NYC Council Committee Backs Delay on Gas Alarm Requirement

The New York City Council’s Housing and Buildings Committee voted on Monday, June 30th, to advance legislation that would delay enforcement of a gas alarm requirement for residential buildings.

The measure, Bill 1281, was introduced by Council Member Eric Dinowitz in response to what he described as unworkable deadlines tied to Local Law 157 of 2016. That law mandates the installation of compliant natural gas detectors in residential properties. The current enforcement deadline, May 1st, was deemed unrealistic due to limited device availability.

According to Dinowitz, only one manufacturer currently produces detectors that meet the city’s specifications. That device has not only faced production delays due to supply chain problems but was also subject to a major recall over a defect that rendered it ineffective at detecting gas leaks.

Despite the scarcity of compliant alarms, the Department of Buildings (DOB) retains the authority to issue fines for noncompliance. Dinowitz argued that this places an undue burden on property owners, who have no viable means of compliance.

Under the amended timeline, the mandate will be postponed until January 1st, 2027, provided the DOB identifies and submits a list of at least four manufacturers offering compliant battery-powered devices by the end of 2026. If the agency fails to do so, the deadline will be pushed further to January 2029.

The bill now moves forward following committee approval.