Rule change doesn’t affect existing buildings
By Andria Cheng
New York State to Mandate All-Electric Buildings in Phases Starting This Year
New York State will begin phasing in a ban on gas stoves, heaters, and other fossil fuel appliances for new residential and certain other buildings by the end of the year, over two years after the All-Electric Buildings Act was included in the state budget. This makes New York the first U.S. state to require all-electric construction for new buildings.
The law follows New York City’s Local Law 154, which began phased implementation last year and sets strict carbon emission limits for new buildings, effectively requiring electric power.
The statewide mandate is set to take effect once the Fire Prevention and Building Codes Council approves updates to the building code, a step recently completed. Legal challenges from trade groups and unions, including the New York State Builders Association, were recently denied by a U.S. District Court.
Key dates and details:
- Dec. 31, 2025: New buildings up to seven stories (except commercial/industrial buildings over 100,000 sq. ft.) must be all-electric.
- Dec. 31, 2028: All new buildings, including large commercial properties, must comply.
- Exemptions: Restaurants, hospitals, doctors’ offices, factories, and agricultural buildings are excluded. Existing buildings are not affected; repairs, renovations, or appliance replacements can still use gas.
Buildings currently account for about 32% of greenhouse gas emissions in New York State, highlighting the move’s environmental impact.