Reminder: Post Building Energy Efficiency Rating Label by Oct. 31

Owners of buildings over 25,000 square feet – or multiple buildings on a lot that total 100,000 square feet or more – that appear on the NYC Benchmarking Covered Building List for Compliance in 2021 must post the Building Energy Efficiency Rating Label that includes the building’s 2020 energy efficiency grade by Oct. 31. This is required by Local Law 33 of 2018 as amended by Local Law 95 of 2019.

The backdrop: The requirement that some owners must post their building energy efficiency rating label is the latest in a series of requirements intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute toward NYC's goal of reducing emissions 80 percent from 2005 levels by 2050.

NYC's Benchmarking Law (LL84/09) requires owners of individual buildings larger than 50,000 SF, or groups of buildings on a single lot larger than 100,000 SF, to measure their energy and water consumption annually in a process called benchmarking. Water, electricity, gas, and fuel or steam usage are collected and tracked by the city to help owners use less energy and save money.            

In 2016, NYC passed Local Law 133, which expands the list of buildings required to benchmark to include buildings mid-sized buildings 25,000 to 50,000 SF in size.

And Local Law 95 of 2019, which amended Local Law 33 of 2018, requires owners to print and display the building Energy Efficiency Rating Label in a conspicuous location near each public entrance within 30 days after Oct. 1 of every year.

What you need to know: The DOB began issuing violations for noncompliance with this law this past April. The penalty for failure to display the building’s Energy Efficiency Rating Label is a DOB violation and a fine of $1,250.

The label isn't automatically mailed to the owner. It's available for printing on Oct. 1 on the DOB website. Owners must print the label through the Building Energy Efficiency Rating tab in the DOB NOW Public Portal at www.nyc.gov/dobnow.

The label must be "displayed in a conspicuous location near each public entrance." For more details about required sizing, posting location, and height, you can read the DOB-issued FAQ.