City Council May Extend Gas Pipe Inspection Deadline

The first cycle filing window for NYC Local Law 152 of 2016, which requires the inspection of gas piping systems at least once every four years, is coming due on Dec. 31, 2020—unless the City Council passes a bill to extend the deadline. Currently, owners of buildings in Community Districts 1, 3, and 10 in all boroughs must have their gas piping systems inspected by a Licensed Master Plumber (LMP) and the inspection certification submitted to the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) by Dec. 31, 2020, or risk facing a Class 2 violation that carries a $10,000 civil penalty.

City Council Members Dromm, Cornegy, Kallos, Gjonaj, and Brannan and the Public Advocate Jumaane Williams are sponsors of Intro. No. 2151-A, a bill that would extend the Dec. 31, 2020, inspection deadline for buildings in CD 1, 3, and 10 in all boroughs to June 30, 2021. The bill provides that for buildings inspected between Sept. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020, the certification of correction may be submitted later than 120 days or later than 180 days following the inspection date, as applicable, but no later than June 30, 2021.

This bill would also require DOB to conduct targeted outreach regarding the requirements of Local Law 152 of 2016, submit a report describing the methods of targeted outreach employed by the agency, and solicit public comments related to the implementation of Local Law 152 of 2016.