The NYC building code evolves continuously through local laws, rule changes, and code revisions. Here are the most significant changes affecting property owners, developers, and construction professionals in 2026.
Local Law 97: Carbon Emission Limits Take Effect
The most consequential change: Local Law 97's first compliance period began in 2024, and 2025 was the first year buildings could face penalties. In 2026, enforcement is fully underway. Buildings over 25,000 square feet must meet carbon emission intensity limits or face annual penalties of $268 per metric ton of CO2 over the limit.
Key compliance pathways:
- Energy efficiency upgrades: Insulation, windows, LED lighting, HVAC modernization
- Electrification: Replacing fossil fuel heating with heat pumps
- Renewable energy: Solar installations, renewable energy credits
- Prescriptive pathway: Implementing specific measures from the approved prescriptive list
RegWatch now includes Local Law 97 compliance data in property profiles. sign up free to check any building's compliance status.
Local Law 154 of 2021: All-Electric New Buildings
Under Local Law 154 of 2021, new buildings must be all-electric — the law phases out on-site fossil fuel combustion in new construction (buildings under seven stories since 2024; taller buildings from 2027), eliminating gas connections for cooking and heating. This affects new building permits and major alteration filings.
Updated Fire Safety Requirements
Recent amendments have strengthened fire safety requirements:
- Lithium-ion battery storage: New rules for e-bike and e-scooter battery charging and storage in residential buildings, responding to the increase in battery fires
- Sprinkler system upgrades: Expanded requirements for sprinkler systems in certain building types
- Fire alarm modernization: Updated standards for fire alarm systems, including voice communication capabilities
Facade Inspection Program Updates
FISP (Facade Inspection and Safety Program) continues its rolling cycle. Building owners should verify their filing deadlines and ensure compliance. Recent updates include:
- Updated qualification requirements for Qualified Exterior Wall Inspectors
- Clarified reporting requirements for close-up inspections
- Stricter enforcement of unsafe condition remediation timelines
Accessibility Requirements
NYC continues to strengthen accessibility requirements beyond ADA minimums:
- Expanded accessibility requirements for commercial tenant spaces
- Updated standards for accessible routes in existing buildings undergoing renovation
- Enhanced requirements for accessible dwelling units in new construction
Sustainability and Energy
- Solar/green roof requirements: New buildings and major roof replacements increasingly must include solar panels, green roofs, or a combination
- Energy benchmarking: Annual energy use reporting requirements continue for buildings over 25,000 sq ft (Local Law 84)
- Energy efficiency scores: Energy grades must be posted near building entrances (Local Law 33)
What Property Owners Should Do
- Review your buildings for LL97 compliance — calculate your carbon emissions vs. the 2024-2029 limits
- Check FISP filing deadlines — determine which cycle your building falls in
- Review fire safety systems — ensure compliance with updated lithium-ion battery rules
- Budget for upgrades — energy efficiency improvements have significant upfront costs but reduce ongoing penalties
- Monitor regulatory changes — use RegWatch portfolio monitoring to stay on top of compliance requirements
Checking Building Compliance
RegWatch property profiles include violation history, permit activity, and compliance status across multiple regulatory frameworks. Start with a free violation lookup to see the current compliance picture for any NYC property.