Two sets of new NYC rules were just confirmed and approved after their respective hearing processes – here’s what we know:

Local Law 152 Updates

After proposing some updates to Local Law 152 earlier this year, the DOB has announced that the new rules are now approved, and will be going into effect.

We outlined the proposals in a previous post, but here’s a list of key changes and clarifications:

• Utility companies are now allowed to certify that a building has no gas piping
• Certification for buildings without gas piping systems is a one-time submission – not cyclical
• Inspectors must notify the DOB two days ahead of an inspection
• Violation correction involves paying the $5,000 penalty and submitting the proper documentation (inspection, certification, or alternate documentation for no service)
• Certifications aren’t considered filed until they’re fully uploaded to DOB NOW
• Penalty waiver qualifications are now established for new owners, government ownership, bankruptcy, states of emergency, or building status
• Newly outlined filing fees for:
  • Inspection certification submission – $35
  • Extension requests – $35
  • Certificates of Correction – $35
  • Certifications for no systems – $375 (one time)
  • Documentation for no service – $480

We’ve bolded the second change for emphasis – buildings without gas piping systems have to submit their certification one time only, and not every four years. It’s a major clarification from the original law, which lumped cyclical requirements for buildings with and without systems together.

Please note that this doesn’t apply to buildings that have gas piping systems, but currently aren’t being provided with service. The final rules call this out from a comment:

A comment was received regarding the need to submit documentation regarding no gas service every cycle, indicating that documentation should not have to be resubmitted. However, unless the entire gas piping system has been locked out by the utility company, there is always some partial gas service available to the building. Someone affiliated with the location could restore service at any time without notifying DOB. The four-year cycle period is a long time to be without gas service.

Buildings that fall under this category would still have to submit specific documentation proving their building has a system, but is not currently being provided with gas, according to the DOB’s required schedule.

You can view the full rule here at the city’s site. They’re set to go into effect on January 3, 2026.

Compromised Building Rules

New rules for responsibilities related to compromised buildings have now been approved. We previously wrote about them here.

You can view the full rules here, also set to go into effect on January 3rd.

Specifically, the new rules:

…add definitions, responsibilities of the registered design professional, inspection procedures and report requirements for documenting the conditions found during required inspections of potentially structurally compromised buildings. The rule requires the filing of an initial, annual and final report for each affected building.

Much like other structural requirements (FISP, retaining walls, parking structure inspections), there are also fines of $1,000/month for failure to file acceptable initial or annual reports, and $5,000/year “for two years after the initial report is filed and until an acceptable final report is filed.”

Unlike Local Law 152 changes, there were comment-based changes to the final rules. These included:

• Separate, lower penalty amounts for owners of 1- and 2-family dwellings
• Narrower clarifications for worker information under the RDP
• Clarifications on timing for additional testing and investigation
• Narrower scope of areas of distress/deficiency that require documentation

That said, several of the proposed rules were unchanged, including 60-day inspection requirements, waiver provisions, and the definition of “potentially structurally compromised.”

Bonus: Proposed DSNY Collection Changes

It’s worth mentioning that while it isn’t approved yet – the hearing is scheduled for January 7, 2026 – the DSNY is proposing alternate collection schedules for individual Community Boards.

As a reminder, the DSNY recently updated set-out times, requiring residences using containers to place receptacles no earlier than 6 PM the day before pickup, and residences using bags no earlier than 8 PM. Solid waste and recyclables must be out before midnight in both cases.

This proposal would make room for adjustments depending on the neighborhood. The proposal states:

DSNY recognizes that every community has different needs. DSNY is proposing to allow individual Community Boards, upon written notification to DSNY, to opt into an alternate schedule that would permit residences in their districts that receive collection service on Saturdays to place materials for collection at the curb no earlier than one hour before sunset on Fridays, provided that such materials are placed out in receptacles with a tight-fitting lid.

You can view the current set-out rules here, and the proposed rule here – including resources for adding comments or attending the hearing.

As always, stay tuned to the Blog for updates on the above and much, much more.