NYC Local Law 88 (LL88) requires applicable buildings over 25,000 square feet to upgrade lighting systems to meet prescribed energy efficiency requirements. Certain non-residential tenant spaces over 5,000 square feet must also be equipped with electrical sub-meters, with monthly energy usage information provided to tenants.
These requirements are designed to improve building energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and support New York City’s carbon reduction goals. Compliance requirements and deadlines may vary based on building type and applicability, making proper planning and timely action essential.
The original Local Law 88 compliance deadline was January 1, 2025. NYC subsequently provided extensions for eligible buildings:
Building owners who have not yet completed their Local Law 88 requirements should take action to address outstanding compliance obligations and potential violations.
Complying with NYC Local Law 88 generally involves the following steps:
Determine Applicability
Confirm whether your building and applicable tenant spaces are subject to LL88 lighting and submetering requirements.
Develop a Compliance Plan
Evaluate existing lighting and electrical systems, identify required upgrades, and establish a plan for completing the necessary work.
Complete Lighting Upgrades
Upgrade applicable lighting systems and controls to meet LL88 and applicable energy efficiency requirements.
Install Electrical Submeters
Install submeters in applicable non-residential tenant spaces and establish procedures for providing tenants with required energy usage information.
Inspection & Filing
Verify that the required work has been completed and submit the necessary compliance documentation to the NYC Department of Buildings.
SFE provides comprehensive Local Law 88 compliance support, from initial building assessment and upgrade planning to inspection, certification, and DOB filing. Our experienced engineering team works with building owners and property managers throughout the process to help address outstanding requirements and achieve compliance.
Failure to meet Local Law 88 lighting and submetering requirements may result in ongoing annual penalties until compliance is achieved.
Failure to file the required lighting upgrade report or submetering report may result in a penalty of $1,500 per year for each outstanding report. In addition, failure to install required electrical submeters may result in a penalty of $500 per missing submeter per year until all required submeters are installed and compliance is achieved.
Since many buildings in NYC depend on a single meter to monitor electricity consumption, non-residential tenants are typically billed a standard rate regardless of their actual consumption. The installation of sub-meters would make actual energy use information available to tenants regularly, which would likely reduce their energy consumption and contribute to achieving significant energy savings.
Local Law 87 primarily focuses on energy audits and retro-commissioning for existing buildings 50,000 square feet or more, while Local Law 97 applies to buildings that are 25,000 square feet or larger and focuses on limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
Exemptions or waivers may be available under certain circumstances, such as financial hardship or technical feasibility issues. However, these exemptions typically require approval from the NYC Department of Buildings. Building owners should carefully review the eligibility criteria and application process for any exemptions.
For more information about Local Law 88, including updates, requirements, and compliance assistance, visit the official website of the NYC Department of Buildings or consult with legal and engineering experts familiar with LL88 compliance.
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