Local Law 88
Local Law 88, enacted in 2009, its 2016 expansions Local Laws 132 and 134, and Chapter 3 of the NYC Administrative Code amended in 2023, set forth requirements for energy efficiency in New York City buildings.
These laws mandate that:
Common areas within Residential Buildings that exceed 25,000 sq ft in floor area, and all spaces of non-residential buildings that exceed 25,000 sq ft in floor area must upgrade their lighting systems and lighting controls to comply with the current NYC Energy Conservation Code by 2025.
Non-residential buildings exceeding 25,000 sq ft must install electrical submeters for each tenant space over 5,000 sq ft and issue monthly energy statements.
Two or more buildings on the same tax lot that together exceed 100,000 sq ft will comply with LL 132 and LL 134.
Two or more buildings held in condominium ownership that together exceed 100,000 sq ft will comply with LL 132 and LL 134.
The deadline for meeting both lighting and sub-metering requirements is 2025.
Key Points on Submetering
(Local Law 132 and NYC 2022 Admin code 28-311)
Installing meters and providing detailed monthly usage statements.
For floors with multiple tenants sharing a meter, statements must specify each tenant’s energy consumption and the percentage of the floor area they occupy.
If a floor has multiple tenancies with each tenancy being 5,000 sq ft or less, a tenant may have a separate sub-meter, share a sub-meter with other tenant spaces on the floor, or share a sub-meter covering the entire floor.
Exceptions to Lighting Upgrades
(Local Law 134 and NYC 2022 Admin code 28-310)
Lighting Systems within Dwelling Units classified in occupancy groups R-2 and R-3.
A space classified in occupancy group A-3 within a house of worship.
Lighting components installed after July 1, 2010, and lighting power densities in effect for these systems that were installed in compliance with the NYC energy code.
