Maryland Building Energy Performance Standards are Here!

For many building owners, 2026 will be the first real checkpoint.

May 1, 2026

BEPS are here, and it is more than a compliance exercise. June 1 is the deadline.

Maryland’s new Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) are here, and for many building owners, 2026 will be the first real checkpoint. Maryland’s BEPS, established under the Climate Solutions Now Act, requires certain covered commercial and multifamily buildings to meet specific energy use intensity (EUI) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets over defined compliance cycles. The program mandates benchmarking, performance tracking, and phase reductions with final penalties for non-compliance.

Most buildings in Maryland with 35,000 SF or more (with certain exclusions) are required to benchmark and report building energy and performance standards. In addition, if you have several buildings grouped together on the same property that, individually, are under 35,000 SF but, together, meet or exceed 35,000 SF and are mechanically connected, they also need to be benchmarked and reported. The BEPS cover about 9,000 buildings statewide.

So, what does that mean?

If you own or manage a covered building of 35,000 SF or larger, your 2025 benchmarking data must be third-party verified before submission by June 1, 2026, and every 5 years thereafter.

It is also important to note that many owners are already facing more aggressive local requirements. For example, Montgomery County, MD, applies its BEPS to buildings 25,000 SF and larger and is targeting zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. The County established baselines using prior benchmarking data and evaluates buildings against interim targets over time, creating a more accelerated compliance path compared to the statewide program.

Key items to keep in mind.

  • First BEPS verification deadline: June 1, 2026, for 2025 data
  • Ongoing cycle: Every 5 years at the state level vs. more aggressive local timelines
  • Applies to: Commercial and multifamily buildings 35,000 SF and larger
  • Goal: Accurate, validated data submitted to MDE

BEPS is more than a compliance exercise. It is an opportunity to understand building performance better and identify efficiency improvements.

At Arium AE, we are already supporting clients through this process. Our approach is grounded in MEP engineering experience across commercial, multifamily, and mission-critical facilities. That background helps us validate benchmarking data with a practical understanding of how buildings actually perform, identifying gaps, anomalies, and inconsistencies that can impact compliance.
We have also been providing third-party ENERGY STAR verification for over 10 years, making BEPS a natural extension of that work.

We can help! If you are starting to think about your strategy or navigating both state and local requirements, contact Scott Walthour, Principal and Lead MEP Engineer, by email or at 410-730-2300. Our team is available and ready to help you.

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