As a new decade begins, we are in for another year full of compliances, avoiding expensive fines, and moving towards a carbon free future. The Cotocon Group has compiled a list of Local Law compliances that New York City building Owners must comply with in the year 2021.
- Feb 1st– Quarterly Benchmarking Deadline (Local Law 84/133)
- May 1st– Annual Benchmarking Deadline (Local Law 84/133)
- Aug 1st – Quarterly Benchmarking Deadline (Local Law 84/133)
- Oct 1st– Annual Building Energy Efficiency Label Deadline (Local Law 33/95)
- Nov 1ST– Quarterly Benchmarking Deadline (Local Law 84/133)
- Dec 31st– 2021 LL87 Deadline (Local Law 87)
- Dec 31st– Buildings in community districts 2,5,7,13, and 18 in all boroughs must be inspected before this date (Local Law 152)
Understanding NYC Building Compliance: An Overview
Since the critical mission is to address environmental challenges and transform urban infrastructure, New York City’s building compliance landscape has evolved dramatically. Instead, these are more than bureaucratic requirements: they are strategic initiatives aimed at significantly cutting the city’s carbon footprint and building a sustainable urban environment. Compliance laws are now powerful mechanisms to force meaningful change, and building owners are pivotal in the city’s ambitious environmental transformation.
This is of great environmental importance. About 70 percent of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions are from its buildings, which makes them a prime target for sustainability efforts. By implementing stringent compliance requirements, the city hopes to dramatically reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency and healthy living and working spaces. These aren’t just punitive laws but strategic investments in the city’s long-term environmental and economic resilience.
NYC Local Laws Building Owners Must Comply With
Building owners must also be wary of various laws that are in effect or coming in the near future and must prepare accordingly. Following are some of the examples.
- NYC Local Law 55 – The bill requires landlords to prevent and remove indoor health hazards that can trigger asthma such as mold and pests, as well as mandating the use of safe and effective methods to ensure long-term success. Landlords are required to inspect every apartment and building common area at least once a year.
- NYC Local Law 94 – New York City’s Local Law 94 of 2019, passed under the New York City Climate Mobilization Act, requires the inclusion of a green roofing zone in new construction and for buildings undergoing certain major renovations. This roofing zone must be comprised of a photovoltaic (PV) electricity generating system (Solar Panels) or a green roof.
- NYC Local Law 97 – Beginning in 2024, buildings over 25,000 square feet will have to meet carbon emissions limits based on the facility’s occupancy group type. The New York City Council passed the Climate Mobilization Act, which is an ambitious package of legislation to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80% by 2050. This “Green New Deal” will take effect in 2024 and is comprised of eleven pieces of legislation, but the centerpiece is the carbon emissions limits law for large NYC buildings (Local Law 97 of 2019). It is advised that the building owners start preparing for these laws now!
- Local Law 84/133: Benchmarking Requirements defines a robust framework for capturing and reporting building energy consumption. Property owners must provide detailed energy usage data to allow for comparative analysis and determine efficiency improvement opportunities. This transparency leads to market-wide improvements by creating accountability and clear metrics on energy performance.
- Local Law 33/95: Energy Efficiency Labeling brings transparency to evaluating and communicating building energy performance. Like nutrition labels for food, these efficiency ratings give an immediate sense of a building’s environmental impact. Property owners are provided with standardized metrics that potential tenants, investors, and stakeholders can easily understand and evaluate.
- Local Law 87: Energy audits and retro-commissioning mandate periodic, comprehensive building systems assessments. These audits involve more than surface-level inspections; they analyze mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to find inefficiencies and suggest targeted improvements. The goal is continuous improvement in building performance, reducing energy waste and operating costs.
- Local Law 152: Gas piping inspection focuses on extensively inspecting gas infrastructure, which addresses critical safety concerns. Mandatory inspections play a critical role in preventing potential hazards and improving the integrity of gas systems to protect building occupants from the potential risk of aging or poorly maintained infrastructure.
Preparing for Compliance: A Strategic Approach
A systematic, proactive strategy is necessary for successful compliance. The first step property owners should take is to conduct comprehensive building assessments and identify where they are now and where they can go regarding current performance levels and areas for improvement. This involves working with qualified professionals who can get the picture down to the dot by performing detailed evaluations of existing systems and infrastructure.
A robust compliance strategy requires developing a multi-year plan prioritizing necessary upgrades and improvements. This makes strategic budget allocation possible while investments are spread over time, minimizing the financial strain. Advanced management platforms allow for real-time tracking of energy consumption, maintenance requirements, and compliance deadlines.
The Financial Aspects of Non-Compliance
Failure to consider compliance requirements can lead to very significant financial consequences. Fines can potentially be in the thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars, or more, depending on the severity and duration of the violation. Proactive compliance, however, has a long-term financial benefit by reducing operational costs, maintaining property value, and even creating tax incentives for sustainable improvements.
Successful Compliance Tips
This complex landscape needs specialists. Property owners are strongly advised to work with professional consultants who are NYC building compliance experts. Expertise in these areas allows for tailored guidance in developing elaborate compliance strategies and meticulous documentation.
Best practices involve tracking inspections, upgrades, and compliance efforts in as much detail and organization. Robust digital documentation systems are implemented to easily track and retrieve vital information quickly during regulatory reviews.
Conclusion
Successful compliance is an ongoing process requiring continuous education, proactive management, and a commitment to sustainability. By embracing these local laws and regulations as opportunities for improvement rather than burdensome requirements, property owners can contribute to New York City’s environmental goals while enhancing their properties’ value and performance.
