Loading...
BlogCompliance
Local Laws 97 and 84: Your May 1 Deadline Is 27 Days Away
NYC's biggest annual sustainability filing deadline is May 1, 2026. Here's what building owners need to know about Local Law 97 emissions reporting and Local Law 84 benchmarking before the clock runs out.
By Ora Property ManagementApril 4, 20263 min read
In This Article
May 1, 2026 is one of the most consequential dates on the NYC building compliance calendar. Two major sustainability laws share this deadline — and missing either one means quarterly fines that keep stacking until you file. If your building is 25,000 square feet or larger, here's exactly what you need to do before the clock runs out.
1. Who This Applies To
Both laws cover buildings on NYC's Covered Buildings List (CBL), maintained by the Department of Buildings. Your property qualifies if it meets any of these:
- A single building 25,000+ gross square feet
- Two or more buildings on the same tax lot totaling 100,000+ sq ft
- Two or more condo buildings under the same board totaling 100,000+ sq ft
Not sure if you're on the list? Search your address on the CBL before anything else.
2. What Local Law 84 Requires
Local Law 84 is NYC's annual energy and water benchmarking requirement. Here's what you must do:
- Enter your building's full 2025 energy and water data into EPA ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
- Share the property record with NYC through the BEAM platform
- Receive a confirmation from the City — submission alone does not complete compliance
The fine for missing May 1: $500 per quarter, every quarter, until the filing is accepted.
3. What Local Law 97 Requires
Local Law 97 is NYC's building emissions law. For 2026, you must:
- File an annual greenhouse gas emissions compliance report for calendar year 2025
- Have the report certified by a Registered Design Professional
- Submit through DOB NOW: BEAM by May 1
There is a grace period: DOB accepts filings through June 30, 2026, and you can request an extension to August 29 — but that extension request must itself be submitted by June 30. Extensions granted in 2025 do not carry over.
4. Local Law 88 Is Also Due May 1
Worth noting: Local Law 88 — lighting upgrades and electric submetering — also comes due May 1 for covered buildings. If you haven't filed your LL88 compliance report yet, add it to this deadline. Fees are paid through DOB NOW: Safety.
5. The Two Mistakes That Sink Most Filings
Missing a meter. Buildings with multiple tenant meters must aggregate total annual consumption across every fuel type. One missing account can invalidate the entire submission.
Skipping the confirmation step. Submitting data inside Portfolio Manager is not the finish line. You must actively share the property with NYC, wait for it to process through BEAM, and receive confirmation. Without it, the penalty clock keeps running.
6. Your Practical Deadline Is Mid-April — Not May 1
The DOB recommends sharing your data at least 15 business days before May 1 to allow time for processing, validation, and corrections. That puts your real action deadline around April 10–11. If you haven't started, this week is the week.
7. What to Do Right Now
- Check the CBL to confirm which of your buildings are covered
- Log into Portfolio Manager and verify your property record is set up correctly
- Gather 12 months of utility data for 2025 — electricity, gas, delivered fuels
- Identify your Registered Design Professional for the LL97 certification
- Share data with NYC well ahead of April 15 to leave time for corrections
At Ora, sustainability compliance is built into how we manage every property — not an afterthought before a deadline. Our [compliance and advisory services](/services/rentals) track every filing deadline for you. If you're not sure where your building stands on LL97 or LL84, now is the time to find out.
Continue Reading
Have a Question About Your Property?
We’re always happy to talk — no commitment required.