Local Law 33 / Local Law 95
What is New York City Local Law 33 as amended by Local Law 95?
Local Law 33 of 2018 amended the Administrative Code of the City of New York in relation to energy efficiency scores and grades for buildings required to benchmark their energy and water consumption. Energy efficiency scores and grades for these buildings shall be obtained, assigned, and disclosed in accordance with the new section §28-309.12 annually, based on benchmarking reporting consistent with Federal energy efficiency standards.
An energy efficiency score is the 1-100 ENERGY STAR® Score that a building earns using the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s online benchmarking tool, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager®, to compare building energy performance to similar buildings in similar climates. As per Local Law 95 of 2019, grades based on ENERGY STAR® energy efficiency scores will be assigned as follows:
A – Score is equal to or greater than 85
B – Score is equal to or greater than 70 but less than 85
C – Score is equal to or greater than 55 but less than 70
D – Score is less than 55
F – Building did not submit required benchmarking information
N – Building exempted from benchmarking or not covered by the ENERGY STAR® program
The energy label will include both a letter grade and the energy efficiency score for the building.
The Building Energy Efficiency Rating label will be available annually in the DOB NOW Public Portal covered building property profile on October 1.
The Building Energy Efficiency Rating label will be available annually in the DOB NOW Public Portal covered building property profile on October 1.
Buildings exempted from benchmarking or not covered by the ENERGY STAR® program:
– Multifamily buildings with less than 20 units, enclosed parking, or other property types that are not eligible to receive a 1-100 ENERGY STAR® Score
– Some mixed use buildings – a multi-use proper ty can receive the ENERGY STAR® Score, but these two conditions apply:
1. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the Gross Floor Area (GFA) of the property must be comprised of property types that are eligible for an ENERGY STAR® Score
2. More than fifty percent (50%) of the GFA must be comprised of one eligible property type (excluding parking)
– Buildings that contain a data center, television studio, and/ or trading floor that together exceed ten percent (10%) of the GFA
FAQs
What is Local Law 33/95, and what does it require?
Local Law 33/95 mandates that buildings over 25,000 square feet display an energy efficiency grade (A to F) based on Local Law 84 benchmarking data.
How is the energy efficiency grade determined?
Grades are based on ENERGY STAR scores derived from annual energy and water usage reported under Local Law 84.
Where must the energy grade be posted?
The grade must be prominently displayed at all public entrances of covered buildings.
What is the purpose of LL33/95?
It promotes transparency about building energy performance, encouraging owners to improve efficiency to achieve better grades.
What are the penalties for LL33/95 non-compliance?
Fines of $500 per quarter, up to $2,000 annually, are imposed for failing to post the energy grade.
When is the LL33/95 compliance deadline?
Grades must be posted annually by October 31, based on the previous year’s benchmarking data.
Who is responsible for LL33/95 compliance?
Building owners or managers must ensure grades are calculated and displayed correctly.
Can a low energy grade impact property value?
A lower grade (e.g., D or F) may signal inefficiency, potentially affecting tenant perceptions and property marketability.
How can owners improve their building’s energy grade?
Implement energy-saving measures like HVAC upgrades, lighting retrofits, and insulation improvements identified in LL87 audits.
Does LL33/95 apply to all buildings?
It applies to buildings over 25,000 square feet, with exemptions for certain industrial or low-occupancy buildings.
Contact
info@chaptergreencompliance.com
Phone
516-865-4550
