The Standards apply to any new construction that requires a building permit, whether for an entire building, for outdoor lighting systems, for signs, or for a modernization. The primary enforcement mechanism is through the building permitting process. Until the building department is satisfied that the building, outdoor lighting, or sign complies with all applicable code requirements, including the Standards, it may withhold the building permit (or, after construction, the occupancy permit).
The Standards apply only to the construction that is the subject of the building permit application (with the exception of existing spaces that are "conditioned" for the first time, in which case existing envelope and lighting systems also must show compliance with the Standards). Other than for lighting, the Standards apply only to buildings that are directly or indirectly conditioned by mechanical heating or mechanical cooling. Section 1.7.15 provides detailed definitions of these terms.