BPS Library

Series of BPS-related resources that provide information on building performance standards, including a fact sheet on how cities can benefit from these policies.

This is a template for cities and states to develop building performance standards. It provides structural foundation that can be tailored to individual jurisdictions.

This document presents sample language that can be used by jurisdictions interested in drafting a comprehensive existing building performance policy that encompasses provisions for benchmarking, as well as additional actions beyond benchmarking. The model language, based on best practices that have been identified while working with many of the jurisdictions that have enacted successful policies, can be easily customized by policymakers to meet the unique needs of their city.

This document examines lessons from carbon policy and their applicability to building performance standards. Discusses policy in DC, NYC, and Tokyo. This report assesses the various tradeoffs and challenges of designing building performance standards (BPS) in order to facilitate compliance and promote cost-effectiveness.

This report considers the options for implementing a building performance standard across a broader scope of buildings and geography than a single city or state: federally owned or leased buildings, which comprise 1 billion square feet across the country.

This document will be of most immediate use to policymakers that are preparing to implement or are already implementing a BPS policy. In addition to specific recommendations, the guide presents a broad overview of the many aspects of implementing a BPS and thus is a valuable resource for policy planning as well as developing appropriations requests.

For cities exploring building performance standards, a high-performance building hub provides critical guidance, technical assistance, or access to available incentives to building owners, designers, contractors, and operators. This brief for policymakers explores why a city should consider offering a high-performance hub and outlines key steps in figuring out how to set one up.

This ACEEE webpage discusses approaches for facilitating statewide energy data access and the roles and opportunities for different stakeholders, including residents, multifamily building owners, businesses, utilities, and regulators. 

The Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) has prepared a framework for local governments, community and industry stakeholders interested in building performance standards that provides guidance on how to plan and coordinate the different policy components to achieve equitable outcomes. The USDN has also hosted a series of BPS webinars that are available on demand that provide background for local governments, community members, and industry professionals.

The Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) has prepared a series of BPS-related resources that provide information on building performance standards, including a fact sheet on how cities can benefit from these policies, and a matrix Comparison of U.S. Building Performance Standards that compares the requirements of existing BPS in U.S. cities and states. Additionally, IMT has also created a Model Ordinance that is intended to provide sample language for a BPS ordinance in a jurisdiction.