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Rule guide · Inspections

Local Law 152: the gas piping inspection, explained.

If your building has gas service and three or more apartments, the City requires a licensed plumber to inspect your gas piping on a repeating cycle. It's one of the easiest requirements to miss, because the deadline depends on which neighborhood you're in, and the City doesn't send you a reminder.

What it costs to skip: a $5,000 civil penalty for failing to file the inspection certification by your deadline, per the Department of Buildings. You'll see the figure "$10,000" repeated on plumbing company websites; the City's own page says $5,000. Penalty amounts vary by building type and can change; confirm the current figure with DOB.
Applies toBuildings with gas piping, except 1–2 family homes (occupancy group R-3)
How oftenEvery 4 years, in your community district's assigned year
Who inspectsA DOB-licensed master plumber (LMP)
AgencyDepartment of Buildings (DOB)
The lawLocal Law 152 of 2016 · Admin. Code § 28-318 · 1 RCNY § 103-10

When is my building due?

Your deadline year depends on your community district. Look up your district by searching your address on the City's Community Profiles map, then find your row:

Community districtsCurrent cycleNext cycle
1, 3, 1020242028
2, 5, 7, 13, 1820252029
4, 6, 8, 9, 1620262030
11, 12, 14, 15, 1720272031

The inspection must happen inside your cycle year, January 1 to December 31. If you can't make it, DOB allows a one-time 180-day extension, requested through their online portal before your year ends.

What actually happens, step by step

  1. Hire a licensed master plumber. Check their license is active with DOB's License Search before hiring.
  2. The plumber inspects the exposed gas piping in public spaces, from the point of entry through the building.
  3. You get the report within 30 days of the inspection. If anything unsafe is found, the plumber must notify you, the utility, and DOB immediately, and you must fix it.
  4. The certification goes to DOB within 60 days of the inspection, signed and sealed by the plumber, filed through DOB's online portal. This filing is the step that protects you from the penalty.
  5. If conditions needed fixing, a follow-up certification confirming the fix is due within 120 days (or 180 if the plumber said more time was needed).

What if my building has gas piping but no gas service?

You still file. If the building has no gas piping at all, a design professional or licensed plumber certifies that once, and you're done. If there's piping but the gas is shut off, you file statements from the utility and yourself confirming it. No inspection cycle applies until gas comes back on.

The paperwork worth keeping

Keep the inspection report and the filed certification with your building records. If you sell, buyers' attorneys ask for these. If DOB ever questions your compliance, the filed certification is your proof.

See every rule that applies to your building

Sources: DOB, Periodic Gas Piping System Inspections · Local Law 152 of 2016 · NYC Admin. Code § 28-318 · 1 RCNY § 103-10. Reviewed July 5, 2026. This guide organizes public requirements in plain English; it is not legal advice, and No Fines is not affiliated with the City of New York. Confirm specifics with DOB before your deadline.