Local Law 152 FAQ

Answering Your Question About Local Regulations

What Is Local Law 152?

Local Law 152 is a set of regulations and guidelines, stating that building owners in New York City are required to have periodic inspections of gas piping systems in order to improve gas plumbing safety. In addition to mandating inspections, Local Law 152 also established rules for timing, requirements, filing procedures, and civil penalties for non-compliance to this law.

What Buildings Does Local Law 152 Apply To?

Local Law 152 applies to any building with a gas piping system except for buildings that are deemed to be part of Group R-3. R-3 buildings include any building or portion of a building that contains no more than two dwelling units and fewer than 20 occupants. In other words, convents and monasteries with fewer than 20 occupants and one- and two-family units are all exempt from this new law. If you own a single-family home anywhere in the city, you’re more than likely exempt from this law except under what would be extremely rare circumstances. Commercial or industrial buildings, on the other hand, are more than likely included in this law.

What If My Building Doesn’t Use Gas?

You’re not necessarily off the hook entirely under this new law. You’re required to receive certification from a licensed design professional that gas is not being used in the building, and you’re required to file that with local authorities in order to remain compliant. Your certification will last for five years, and every subsequent certification will be due by December 31^st of the next year you’re due for an inspection.

How Often Do I Have to Get an Inspection?

You are required to have your gas system inspected once every five years, and the date of your inspection actually depends on where you are. Each borough will have their inspections due over the course of a year, with all boroughs being on a five-year cycle. For 2019, Staten Island was on the clock. For 2020, the Bronx is up, with Manhattan (2021), Queens (2022), and Brooklyn (2023) to follow. The due date for your inspection will be the five-year anniversary of the previous inspection, and the inspection cannot be conducted more than 60 days before the due date.

How Much Do Inspections Cost?

Every building is different when it comes to inspection costs. Some buildings have simple gas systems that require very little to inspect. Other buildings have large, complex, and intricate gas connections, requiring a substantial amount of work. An inspection can run from around $1,000 to $10,000, and may even go higher depending on the complexity of your building. Some inspection companies may offer discounts for multi-building portfolios or property management companies who need inspections for buildings across the city.

What Happens If I Fail My Inspection?

Failure is certainly an option with inspections. If your inspector finds a problem that could present a danger to your building or our city’s gas supply, they’ll note it and require that you obtain repairs. For minor repairs, you have 120 days after the date of your inspection to get your repair completed. For major repairs, you’ll get an extra 60 days for a total of 180 days from the date of your inspection. If the repair involves the interruption of your gas service, your repairs must be re-certified before your gas service can be reestablished.

Can I Have My Building Inspected in Advance?

Yes, you can, but it won’t count under your obligations for Local Law 152. If you have an aging gas system that you think may not comply with regulations and standards, you can have your system inspected ahead of time in order to find what repairs you’ll need and get them done well in advance. In fact, if your inspection cycle isn’t due for two or three more years, we advise doing this, as it give you plenty of time to fix your issues without the insane time crunch of a failed inspection. However, this preliminary inspection does not count as your required inspection, and you will have to have your system inspected again when your due date comes.

Have questions about your building’s gas system? Want to know more about your obligations under this law? Talk to the experts at AWS Plumbing, Heating & Cooling by dialing (516) 217-2196 today.