Seattle Building Tune-Ups and Carbon Neutral by 2050
What Building Owners Need to Know
Seattle’s Building Tune‑Ups ordinance is designed to help commercial property owners uncover no‑ or low‑cost ways to cut energy and water expenses By periodically adjusting and optimizing building systems, owners can reduce consumption by 10–15% on average and see a return on investment within three years.
Why Tune-Ups Matter
Lower operating costs: optimizing HVAC and water systems reduces utility bills and extends equipment life.
Increased tenant satisfaction: well‑tuned systems keep occupants comfortable, supporting retention and higher rents.
Carbon‑neutral goals: Seattle aims for carbon neutrality by 2050; tune‑ups contribute to that goal.
Who Needs to Comply
Non‑residential buildings 50,000 sq ft or larger (excluding parking) must complete a tune‑up every five years. Currently in the Second Tune-Up Cycle with larger buildings are due first:
• 200,000+ sq ft – due 1 Oct 2023.
• 100 000–199,999 sq ft – due 1 Oct 2024.
• 70 000–99,999 sq ft – due 1 Oct 2025.
• 50 000–69,999 sq ft – due 1 Oct 2026.
Avoiding Fines
Failure to submit a Building Tune‑Up Summary Report can result in a Notice of Violation and escalating penalties issued six months and one year after the deadline; larger buildings face even higher fines.
How Holaday-Parks Can Help Building Owners
Holaday‑Parks is a certified tune‑up specialist that manages the entire process—from assessment and corrective actions to reporting—so owners stay compliant and realize the financial benefits of better efficiency with less hassle.
Capital planning: most corrective actions are low‑cost and pay back quickly.
Operational disruption: tune‑ups focus on operational tweaks rather than major retrofits.
Coordination and reporting: specialists streamline compliance paperwork and scheduling.
Asset value: regular tune‑ups improve energy scores and can boost building valuation.
