Energy & emissions — 3
Covered buildings must report annual greenhouse gas emissions and stay under category-specific carbon limits. The 2024–2029 limits are in effect now; stricter 2030 limits begin January 1, 2030.
How to comply (5 steps)
- Identify building occupancy category (residential, commercial, etc.) under LL97 rules
- Collect utility data (electricity, natural gas, steam, fuel oil) for the calendar year
- Convert energy use to greenhouse gas emissions using DOB conversion factors
- File annual emissions report via DOB NOW by May 1 of the following year
- If over limit, either purchase carbon offsets, make energy efficiency upgrades, or pay the penalty
Annual reporting of whole-building energy and water use to NYC via ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Data is published publicly on NYC Open Data.
How to comply (5 steps)
- Register the building in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
- Obtain whole-building energy and water data from utility (Con Ed, National Grid, NYC DEP)
- Calculate ENERGY STAR score and site/source energy use intensity (EUI)
- Submit data to NYC via the Portfolio Manager report submission tool
- Post the building's Energy Use Grade (A–F) in public view near each main entrance
Every ten years, covered buildings must complete an ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit and a retro-commissioning study, then file an Energy Efficiency Report (EER) with DOB.
How to comply (5 steps)
- Identify your filing year based on last digit of tax block (DOB publishes the table)
- Hire a registered design professional to perform the ASHRAE Level 2 audit
- Engage an RCx agent to complete the retro-commissioning study
- Submit the Energy Efficiency Report via DOB NOW before Dec 31 of your filing year
- Retain all backup documentation for 11 years for audit
Façade & exterior — 2
Every five years, a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) must inspect the building exterior and file a report classifying conditions as Safe, Safe With a Repair & Maintenance Program (SWARMP), or Unsafe.
How to comply (5 steps)
- Hire a licensed QEWI (architect or professional engineer certified by DOB)
- Schedule physical exterior inspection using scaffold drop, rope access, or aerial equipment
- Review QEWI report — determine if building is Safe, SWARMP, or Unsafe
- File FISP report via DOB NOW before the sub-cycle deadline for your block
- Remediate any Unsafe conditions immediately, repair SWARMP conditions before the next cycle
Owners must conduct annual visual parapet inspections and retain the inspection record. Unsafe parapets must be remedied within 90 days.
How to comply (5 steps)
- Conduct a visual inspection of all parapets from ground level and, where possible, roof level
- Document inspection date, inspector identity (can be owner or agent), and findings
- Retain inspection record for at least 6 years; available for DOB review on request
- If any defect is noted, hire a qualified contractor and remediate within 90 days
- File Immediate Notice of Unsafe Condition with DOB if collapse risk is present
Mechanical systems — 3
Every boiler must be inspected annually by an approved inspector, and the report must be filed with DOB within 45 days of the inspection.
How to comply (5 steps)
- Hire a DOB-approved boiler inspector (typically the boiler servicing contractor)
- Schedule annual internal and external inspection
- Address any defects found during inspection
- File the Boiler Inspection Report (BIR) via DOB NOW within 45 days of inspection
- Retain the inspection report and service records for 6 years
Category 1 (annual) inspections cover routine operational safety. Category 5 (five-year) inspections are comprehensive, including load testing and safety device verification.
How to comply (5 steps)
- Retain an elevator maintenance contractor and a third-party inspection agency
- Schedule Category 1 inspection annually, Category 5 inspection every five years
- Correct any defects noted on the ELV3 or ELV36 report within mandatory timeframe
- File inspection results via DOB NOW: Elevator portal
- Retain reports and service records for at least 6 years
Every four years, a licensed master plumber must inspect all exposed gas piping in public spaces and submit a Gas Piping Inspection Report to DOB.
How to comply (5 steps)
- Determine your community district's inspection year
- Hire a licensed master plumber (LMP)
- LMP inspects all visible gas piping in public spaces
- LMP completes Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection form
- Owner certifies and submits to DOB via DOB NOW before community district deadline
Fire & life safety — 1
Sprinkler systems must be inspected quarterly, tested annually, and internally inspected every 5 years per NFPA 25. Documentation must be retained and available to FDNY on request.
How to comply (5 steps)
- Contract with an FDNY-certified sprinkler maintenance company
- Quarterly: visual inspection of control valves, gauges, alarms
- Annually: full main drain test, antifreeze test, backflow test, dry pipe trip test (if applicable)
- Every 5 years: internal inspection of piping, standpipe hydrostatic test
- Retain certified inspection reports for 3 years minimum
Housing quality — 1
Owners must annually investigate apartments with children under 6 for deteriorated paint and lead hazards, and notify DOHMH of any chipping, flaking, or peeling paint conditions within specific timeframes.
How to comply (5 steps)
- Identify all dwelling units with children under 6 (annual tenant notice required)
- Complete annual visual inspection of those units for peeling/chipping/deteriorated paint
- Use only EPA-certified lead-safe renovators for repair work
- Perform XRF testing to identify lead-based paint before any work triggering EPA RRP rule
- Retain inspection logs and notices for at least 10 years
Environmental — 1
Each installed backflow prevention assembly must be tested annually by a licensed master plumber with DEP-approved backflow tester certification.
How to comply (5 steps)
- Hire a DEP-certified backflow tester (typically your plumbing contractor)
- Test every backflow prevention assembly on the water service
- Tester submits results electronically to DEP within 30 days
- Repair or replace any failing assembly and re-test
- Retain test records for at least 3 years
Registration & filing — 1
Owners must register annually with HPD, providing owner/agent contact info, number of units, and certain building characteristics. Failure to register blocks access to housing court and certain lending.
How to comply (5 steps)
- Create or log into an HPD Online account
- Confirm or update owner, agent, and property management information
- Verify unit counts, building characteristics, and any tax-exempt status
- Pay the $13 annual registration fee
- Print and post the HPD registration certificate inside the building
Frequently Asked Questions
How many compliance deadlines does a typical NYC building have?
Most residential buildings over 3 units have 6–8 recurring compliance obligations every year, plus 2–3 five-year cyclical filings like FISP and LL87. Commercial buildings add more (fire alarm, sprinkler, sometimes USTs, elevators). We track 12 of the most-cited NYC obligations — enough to cover the filings that create the overwhelming majority of DOB/HPD/ECB violations.
What happens if I miss one of these deadlines?
Most deadlines carry specific DOB/HPD/FDNY violation codes and escalating fines — typically $250–$1,000 per year for filing lapses, with some (like LL97 carbon penalties and ECB hearings) running into five figures. Unpaid penalties become judgment liens on the property, which appear on title searches and can block refinance or sale closings.
How do I find out which deadlines apply to my building?
Applicability depends on building size (square footage), occupancy type, building age, number of units, stories, mechanical systems, and location. RegWatch property reports include a personalized compliance calendar for each building based on its actual characteristics — so you see only the deadlines that apply, with due dates calculated from your building's FISP cycle, LL97 occupancy category, HPD registration history, and more.
Can you file these reports for me?
RegWatch is a data intelligence platform — we don't file compliance reports on your behalf, but we surface every upcoming deadline and flag every open violation so you know exactly what needs filing and when. We're building a service to introduce you to a licensed professional in your borough for each type of filing (façade engineers, boiler inspectors, energy consultants). Visit /compliance-cure to join the waitlist.
Where does this deadline data come from?
Every deadline on this page is sourced from the NYC Administrative Code, published DOB/HPD/DEP/FDNY rules, and the applicable local law. We cite the legal authority for each deadline and link to the official agency page. If you see an error or outdated info, email [email protected] — we update this catalog as laws and rules change.
What's the difference between LL84, LL87, and LL97?
LL84 (2009) requires annual energy and water benchmarking for 25,000+ sqft buildings. LL87 (2009) requires a full energy audit and retro-commissioning every 10 years for the same buildings. LL97 (2019) takes it further — setting hard carbon emission limits (not just reporting) with $268/tCO₂e penalties starting in 2024, and tighter limits in 2030. All three can apply to the same building simultaneously.
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