Why Local Law 87 Matters for NYC Building Owners

New York City has one of the largest inventories of aging buildings in the country. Many mechanical and electrical systems operate far below optimal efficiency.

Local Law 87 NYC was created to:

• • Reduce unnecessary energy waste
• • Lower long-term operating costs
• • Improve system performance and reliability
• • Support citywide carbon reduction goals

Unlike newer climate laws, Local Law 87 focuses on assessment and optimization rather than immediate penalties for energy use.

Common covered property types include:

• • Commercial office buildings
• • Mixed-use developments
• • Multifamily residential buildings
• • Hotels, hospitals, and institutional facilities

If your building is already subject to Local Law 97, it almost certainly falls under Local Law 87 as well.

Local Law 87 Due Dates and Compliance Cycle

Local Law 87 due dates are based on the last digit of your NYC tax block number.

Key timeline details:

• • Compliance cycle: Once every 10 years
• • Submission deadline: December 31 of your assigned year
• • Reports must be accepted by the New York City Department of Buildings

Waiting until your compliance year often leads to rushed audits, higher costs, and rejected filings. Most experienced owners begin the process 12–18 months in advance.

Local Law 87 Requirements

To achieve NYC Local Law 87 compliance, building owners must complete and submit the following components.

Local Law 87 Energy Audit

A Local Law 87 energy audit is a detailed professional evaluation of how your building uses energy. It includes analysis of:

• • HVAC equipment and controls
• • Lighting systems
• • Building envelope (walls, windows, roofs)
• • Domestic hot water systems
• • Utility bills and consumption patterns

The final deliverable is a Local Law 87 energy efficiency report that documents:

• • Current system performance
• • Identified inefficiencies
• • Recommended energy conservation measures (ECMs)
• • Estimated costs and potential savings

This report forms the foundation of your compliance filing.

Retro-Commissioning (RCx)

Retro-commissioning focuses on how building systems actually operate in real-world conditions.

RCx typically includes:

• • Functional testing of HVAC systems
• • Control sequence verification
• • Sensor calibration
• • Schedule optimization
• • Identification of operational conflicts

RCx is one of the most valuable parts of Local Law 87 because it often improves performance without major capital upgrades.

Local Law 87 Report Submission (DOB Filing)

After the audit and RCx are completed:

• • A certified professional prepares the Local Law 87 report
• • The report is uploaded to the DOB portal
• • Documentation must meet strict technical and formatting standards

Errors or missing data can result in rejection and enforcement action.

NYC Local Law 87 Compliance Challenges

Common issues building owners face include:

• • Confusing technical reports
• • Coordinating multiple vendors
• • Limited tenant access
• • Tight deadlines
• • Rejected DOB submissions

This is why many owners rely on Local Law 87 compliance consulting services instead of managing the process internally.

Local Law 87 vs Local Law 97

While related, these laws serve different purposes.

Category	Local Law 87	Local Law 97
Purpose	Identify inefficiencies	Reduce carbon emissions
Reporting Frequency	Every 10 years	Annual
Focus	Audits & RCx	Emissions caps
Penalties	Missed filings	Significant fines

Local Law 87 compliance often provides the operational insights needed to succeed under Local Law 97.

Why Choose LL87 Compliance Consulting Services?

Professional Local Law 87 compliance consulting ensures:

• • Accurate eligibility confirmation
• • Qualified energy audit and RCx professionals
• • DOB-compliant documentation
• • Clear timelines and accountability
• • Reduced compliance risk

A structured consulting approach allows building owners to stay focused on operations while experts manage technical requirements.

How to Choose a Local Law 87 Consultant

Look for providers with:

• • Proven NYC Local Law 87 experience
• • In-house energy audit and RCx capabilities
• • Deep knowledge of DOB filing procedures
• • Clear communication and reporting
• • Transparent pricing

Avoid firms that only provide audit reports without compliance support.

Local Law 87 Compliance Cost & Pricing Factors

Costs vary based on:

• • Building size and complexity
• • Number of systems and zones
• • Age and condition of equipment

Always compare value and scope—not just price.

Local Law 87 Energy Audit Companies NYC – What to Look For

Strong firms provide:

• • Single-point responsibility
• • DOB-accepted reporting
• • Ongoing compliance support
• • Alignment with long-term energy strategy

Local Law 87 Compliance Services Across New York City

The Cotocon Group provides Local Law 87 compliance consulting throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Our team understands borough-specific building typologies and DOB workflows, allowing us to deliver faster and more reliable compliance outcomes.

Complete LL87 Compliance Solutions by The Cotocon Group

We provide:

• • Eligibility review and compliance planning
• • Energy audit and retro-commissioning
• • Local Law 87 report preparation
• • DOB submission and follow-up
• • We act as your compliance partner—not just a reporting vendor.

Why Building Owners Trust The Cotocon Group

We provide:

• • NYC-focused compliance expertise
• • End-to-end service model
• • Clear communication without jargon
• • On-time, DOB-accepted filings
• • Strategic alignment with Local Law 97

Final Thoughts on Local Law 87 in New York City

LL87 compliance is more than a legal obligation. When handled correctly, it helps owners:

• Reduce energy costs
• Improve system performance
• Extend equipment life
• Prepare for future climate regulations

With experienced LL87 compliance consulting compliance becomes a strategic advantage—not a burden.