energy-grading

Buildings


Code DevelopmentNYC CodesSustainabilityReference

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction (LL97)
NYC Benchmarking Law (LL84)
Energy Grading (LL33)
Energy Audits & Retro-Commissioning (LL87)
Lighting Upgrades & Sub-Metering (LL88)
Solar & Green Roofs (LL92 & LL94)
Building Electrification (LL154)
NYC Energy Conservation Code

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction (LL97)

NYC Benchmarking Law (LL84)

Energy Grading (LL33)

Energy Audits & Retro-Commissioning (LL87)

Lighting Upgrades & Sub-Metering (LL88)

Solar & Green Roofs (LL92 & LL94)

Building Electrification (LL154)

NYC Energy Conservation Code


Local Law 33: Energy Grading

Local Law 33 of 2018 as amended requires buildings to post energy efficiency scores and grades. These energy efficiency scores and grades are assigned and disclosed annually in accordance with §28-309.12 of the NYC Administrative Code, based on benchmarking reporting consistent with Federal energy efficiency standards.

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 – for buildings that didn’t submit required benchmarking information;

N – for buildings exempted from benchmarking or not covered by the Energy Star program.

Covered Buildings

Owners of properties that are listed on the Covered Buildings List for benchmarking compliance as per NYC Department of Finance records.

Covered Buildings List (CBL)

Properties listed in the following Covered Buildings List are required to benchmark their 2023 calendar year energy and water consumption prior to May 1, 2024:

Covered Buildings List for Benchmarking Compliance in 2024 (Excel)

Covered Buildings List for Benchmarking Compliance in 2024 (PDF)

NOTE: The Covered Buildings List is sorted by the 10-digit borough, block, and lot number (BBL) of the property. To find your building on the list, select Control F (CTRL + F) on your computer keyboard to open a search dialog box, and enter the BBL of your property’

Exceptions/Exemptions

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 property can receive the ENERGY STAR Score, but these two conditions apply:

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; and

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 of the GFA

Properties with New Building or Demolition permits and no TCO in the applicable reporting year, or properties with an ownership change in the applicable reporting year may be eligible for a temporary exemption. To request such exemption email to sustainability@buildings.nyc.gov.

Requirements

To comply with Local Law 33, the energy and water consumption of a building must be benchmarked annually by May 1. The energy efficiency score and grade that is obtained and assigned based on the benchmarking reporting, must be disclosed in the form of a Building Energy Efficiency Rating label (sample), which is issued by the Department of Buildings every year on October 1st, by displaying it annually within 30 days after October 1st in a conspicuous location near each public entrance to the building until October 1st of the following year.

Buildings for which required benchmarking information was not submitted on time will be assigned an ‘F’ grade in the form of the Building Energy Efficiency Rating Label.

The label with an ‘F’ grade must be displayed within 30 days after October 1st in a conspicuous location near each public entrance to such building until October 1st of the following year.

LL33 Data Disclosures: Required by law

28-309.12.4 Publication of energy efficiency grades and energy efficiency scores. For each building for which an energy efficiency grade or energy efficiency score is generated pursuant to this section, the department shall make information generated in connection with such grade and score publicly available online by no later than May 1 of the year following such generation. Exception: This section 28-309.12.4 shall not apply to information generated with respect to a building with an energy efficiency grade of N.

Local Law 33 of 2018 Data Disclosure

Access the 2020 LL33 Data Disclosure for CY2019 reporting to view a report of each building for which an energy efficiency grade has been generated.

Access the 2021 LL33 Data Disclosure for CY2020 reporting to view a report of each building for which an energy efficiency grade has been generated.

Access the 2022 LL33 Data Disclosure for CY2021 reporting to view a report of each building for which an energy efficiency grade has been generated.

Access the 2023 LL33 Data Disclosure for CY2022 reporting to view a report of each building for which an energy efficiency grade has been generated.

NOTE: The report does not include those buildings which generated a grade of ‘N.

Contact for Questions

Questions pertaining to your Building Energy Efficiency Rating can be addressed by the NYC Sustainability Help Center, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Email Help@NYCsustainability.org or call (212) 566-5584.

Helpful Links

LL33 of 2018 Violations

LL33 of 2018 FAQs

LL33 as Amended by LL95 of 2019 - Steps to Compliance

DOB NOW: Safety - LL33 of 2018 Guide