000 sq ft threshold applies. This is one area we specialize in: condominium associations make up the majority of our client base, largely through our partnership with FirstService Residential, so we're well versed in the specific challenges of getting a board or association through the compliance process.
How long does the whole process take?
After contract signing, we can schedule the site visit for as soon as 3 weeks. We generally spend 1-2 days on site and turn over the report within 6-8 weeks after extensive modeling and analysis in the office.
What's included in a CBEEO energy and water audit?
An ASHRAE Level II energy and water audit covering your building envelope, HVAC, lighting and controls, domestic water and hot water systems, building automation, and conveying systems — plus a full report with equipment inventories, utility consumption analysis, a list of recommended energy and water conservation measures, and an economic analysis including available utility incentives and tax credits.
How much does an energy and water audit cost?
Pricing primarily depends on building size, the type of building, and the complexity of systems on site, so we provide a specific quote for every property rather than a flat rate. Contact us for a proposal tailored to your building.
Also, see our blog post on pricing.
What does the building need to provide for an audit?
Recent utility bills (electric, gas, water), as-built plans if available, and basic building operation details like occupancy hours. We help walk you through gathering what's needed.
What happens after the report is finished?
We walk through the findings with you and other stakeholders in a virtual or in-person review. Once approved, we submit the completed audit to the City on your behalf through the required online reporting tool.
Do we have to implement the recommendations?
No. Atlanta's audit recommendations aren't currently mandatory, but many pay for themselves, and rebates often cover part of the cost.
Can the audit be expedited?
Yes — standard delivery is about 8 weeks after the site visit, with an expedited 4-week option available for an additional fee if you're working against a tighter deadline.
Is there a way to reduce the cost?
We offer a discount (currently 15%) for contracts signed in the first half of the year (January–June), since that helps us plan capacity ahead of the fall compliance rush. Signing early is generally the easiest way to reduce cost and guarantee availability.
When should I start the process to meet my audit compliance deadline?
We recommend starting well before your December 31st deadline — ideally summer at the latest — since site visits, data collection, and report preparation all take time, and availability tightens as more buildings rush to comply toward year-end.
Will the audit site visit disrupt building operations?
No. Site visits are hands-off — nothing is modified, removed, or installed. The survey is a visual and data-gathering assessment of existing systems.
Do you guarantee energy savings?
Since so many factors are out of our hands, no energy efficiency consultant can honestly guarantee savings, and we don't either. The report identifies and quantifies realistic opportunities so you can make an informed decision, but actual savings depend on which measures you choose to implement.