Supporting LL97 Compliance with Professional As-Built Documentation Services
Understanding Local Law 97: What Architects, Engineers, and Facility Managers Need to Know
New York City amended Local Law 97 (LL97) in December 2024, reinforcing the city’s ambitious climate goals and providing additional clarity for building professionals. Here's what architects, engineers, and real estate stakeholders should know:
- Affordable Housing Support: Low-income property owners can now access the Affordable Housing Reinvestment Fund, which provides financial support for electrical retrofits. These upgrades generate emissions offsets that help owners maintain compliance under LL97.
- Revised GHG Calculations: Facilities managers will benefit from updated greenhouse gas (GHG) calculation methodologies for campus systems, along with clearer guidance on alternative compliance options for certain cogeneration systems.
- Flexibility for Complex Buildings: Preservationists and design professionals may welcome the revised emissions limit methodology, which allows adjustments for buildings with legal, physical, or financial constraints – offering long-awaited clarity for historically or operationally complex properties.
- Transparent Cost Structure: The latest update also introduces standardized fees for emissions report submissions and related applications, enabling building owners to plan more effectively for long-term compliance costs.
How 3D Laser Scanning Services Support Local Law 97 Compliance
At Existing Conditions, we provide architects, engineers, facility managers, and developers with high-accuracy 3D laser scanning services and professional as-built documentation services that help support compliance with LL97. Whether you're renovating a historic property or preparing a decarbonization plan, our detailed LiDAR data and BIM deliverables ensure your team has the accurate documentation needed from day one.
Our experience in documenting complex existing buildings, including those with unique architectural or preservation requirements, helps clients take the guesswork out of energy upgrades, retrofits, and emissions calculations.
The Evolution of Local Law 97
This is the third significant rule making addition to LL97 since its inception in 2019. The first update (December 2022) introduced emissions benchmarks for buildings over 25,000 square feet, annual reporting requirements to the NYC Department of Buildings, and penalties for non-compliance.
The second update (December 2023) allowed flexibility through referred compliance, defined what constitutes a “good faith effort,” and enabled owners to apply for compliance extensions through 2026.
Local Law 97 Overview: Origins and Scope
Enacted under the Climate Mobilization Act in 2019, LL97 mandates major GHG reductions from large buildings – targeting a 40% decrease by 2030 and 80% by 2050 (relative to 2005 levels).
Who Must Comply?
- Individual buildings over 25,000 gross square feet
- Multiple buildings on a tax lot totaling over 50,000 square feet
- Condo associations managing over 50,000 square feet across multiple buildings
Certain industrial, nonprofit, and residential structures are exempt.
Emission Limits and Timeline
LL97 sets emissions thresholds based on building use type, measured in kgCO₂e per square foot. For example, Group R-2 (residential) buildings must remain under 6.75 kgCO₂e/sf from 2024–2029, with a stricter 4.07 kgCO₂e/sf limit beginning in 2030.
Design Implications for the AEC Industry
For architects and engineers, compliance with LL97 means integrating sustainable practices into all stages of a building’s lifecycle:
- Designing for Efficiency: Emphasize building envelopes, HVAC systems, and LED lighting that reduce energy use.
- Electrification: Replace fossil-fuel-based systems with electric options like heat pumps.
- On-Site Renewables: Incorporate solar or other renewable energy systems.
These strategies improve building performance and occupant wellbeing while supporting regulatory goals.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Buildings exceeding GHG thresholds face steep fines – $268 per metric ton of CO₂e above the limit. Missing reports incurs monthly fines of $0.50/sf, and falsified reports can lead to penalties of up to $500,000.
Flexibility for Challenging Buildings
LL97 offers adaptability in certain cases:
- Good Faith Compliance Plans: Submit a decarbonization plan by May 1, 2025, to outline how your building will meet targets by 2026 and beyond.
- Renewable Energy Credits (RECs): Offset emissions through RECs, though LL97 discourages relying solely on them.
Recommendations for Design Professionals
- Plan Early: Begin with energy modeling and sustainability analysis.
- Collaborate Across Disciplines: Work closely with MEP engineers and sustainability experts.
- Stay Updated: Regulations and technologies are rapidly evolving – keep your knowledge current.
By integrating 3D laser scanning services and professional as-built documentation services early in the process, firms can make smarter design decisions that align with LL97 from day one.
Additional Resources
As emissions regulations reshape the built environment, architects, engineers, and facility managers in New York City must consider carbon performance as a core project requirement. To support design and construction professionals, the NYC Accelerator and Urban Green Council provide ongoing education, actionable frameworks, and planning tools aligned with LL97.
The NYC Department of Buildings also offers essential resources, including emissions calculation methodologies and detailed compliance guidelines, to help teams navigate the technical aspects of LL97 reporting.
At Existing Conditions, we help teams meet these evolving demands by capturing accurate building documentation. When paired with SiteMap® – a GPRS-powered software platform that securely stores and organizes verified subsurface and structural data – project teams gain early access to critical insights. This enables them to reduce risk, streamline workflows, and confidently align designs with LL97 compliance.
Your Partner in LL97 Compliance: Scan, Plan, and Design with Confidence
Understanding LL97 is key to creating sustainable buildings in New York City. With help from a trusted 3D laser scanning company like Existing Conditions, design professionals can deliver compliant, future-ready solutions that support the city’s climate objectives.
FAQs
How Does Laser Scanning Work?
.svg)
One primary method is that a laser scanner sends light pulses at high speeds which reflect off objects and return to the scanners’ sensor. For each pulse, the distance between the scanner and object is measured by determining the elapsed time between the sent and received pulses. Each point of the scan will be converted to a pixel with a known x-, y-, and z- coordinate. Laser scans or LiDAR scans are taken in multiple positions around a site from varying viewpoints. Millions of data points are captured and processed into a point cloud, creating an accurate data set of the structure or site.
What are the Benefits of 3D Laser Scanning?
3D laser scanning captures millions of 3D data points per second for each scan location, providing incredibly rich data of a building or project site. Sites are captured in high detail the first time, eliminating disruption and the need for return visits. Datasets are dimensionally accurate, measurable and shareable, expediting project planning and execution. Accurate design plans are produced from the start expediting field work and reducing change orders, delays and costs. Communication is improved, teams can discuss plans while each has access to the same information, creating a more dynamic working environment.
What strategies can facility managers use to manage energy consumption and improve sustainability?
- Energy Audits: Conduct audits to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
- Energy-Efficient Upgrades: Install energy-saving technologies, such as LED lighting and smart controls.
- Renewable Energy: Utilize renewable sources like solar panels to reduce energy dependency.
- Behavioral Changes: Encourage occupants to adopt energy-saving behaviors.
- Sustainability Programs: Implement waste reduction, water conservation, and sustainable procurement.
- Monitoring and Analytics: Leverage analytics to track energy usage and optimize performance.
