Understanding NYC’s Local Law 97: Compliance and Exemptions for Garden-Style Apartments

New York City’s groundbreaking Local Law 97 mandates that certain buildings meet carbon emissions limits or face fines. The first compliance period began on January 1, 2024, and the initial emissions reports are due to the Department of Buildings (DOB) during Spring 2025. 

However, owners of garden-style apartment buildings might be able to receive exemptions from the law. If your property meets all of the specific criteria below, it may be exempt from LL97 requirements. Here are the qualifications: 

• Your property is no more than three stories high 

• Each apartment unit maintains its own HVAC and hot water systems  

• No individual system serves more than 25,000 gross square feet 

• The NYC Department of Finance (DOF) tax records classify the covered building as a residential Property Type 

• You have proof of the occupancy group on the Certificate of Occupancy (CO) 

If your property meets all these conditions and is certified by a registered design professional (RDP) like Bright Power, it is not subject to LL97 requirements. It is important to note that the Department of Buildings will not grant this exemption automatically; properties must engage an RDP to prove eligibility. And this exemption applies to all pathways under the law! 

Do you think your property qualifies? It’s time to act! Reach out to your Bright Power Account Manager for more information. As we approach deadlines for 2025’s LL97 reporting, it is crucial to secure your LL97 service provider. 

Got questions? Ask our team of experts here.