NYC Extends Inspection Deadline for Gas Piping Systems

By Andrew Pisani

Last month, the New York City Council passed two laws that affect compliance with Local Law 152 of 2016, which governs gas piping system (GPS) inspections. One important change extends the deadlines for both inspections and correction of deficiencies for buildings with compliance deadlines of December 31, 2021. In addition, buildings will have greater flexibility in terms of securing certifications and requesting extensions.

2021 Deadlines Extended to June 30, 2022

Buildings located in community districts 2, 5, 7, 13, and 18 throughout the five boroughs now have until June 30, 2022, to complete inspections of their gas piping systems. (The original compliance deadline was December 31, 2021.)

This new deadline also applies to properties that have already completed the 2021 inspections but need additional time to correct deficiencies, even if the original inspection was completed more than 120 days ago—or 180 days for buildings that require extensive remediation.

Additional Flexibility for Building Owners

According to Local Law 152, even buildings that do not have a GPS—with the exception of one- and two-family homes—must still undergo inspection and certify that no GPS is present. Previously, building owners needed to retain the services of a registered design professional for this inspection and certification. Now, retroactive to January 1, 2020, owners may hire a licensed master plumber to conduct the inspection and file the certification.

Another change applies to buildings with an inactive GPS. Such properties are no longer required to undergo an inspection, but owners will need to obtain certification from the utility company, confirming that the system is not currently in use.

Finally, moving forward, building owners will now have options to apply for extensions—both for the initial inspection and for correcting any deficiencies.

If you have any questions regarding how these changes affect your property, or if you need assistance with Local Law 152 compliance, please contact Metropolis Group at 212.233.6344.