It’s been over a year since the first Local Law 97 filing deadline – and only a few weeks since the second annual due date for most covered buildings.

In that time, we’ve had extensions and exceptions, and the first-ever violations (for both failure to file and failure to meet imposed limits).

But Local Law 97 isn’t done evolving. We’re still at the beginning of a long, changing process – as outlined by the DOB’s own timeline:

Each compliance period brings new changes, with the potential for huge impacts on NYC covered buildings.

Here are some short term and forward-thinking action steps to future-proof your property against Local Law 97 enforcement, and make sure you’re in compliance.

Manage Your Filings

One of the most important actions you can take for covered buildings is to make sure you get your filings in on time.

While the annual due date for filings is May 1st (same as LL 84 benchmarking), a recent Service Notice mentioned that reports can be submitted “no later than June 30th.” If you need, owners and managers can request an extension by June 30th, which pushes the deadline back to August 29th.

For rent-regulated buildings, 2026 is the first year where emission limits must be met, culminating in the first annual filing due May 1, 2027. Income restricted buildings still have quite a few years to go, with filings coming due in 2035.

If you’re not sure which compliance path your properties are on (if any), visit the Local Law 97 page in your SiteCompli account.

Take Action For The Future

Emission limits become more stringent in 2030, with more buildings citywide projected to receive penalties for exceeding set thresholds. We’re already halfway through 2026, with 2030 coming faster than we think.

Failure to file penalties are calculated based on the gross floor area of the building. Properties with 25,000 sq ft of gross floor area could see monthly penalties of $12,500 – a significant increase over other sustainability-related filings.

Penalties for failure to meet emission limits can vary even more. Those depend on the difference between the building’s actual emissions and the imposed limit, multiplied by $268.

The good news is you’re thinking about it now, so you’re two steps ahead of the compliance curve. The sooner you take action to meet future limits, the less likely your property is to face significant penalties.

Installing Smart Solutions

One of the biggest solutions owners and managers turn to is installing smart devices, like energy control systems.

Teams like Entech make devices that not only help you monitor energy use, but give you insights that lead to savings beyond Local Law 97 filings.

Laura Bendayan, Entech’s Director of Strategic Partnerships, notes that “Owners often assume their 2030 target means a full electrification retrofit. The biggest emissions source in most buildings is the heating system, and you can cut a real share of that just by running your existing equipment smarter. That’s the most cost-effective place to start.”

She continues, “In a recent analysis of over 400 NYC apartment buildings that installed Entech’s S2 platform, emissions dropped nearly 25% and property owners saved over $5 million, all by optimizing existing boilers rather than replacing them. For buildings working toward the 40% reduction due in 2030, running your current heating system smarter is often the most cost-effective first step.”

And while you may be focused on Local Law 97 compliance, smart tools can provide value outside of this rule. “Additionally, installing controls is a great first step as it gives you visibility into other inefficiencies that should be addressed.”

Taking Advantage of Key Resources

The city has a number of programs you can take advantage of when it comes to free support for Local Law 97 and energy planning.

Resources like the NYC Accelerator and the Sustainability Help Center can provide you with insights for managing emissions, or detailed steps for filings. The city’s Local Law 97 page is a huge resource in itself, with tons of links and guides on filings and beyond.

Local Law 97 is unlike any other city requirement. It’s complex, with full compliance going beyond a filing. Taking a future-forward approach can help your team stay in compliance for this filing cycle, and every cycle to come.

Need help? Our team is always here to connect yours with experts, resources, and information you need to keep your portfolio safe. Reach out to us at support@sitecompli.com.