On January 1, 2029, fluorescent tubes and CFLs come off the shelves in Washington — and Clean Buildings compliance deadlines began in June 2026 for the largest commercial buildings, with the next tier due 1 June 2027. If your building still runs on fluorescent lighting, the smart money retrofits on your schedule, not the deadline's.
Plan the upgrade. Don't get caught by the clock.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| June 1, 2026 (passed) | Clean Buildings compliance was due — buildings over 220,000 sq ft |
| June 1, 2027 | Clean Buildings — 90,000–220,000 sq ft |
| July 1, 2027 | Clean Buildings Tier 2 reporting — 20,000–50,000 sq ft + multifamily over 20,000 sq ft |
| June 1, 2028 | Clean Buildings — 50,000–90,000 sq ft |
| Jan 1, 2029 | Sale of CFL and linear fluorescent lamps prohibited in WA (HB 1185) |
| July 1, 2029 | Retailers' existing fluorescent stock sell-through ends |
Sources: WA Dept. of Commerce — Clean Buildings · HB 1185 session law
What HB 1185 actually prohibits, what's exempt, and why "we'll just stock up on tubes" is a plan with an expiration date.
Occupancy, vacancy, and daylight-responsive controls — what they do, where the energy code wants them, and what a retrofit actually involves.
Fixture-for-fixture swaps, tube conversions, and full redesigns — matched to your building and budget, with utility rebates factored in.
Daylight zones, photocells, and automatic dimming that satisfy the energy code and cut the bill at the same time.
This site explains what the 2029 ban and the Clean Buildings deadlines mean for a commercial building, drawing on practical electrical-industry experience in the Puget Sound area. It is published as information, not as contracting services: the walkthrough, the design and the installation itself are work for a qualified electrical contractor licensed in your jurisdiction.
If something here is unclear, or you want help understanding how it applies to your building, send a question and we will answer it.
Compliance information summarized from Washington state sources linked above; verify requirements for your specific building with the Department of Commerce or your code authority. This page is general information, not legal advice.