If you own or manage a building in New York City, you’re required to post your property’s energy efficiency grade where the public can see it. This requirement comes from Local Law 33 of 2018 (LL33), part of NYC’s effort to improve building energy performance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
New York City Local Law 33 is part of a broader set of building legislation aimed at improving transparency, energy efficiency, and sustainability in construction. It amends the New York City Administrative Code and Building Code, with a primary focus on building energy performance transparency and the benchmarking process.
Covered buildings over 25,000 square feet are required to benchmark energy usage under Local Law 84. Under Local Law 33, these buildings must publicly display an energy efficiency grade and label issued annually by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) near each public entrance, in a conspicuous location by October 31st each year.
Failing to post the label or posting it incorrectly may result in a civil penalty of $1,250 per year.
Grades are based on your building’s ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager score from the prior calendar year.
A: Score is 85 or higher
B: Score is 70 to 84
C: Score is 55 to 69
D: Score is 54 or lower
F: Failure to submit benchmarking data
Each year, owners must submit their building’s energy data by May 1 through the ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager system. The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) then issues the official grade, which must be posted by October 31.
Your grade isn’t just about compliance—it’s about your reputation, tenant satisfaction, and property value. A poor grade is visible to everyone walking in your door, while a great grade can be a point of pride.
We provide complete LL33 compliance services:
Need more info or ready to start? Contact us today to keep your building compliant and looking its best on paper—and at the front door.
