This study finds that California regulations mandate a higher quality of commissioning and regulations that are more enforceable. The authors identify the elements that are crucial to supporting better-commissioned buildings as outputs-focused regulation (not input based); regulation and process clarity; commissioning agents and building official training; and acknowledgement of the financial burden of upholding more complex building regulations. For the full benefit of commissioning to be realized, policy and regulations for existing buildings will be required, according to the authors.