In New York City, it's difficult to maintain a building up to code. Thousands of residential structures are around the metropolis, and no two are alike. Elevator buildings, two-family residences, and mixed-use rentals all have various legal and code requirements.

You've undoubtedly spent some time as a condo/co-op board member pondering how to prevent local law breaches. We got you covered.

We compiled a list of some of the most essential New York City municipal regulations for property owners.

Local Law 11

All external walls and appurtenances must be examined by a Qualified external Wall Inspector (QEWI) every five years on buildings taller than six stories, and a technical facade report must be electronically recorded.

Read more about LL11 here.

Local Law 18

New York City passed Local Law 18, sometimes referred to as the Short-Term Rental Registration Law, on January 9, 2022. According to the ordinance, hosts of short-term rentals must register with the Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement (OSE), and online travel agencies like Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and others are not allowed to receive payments for unregistered short-term rentals.

The registration law requirements won't be enforced by OSE until September 5, 2023. This indicates that, even though hosts and booking services are still subject to enforcement for violations of the laws and regulations governing short-term rentals, OSE will not issue violations or seek to impose fines or penalties in accordance with the registration law or the final adopted rules for conduct occurring before September 5, 2023.

Read more about LL18 here.

Local Law 31

To do lead-based paint cleanup and XRF testing for the presence of lead-based in the unit, owners must hire an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified inspector or risk assessor. The inspection must be completed by Wednesday, August 9, 2025, or within one year if a kid under the age of six moves into the unit or spends 10 or more hours per week there, whichever comes first.

Read more about LL31 here.

Local Law 97

Local Law 97 is one of the most aggressive emission-reduction strategies in the country. Local Law 97 was included in the Climate Mobilization Act, which was enacted by the City Council in April 2019 as part of the Mayor's Green New Deal for New York City.

Most buildings larger than 25,000 square feet will be required to satisfy new energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions limitations by 2024, with stronger limits taking effect in 2030. The objective is to cut emissions from the city's major buildings by 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. The Local Ordinance 97 Advisory Board and Climate Working Groups were also formed under the ordinance to assist the city on how to effectively fulfill these tough targets.

With a few exceptions, Local Law 97 mainly covers:

• Buildings larger than 25,000 gross square feet;
• Two or more structures totaling more than 50,000 square feet on the same tax lot;
• Two or more buildings owned by a condominium organization, administered by the same board of management, and totaling more than 50,000 square feet.

Read more about LL97 here

Local Law 152

All buildings with gas piping systems—aside from single- and two-family residences and other structures included in Occupancy Group R-3—must have their gas piping systems examined by a Licensed Master Plumber (LMP) or a qualified person employed by an LMP. As per the schedule below, gas pipe systems need to be examined no less frequently than once every four years. The building's Community District determines the precise year.

All buildings are subject to LL152 of 2016, with the exception of single- and double-family dwellings and other structures included in occupation group R-3. You are exempt from complying with LL152 of 2016 if your building falls under any of the following classification codes: A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, B1, B2, B3, B9, M3, M4, or N2.

Read more about LL152 here.