Local Law 75: The Roll-Down Security Grille Deadline Is July 1, 2026

Local Law 75 applies to buildings in two occupancy groups:

• Occupancy Group B — Business buildings (offices, banks, professional services)
• Occupancy Group M — Mercantile buildings (retail stores, shops, markets)

If your ground-floor tenant uses a solid or opaque roll-down gate when closed, and your building falls into one of these groups, you are likely covered. Landmarked buildings and properties in historic districts are exempt — check with DOB if you're unsure of your status.

A compliant grille must allow a person standing on the sidewalk to see at least 70% of the area covered by the grille when it is fully closed. In practice, this means:

• Open-mesh or open-bar grilles that allow a clear view through — compliant
• Solid or near-solid metal roll-down gates — not compliant
• Partially perforated metal panels — depends on the perforation percentage; must be verified

If your building currently has solid roll-down gates, they need to be replaced before July 1.

Beginning July 1, 2026, the NYC Department of Buildings will issue major violations with summonses returnable to OATH (the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings) for non-compliant grilles. OATH violations can carry significant fines — and once issued, they appear on your building's public record until corrected.

Non-compliance also affects your ability to certify corrections on other open violations, which can complicate refinancing, sales, or future permitting.

Replacing a non-compliant grille requires:

• A licensed Registered Design Professional (RDP) to assess the existing installation and prepare plans
• A DOB permit for the replacement or installation of a new compliant grille
• Licensed contractor to perform the physical replacement

Given permitting timelines and contractor availability in NYC, now is the time to begin this process — not June. Permit processing alone can take 4–8 weeks, and demand for this work will spike as the deadline approaches.

Walk your ground-floor commercial spaces and do a quick visual assessment:

• Solid or near-solid gate? Likely non-compliant — begin the process now
• Open bar or open mesh with wide spacing? Likely compliant — document it and confirm with your RDP
• Not sure? A licensed professional can perform a quick assessment before you commit to a full replacement

You can also check your building's current violation status through DOB NOW: Public Portal to see if any existing notices related to security grilles have already been issued.