St. Louis Building Energy Performance Standard (BEPS)
Navigate St. Louis’s Energy Benchmarking Ordinance
Benchmarking Reporting
Standard reporting via ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
You must report energy and water data to the City of St. Louis annually. We handle the data collection and submission to ensure you never miss a deadline.
Risk: Moderate (Ordinance Violation)
Performance Targets (BEPS)
Buildings must meet specific Site EUI targets.
If you missed the May 4, 2025 compliance deadline, you are now at risk of fines up to $500/day. You need a recovery plan immediately.
Risk: High (Daily Fines)
"Narrow the Gap" Plan
The Fix: If you missed the target, you must submit a compliance plan.
Our Role: We conduct the mandatory ASHRAE Level II Audit to identify the retrofits needed to reduce your EUI and get you into compliance for the 2026–2030 cycle.
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Third-Party Verification
Required for the first compliance cycle.
Your benchmarking data must be verified and signed by a Professional Engineer (PE) or CEM. Unverified reports are considered non-compliant.
Action: Verify immediately to stop fines.
Ordinance Overview & Applicability
The City of St. Louis’s BEPS ordinance is a climate action mandate requiring all commercial and multifamily buildings 50,000 ft² and larger to meet specific energy performance targets. As a leader in Midwest sustainability policy, this legally binding law mandates the reduction of building energy consumption to align with the city's climate goals.
Missed the Deadline? Understanding the Risks
The first compliance cycle set a Site Energy Use Intensity (EUI) target based on your building's performance in the 2024 calendar year. The deadlines for this initial cycle have now passed:
May 1, 2025: Annual benchmarking reports for 2024 data were due.
May 4, 2025: Official compliance deadline to demonstrate the BEPS target was met.
July 31, 2025: Extended deadline for third-party data verification.
Status Alert: These deadlines are past. Buildings that are non-compliant are now at risk of significant daily fines and potential occupancy permit denials. If you have not submitted your report or verified your data, immediate action is required to limit financial exposure.
Future Compliance: The 2030 Targets
The St. Louis BEPS program operates on five-year compliance cycles of continuous improvement.
Next Cycle (2026–2030): The standards become stricter.
Next Deadline: May 4, 2030.
Strategic Planning: Buildings that met the initial target should use this time to plan for the more ambitious 2030 standard. Buildings that missed the target must immediately develop a "Narrow the Gap" compliance plan to avoid further penalties in the next cycle
St. Louis BEPS: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers regarding compliance deadlines, fines, and the "Narrow the Gap" requirements for St. Louis buildings.
However, you can mitigate this risk by taking immediate action. Contact us to submit your data and demonstrate you are working toward compliance.
This typically requires an ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit to identify specific retrofits. You must then implement these measures to ensure you reach compliance in the next cycle (2026–2030).
This must be performed by a qualified professional holding a licensure such as a Professional Engineer (PE) or Certified Energy Manager (CEM). As a PE-led firm, Sheehan Engineering is fully authorized to sign off on your verification.
While the Performance Target (EUI score) is checked every 5 years, the data reporting must happen every single year.
Exemptions may be available for buildings with financial hardship, demolition plans, or those with less than 50% occupancy during the calendar year. We can help you file for an exemption if you believe your property qualifies.
Need Professional Support?
Sheehan Engineering has extensive experience assisting clients throughout the region with the St. Louis BEPS ordinance. We possess an expert-level understanding of the specific reporting, verification, and auditing requirements necessary to bring your building into compliance.
Whether you are trying to catch up on a missed deadline to stop fines or need to plan a retrofit for the 2030 cycle, we provide the licensed professional support you need.