EBEWE · OWNER GUIDES
Got an LADBS EBEWE Notice? What to Do Next
Start with the notice, not a guess. An LADBS notice identifies a building and a reporting obligation. Before ordering an energy audit or paying an invoice, establish which EBEWE requirement and year need attention.
Read your LADBS notice before choosing a scope
Keep the complete letter, its attachments and any invoice together. Look for the property address, LA City Building ID, reporting or compliance year, and due date. Benchmarking and audits and retro-commissioning are separate parts of EBEWE compliance. A notice about one does not tell you that the other is complete. Compare the letter with the records held by your property manager and previous consultant.
The Existing Buildings Energy and Water Efficiency (EBEWE) Program was established by Ordinance No. 184674. Your next step should address the actual outstanding requirement, rather than treating every letter as an instruction to commission the same service.
Find the Building ID and check EBEWE compliance status
LADBS provides the Building ID on Notices to Comply and non-compliance invoices. It is different from the Property ID in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. For annual benchmarking, the notice identifies the calendar year to report and its due date. For A/RCx, use the compliance year on the notice; the recurring schedule is based on the last digit of the LADBS Building ID, not the assessor number.
Check both official status tools when assembling the building’s record. Save submitted reports, declarations and receipts so you can explain any discrepancy to LADBS. The ECCP deadline lookup helps you plan the A/RCx schedule; it is not a replacement for checking the City’s records or a building-specific notice.
Understand the EBEWE penalty without confusing payment with compliance
Owners often call it an EBEWE fine. LADBS describes a $202 non-compliance fee. If the invoice is not paid within 30 days of its date, an additional 250% late charge/collection fee applies. After 60 days of no payment, interest accrues at 12% annually, compounded monthly or for a portion of a month. Read your actual invoice for the charges and payment instructions.
Paying the fee does not bring the building into compliance. LADBS states that a building remains out of compliance until the requirements are addressed and may face further legal action. Compliance status is posted publicly. Resolve the invoice and the missing compliance work as separate matters; do not assume a payment receipt closes the underlying obligation.
Choose an EBEWE compliance path supported by evidence
For a benchmarking notice, review registration, payment of the annual registration fee and submission of the correct annual report. For an A/RCx notice, review the energy and water requirements separately. An applicable exemption may avoid some audit work, but eligibility needs evidence. If an energy audit and retro-commissioning are needed, establish the scope, access arrangements and filing responsibilities before authorizing the work.
A time extension is another possible path, subject to LADBS review and the applicable conditions. It is not automatic. Requests are not accepted sooner than six months before the building’s due date. An extension does not change exemption-condition timing: the benchmark report still covers the designated calendar year, and an ENERGY STAR certificate must still be issued on or before the compliance due date.
EBEWE questions owners ask
What is the EBEWE penalty?
LADBS lists a $202 non-compliance fee, an additional 250% late charge/collection fee if unpaid within 30 days, and 12% annual interest after 60 days of no payment, compounded monthly or for a portion of a month.
Does paying an EBEWE fine close the notice?
No. LADBS states that payment of the non-compliance fee does not result in compliance. Address the outstanding reporting or A/RCx requirement as well as the invoice.
Can I get an extension?
LADBS may grant an extension under its published conditions. Requests are not accepted sooner than six months before the due date. Approval is not guaranteed, and exemption-condition timing does not change.
Do I need an energy audit?
Not every notice means an energy audit is needed. First identify whether it concerns benchmarking or A/RCx, then check whether an applicable energy or water exemption is supported by evidence.
Where is my Building ID?
Look on your LADBS Notice to Comply or non-compliance invoice. The LADBS Building ID is different from your ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Property ID.
Can other people see the compliance status?
Yes. LADBS states that building compliance status is publicly posted. Use the official benchmarking and A/RCx status tools to check the relevant requirement.
START WITH YOUR BUILDING
Plan your next EBEWE compliance step.
Send the address, Building ID and available records. We’ll review what needs attention and explain the appropriate scope. Check your A/RCx schedule while you gather the details.