Regulation

Confused by NYC’s Local Laws 84 and 97? We’ve Got You Covered!

Learn how LL84 & LL97 impact NYC buildings, the fines for non-compliance, and how Citera’s EcoTax simplifies energy reporting and compliance.

February 2, 2025

Florence Labrie

Co-founder & Chief Growth Officer

NYC Property Managers and Owners

Feeling overwhelmed by the wave of new building laws, regulations, and fines hitting NYC? If you own or manage a building over 25,000 sq. ft., you’re probably scratching your head right about now. Don’t worry—we’re here to simplify it all for you.

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What is LL84?

The Basics

Local Law 84 (LL84) is NYC’s way of tackling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings. Why? Because buildings account for a whopping 72% of the city’s emissions! With power grids maxed out, the city is getting creative, turning to laws like LL84 to benchmark and measure the energy efficiency of every large building.

And guess what? NYC isn’t alone—more than 300 cities in the U.S. are rolling out similar laws. So, while it might feel like a lot, you’ve got company!

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The Goal

LL84 is all about benchmarking. NYC wants to identify which buildings are energy efficient and which are…well, energy guzzlers. Think of it like a building “report card.”

In Europe, they’ve taken this concept even further. For example, in France, every building gets an energy rating—and if you fail miserably, you can’t sell your property until you retrofit. While North America isn’t there yet, LL84 could be the first step in that direction.

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What Happens if You Don’t Submit?

If you skip out on submitting your data, you’ll face a $2,000 fine. Not too bad, right? But here’s the kicker: if your building is inefficient, things can get messy, especially with LL97.

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What is LL97?

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LL97: Where the Stakes Get Higher

If LL84 is about identifying energy-inefficient buildings, LL97 is how NYC plans to hold those buildings accountable. Starting in 2024, buildings over 25,000 sq. ft. must meet strict carbon emissions limits—or pay the price.

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How the Fines Work

Here’s the deal: if your building exceeds its carbon emissions limit, you’ll pay $268 per metric ton of CO2 over the allowable threshold.

Still confused? Let’s break it down:

• Say your building exceeds its limit by 200 metric tons.

• Multiply that by $268, and you’re looking at a hefty $53,600 fine every year until you take action.

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Why This Matters

The fines under LL97 aren’t just penalties—they’re a nudge to encourage retrofits, better energy efficiency, and lower emissions. The earlier you act, the less you’ll pay (and the more sustainable your building will be).

So, whether you’re navigating LL84 or bracing for LL97, don’t ignore these laws—they’re here to stay. And we’re here to help you every step of the way!

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How Citera's EcoTax Can Help New Yorkers

Navigating LL84 and LL97 doesn’t have to be overwhelming—that’s where EcoTax comes in. EcoTax is our automated platform designed to make compliance effortless.

Here’s how we help:

• Automated Submissions: We take care of your LL84 benchmarking data submission, so you can avoid those $2,000 fines.

• Insights for Action: We don’t just stop at compliance—EcoTax gives you clear insights on how to improve your energy efficiency.

• LL97 Readiness: Our platform helps you plan ahead, offering strategies to reduce emissions and dodge those steep LL97 penalties.

With over 300 buildings already using EcoTax, we’re here to help NYC property owners stay compliant and become leaders in sustainable urban living. Let’s make compliance easy and fight climate change together!

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Want to find our more? Here are a few resources.

Official compliance instructions: View here
Official list of buildings required to submit: View here
How to submit on your own: View here
Official LL97 website: View here

Get started with Citera today!

Reach out to info@citera.ai or sign up here

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Confused by NYC’s Local Laws 84 and 97? We’ve Got You Covered!

Florence Labrie

Confused by NYC’s Local Laws 84 and 97? We’ve Got You Covered!

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Confused by NYC’s Local Laws 84 and 97? We’ve Got You Covered!

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Continue reading

Confused by NYC’s Local Laws 84 and 97? We’ve Got You Covered!

Confused by Montreal’s New Energy Bylaw? Don’t Sweat It—We’ve Got You!

The US Steps Back, but Carbon Neutrality Goals Push Forward