The last week of October is a big week for compliance must-dos. Here’s what property owners and managers need to take care of by the end of the month:
Post Energy Efficiency Label
Properties on the Local Law 84 Covered Buildings List are required to print and post their Energy Efficiency Label by October 31st or risk a $1,250 penalty.
Click here to see a sample of the EEL, and visit DOB NOW to log in and download the label for your property.
Per the city, here’s where the label needs to be located:
Once printed, the label must be displayed either externally or internally in a conspicuous location near each public entrance, so it is visible to the public. The label must be at a vertical height no less than four feet and no more than six feet from the ground or floor. The label must not be defaced, marred, camouflaged or hidden from public view. The label must be displayed year-round and replaced each year with the latest issued version.
In the past, this violation has been issued automatically – if the city doesn’t have a record of the EEL being printed, the violation is issued at a later date.
Find out if your property is required to post in your SiteCompli account on the Local Law 84 page (any property marked YES in the subject column).
Submit Annual Cooling Tower Certification
Annual Cooling Tower Certification for all registered towers that operated in 2026 is due by November 1st.
Click here to view the instructions for submission, including:
- Logging into the Cooling Tower Registration Portal
- Visiting the equipment page
- Submitting the Form under Upload Documents – click to view the form and fill it out
You’ll receive a receipt which you can save, confirming you completed the process. You’ll have to repeat the process for each Cooling Tower at any given property.
If the cooling tower was not in operation this year, you’ll need to upload a Statement of Non-Operation instead. If the tower was officially decommissioned, you don’t have to comply with this requirement. Decommissioning involves submitting a form to the DOHMH and going through the official process.
What’s Changing Soon?
Starting in 2027, cooling tower certification timelines will change, and requirements will increase.
NY State legislation is requiring the following going forward:
The legislation (S08472-A/A09058A) will require biannual certifications taking place in January and July of each year or by dates specified by NYC DOB. In addition, it clarifies that the building owner must take steps to address maintenance deficiencies as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours, and must notify NYC DOB and take steps to address levels of microbes that present a serious health threat as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours. It also increases civil penalties for violations to $2,500 for a first violation, $7,000 for a second or subsequent violation, and up to $12,500 for a violation that results in a fatality or serious injury.
Click here to read the governor’s press release, and stay tuned for more details from DOHMH over the coming months. The DOHMH will also release details on how to submit Plan Preparer Certifications (by a Qualified Person for MPP), due by the end of the year.
Check the number of cooling towers associated with your portfolio (and ongoing sampling data) here in your SiteCompli account. You can also review the DOHMH’s guidelines for managing annual cooling tower shutdowns here.
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