Updated for 2025 — Local Law 33 (LL33) requires large buildings in New York City to publicly display an energy efficiency grade each year. This grade, based on data submitted through Local Law 84 (LL84) benchmarking, provides tenants, prospective buyers, and the public with a simple A–F rating that reflects the building’s energy performance.
Grades must be filed and posted annually by October 31 in a visible location near each building’s main entrance. Non-compliance can result in DOB violations and fines.
What Is Local Law 33?
Passed in 2018 and amended by Local Law 95 in 2019, LL33 mandates that buildings covered under the City’s benchmarking laws receive an energy efficiency grade derived from their ENERGY STAR score. The goal is to make building performance more transparent—and to motivate owners to improve operational efficiency.
The grade must be posted using an official Energy Efficiency Rating Label issued each year by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB).
Who Must Comply with LL33?
LL33 applies to:
- All buildings 25,000 square feet or larger
- Buildings covered by LL84 benchmarking requirements
- All commercial, residential, and mixed-use buildings in the five boroughs that meet the size threshold
This includes most office towers, multifamily developments, schools, and large retail properties.
Compliance Timeline for 2025
- October 1 – DOB releases annual Energy Efficiency Rating Labels through the DOB NOW portal
- October 31 – Labels must be filed, printed, and posted near each public entrance
- Ongoing – Failure to post the label by the deadline may result in a DOB violation and a $1,250 fine per year
The label must remain on display until replaced the following year.
How the Grades Are Calculated
Energy grades are based on the ENERGY STAR score generated through LL84 benchmarking data. The grades correspond as follows:
- A – 85 or higher
- B – 70–84
- C – 55–69
- D – 1–54
- F – Non-compliance (failure to report benchmarking data)
- N – Exempt from grading (e.g., data not available or not applicable)
The grade is recalculated annually and reflects the building’s performance relative to similar buildings nationwide.
Why LL33 Matters
LL33 makes energy performance highly visible and easily understandable—placing pressure on building owners to improve their scores or face public scrutiny. A poor grade may impact leasing decisions, investor interest, and even long-term asset value.
Publicly posted energy grades:
- Increase market transparency
- Reinforce LL84 compliance and performance goals
- Support NYC’s Local Law 97 climate targets
- Encourage upgrades and retrofits that reduce carbon emissions
Failing to post the required label results in DOB violations and fines, and could reflect poorly on management practices from a tenant or investor perspective.
How Benchmarking.NYC Can Help
Benchmarking.NYC helps you stay ahead of LL33 requirements by:
- Ensuring LL84 benchmarking data is submitted accurately and on time
- Accessing and downloading your Energy Efficiency Label from DOB NOW
- Providing guidance on where and how to post your label to stay compliant
- Advising on strategies to improve your ENERGY STAR score and raise your grade over time
We help building owners turn compliance into a competitive advantage.
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