Local Law 152 is one of the most important safety regulations affecting NYC building owners today. Enacted in 2016 and with inspection cycles now fully underway, the law mandates that gas piping systems in most NYC buildings be inspected every four years by a licensed master plumber. Non-compliance carries steep penalties, and more importantly, uninspected gas lines pose serious safety risks to building occupants and the surrounding community.
Who Must Comply
Nearly all NYC buildings with gas service must comply with LL152. This includes co-ops, condos, rental buildings, mixed-use buildings, and commercial properties. The only exemption is owner-occupied R-3 buildings — meaning one- and two-family homes where the owner actually lives in the building. If you rent out your two-family brownstone and live elsewhere, you're still required to comply. Buildings are assigned to four-year inspection cycles based on their community district number.
What Inspectors Look For
- Gas leaks at any point in the piping system, tested using electronic gas detectors and soap bubble tests
- Evidence of corrosion on gas piping, especially at joints, supports, and where pipes pass through walls
- Improper materials — such as flexible connectors used as permanent piping or unapproved pipe types
- Illegal taps or unauthorized connections, which are common in buildings with a history of tenant self-modifications
- Missing drip legs, improper pipe support, and other installation deficiencies
- Lack of proper shut-off valves at appliance connections
The Inspection and Filing Process
The process begins with the building owner hiring a licensed master plumber to perform the inspection. The plumber will need access to all areas where gas piping is exposed, including basements, utility rooms, boiler rooms, and individual apartments where piping or appliance connections are visible. After the inspection, the plumber classifies any findings as either requiring immediate correction or as existing conditions that should be monitored. Results are then filed with the DOB through the DOB NOW portal within 60 days.
Common Issues Found During LL152 Inspections
In our experience performing LL152 inspections across hundreds of NYC buildings, the most common findings include: corroded piping sections in basement and sub-cellar areas, missing or non-functional apartment gas shut-off valves, illegal flexible connector installations done by unlicensed individuals, and gas piping that has been improperly concealed within walls during renovations. Many of these issues are straightforward and relatively inexpensive to correct, but they must be addressed to pass the inspection and protect building occupants.
If your building's LL152 inspection deadline is approaching, don't wait until the last minute. Schedule your inspection well in advance so there's time to address any findings before the filing deadline. Our team handles the entire process — from scheduling and performing the inspection to correcting any deficiencies and filing the results with the DOB.