Building Energy Laws

Local Law 97 (LL97) requires most buildings larger than 25,000 gross square feet to meet annual carbon emissions limits or complete prescriptive energy conservation measures. Most buildings were required to start complying with this law starting in 2024. 

There are two main compliance pathways for building covered under LL97:

• The Article 320 pathway requires buildings meet annual carbon limits. These carbon limits become more stringent over a series of compliance periods through 2049. These compliance periods are: 2024-29; 2030-34; 2035-39; 200-49; and 2050
• The Article 321 pathway — which is only available to certain types of affordable housing, multifamily buildings with more than 35% rent regulated units, and houses of worship — must choose to complete a one-time checklist of 13 prescriptive energy conservation measures (PECMs) or meet the law's 2030 carbon limits for that property.

You can check if your building is required to comply with LL97 by searching the Covered Buildings List published by the Department of Buildings.

Applies to:

• Buildings that are 25,000 square feet or larger
• Affordable housing

Local Law 84 (LL84) requires most buildings larger than 25,000 gross square feet to submit data on their annual energy and water consumption. This law was passed in 2009 and most buildings started to submit data in 2012, which has resulted in a large historical dataset that informs building owners and occupants on how to make their buildings more efficient. Building owners must submit this data using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager by May 1st of each year.

You can check if your building is required to submit LL84 data by searching the Covered Buildings List published by the Department of Buildings.

Applies to:

• Buildings that are 25,000 square feet or larger
• Affordable housing

Local Law 33 (LL33), amended by Local Law 95 (LL95), requires building owners to publicly display Building Energy Efficiency Ratings at building entrances. These ratings include a 1-100 ENERGY STAR® score and a corresponding letter grade to give New Yorkers a snapshot of the building's energy performance. Building ratings and grades are based on the energy use data submitted by building through their Local Law 84 reporting.

Only buildings required to submit data as part of Local Law 84 receive a Building Energy Efficiency Rating. 

Applies to:

• Buildings that are 25,000 square feet or larger
• Affordable housing

Local Law 87 (LL87) requires most buildings larger than 50,000 gross square feet  to undergo energy audits and retro-commissioning every ten years. This law was passed in 2009 buildings started to submit data in 2012, which has resulted in a large historical dataset that identifies key building systems and  opportunities to reduce the amount of energy consumed. 

You can check if your building is required to submit LL87 data by searching the Covered Buildings List published by the Department of Buildings.

Applies to: 

• Buildings that are 50,000 square feet or larger

Local Law 88 (LL88), Local Law 132 (LL132), and Local Law 134 (LL134) require all buildings exceeding 25,000 gross square feet to upgrade all lighting in commercial buildings and common areas of residential buildings by January 1, 2025. Submeters must be installed in all non-residential tenant space exceeding 5,000 square feet. Monthly statements must be provided to tenants showing amounts for electricity measured and charged.
In 2025, DOB granted certain extensions to LL88 requirements. For those that received extensions, all LL88 measures must be completed by May 1, 2026.

You can check if your building still needs to submit compliance with LL88 by searching the Covered Buildings List published by the Department of Buildings.

Applies to:

• Buildings that are 25,000 square feet or larger
• New construction
• Affordable housing

Local Laws 92 (LL92) and Local Law 94 (LL94) of 2019 require all new buildings and existing buildings undergoing major roof renovations — where the entire existing roof deck or roof assembly is being replaced — to be entirely covered with solar panels, a green roof or a combination of the two. Exceptions apply to certain areas of roof space competing for other uses like mechanical equipment and fire access pathways.

To learn more about these requirements visit the Department of Buildings website. 

Applies to: 

• All buildings

Local Law 154 (LL154), also known as the “All-Electric New Buildings Law,” phases out the usage of fossil fuels in new buildings for space heating, hot water, domestic cooking ranges and clothes dryers. LL154 phases in requirements generally by building height, with buildings under 7 stories needing to comply as of 2024, and buildings with 7 or more stories required to comply beginning July 2027. There are some exceptions or altered timelines for domestic hot water and buildings with at least 50% affordable housing units.
 
You can see the full list of covered buildings, the phase-out timeline and list of exemptions on the Department of Buildings website.  

Local Law 32 (LL32) of 2023 prohibits the use of fuel oil number 4 (No. 4 oil) in City buildings as of July 1, 2025, and in all new and existing buildings starting July 1, 2027. As of June 30, 2024, the Department of Buildings (DOB) no longer issues or renews permits for No. 4 oil. Failure to comply with this mandate could result in penalties of up to $10,000 for property owners.

Applies to: 

• All buildings