NYC Department of Buildings Finalizes Local Law 97 Emissions Rules
New York City adopted final rules for Local Law 97, defining 2024–2029 carbon caps, penalties, and compliance pathways for covered buildings.
Executive briefing: On December 18, 2023 the New York City Department of Buildings issued final rules implementing Local Law 97 of 2019. The rules detail greenhouse gas emissions limits for 2024–2029, outline penalties up to $268 per metric ton above the cap, and provide flexibility through decarbonization plans and clean energy credits.
Key compliance signals
- Emissions caps. Covered buildings over 25,000 square feet must meet emissions limits based on occupancy classification.
- Penalties and relief. Owners exceeding caps face annual fines but may qualify for mitigated penalties by submitting decarbonization plans and demonstrating good-faith efforts.
- Reporting. Annual emissions reports are due May 1 each year starting in 2025 for 2024 data.
Control alignment
- Emissions inventory. Update building energy models and metering to track Local Law 97 carbon metrics.
- Capital planning. Align retrofit projects, electrification, and renewable procurement with compliance pathways.
- Governance. Engage facility managers, legal teams, and tenants on roles in meeting emissions caps.
Action checklist
- Conduct a Local Law 97 gap analysis for each covered property.
- Develop decarbonization plans addressing short-term emissions exceedances before 2027.
- Integrate compliance tracking into corporate ESG reporting frameworks.
Sources
Zeph Tech guides New York building portfolios through Local Law 97 compliance, emissions tracking, and retrofit sequencing.