Washington’s next clean-building deadline is approaching. By July 1, 2027, owners of certain mid-sized commercial buildings and multifamily properties must meet the state’s Tier 2 requirements. In general, the rules cover nonresidential buildings larger than 20,000 and up to 50,000 square feet, along with multifamily buildings larger than 20,000 square feet.
The requirements center on tracking energy use, setting up an energy management plan and creating an operations and maintenance program. Owners must compare a building’s energy use with a state target, but Tier 2 buildings are not currently required to meet that target.
That means the rules don’t automatically require every covered owner to replace equipment or make major physical upgrades. What each building needs will depend on its circumstances, and Tacoma Public Utilities says it can help customers access building energy-use data.
The state has also set aside incentives for owners who meet the requirements early. Washington Commerce reports that more than $138 million remained in the $150 million statewide program as of September 24, 2026. The funding is available across Washington, and eligible owners apply through the program; it is not a Pierce County allocation.
A Weekly Volcano’s report looks at what the rules could mean for Pierce County property owners, including the questions smaller landlords may have about eligibility, exemptions and getting technical help. The state’s incentive figures have since been updated, so check the current program details before making plans..
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