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NYC cooling towers · Admin Code §28-317.5

The annual certification, then January and July

Every registered cooling tower is certified to the City each year: that it was inspected, tested, cleaned and disinfected, and that its maintenance plan is in place, with any deviations and the actions taken. For 2026 the deadline is November 1. From November 3, 2026, Chapter 206 of 2026 moves the certification to January and July; the Department of Buildings has not yet set the exact dates.

Check a building freeLast verified Oct 14, 2026

What it asks

What the owner has to do

  1. Upload the certification for each towerIn the City’s portal, on each equipment page, by November 1, 2026. DOHMH emails a receipt; keep it with the tower’s records as proof of the upload.Admin Code §28-317.5
  2. A tower that did not runUpload a statement of non-operation instead of the certification.DOHMH annual certification guidance
  3. Twice a year from 2027Chapter 206 of 2026 says January and July, unless DOB sets other dates by rule. No rule has been published yet.Chapter 206 of 2026
  4. Certify to the State as wellThe New York State registry needs its own certification by November 1, entered as a date, and updates at least every 90 days while the tower runs.10 NYCRR §4-1.8, §4-1.3
  5. Certify the plan every yearThe qualified person who wrote the maintenance plan certifies each year that it meets the rules and reflects changes to the team and the system.24 RCNY §8-03(e)

Deadlines

The clocks

  • Certification to DOB, 2026November 1, 2026Admin Code §28-317.5
  • Certification to DOB, 2027January and July, dates pending a DOB ruleChapter 206 of 2026
  • State registry certificationNovember 1 each year10 NYCRR §4-1.8
  • State registry updateAt least every 90 days while the tower runs10 NYCRR §4-1.3
  • Plan certificationOnce a year24 RCNY §8-03(e)

Penalties

What a violation costs

First violation / repeat, per the penalty schedule, with DOHMH’s violation code where it has one. Since May 8, 2026 there is no cure period at inspection.

  • Certification to DOB, or statement of non-operationAdmin Code §28-317.5; 24 RCNY §8-07(b)Up to $10,000 (DOB major violation; the maximum DOB states)
  • State registry certification by November 110 NYCRR §4-1.8$250 / $250
  • Update the State registry at least every 90 days in operation10 NYCRR §4-1.3(b)$250 / $250
  • Annual certification of the maintenance program and plan24 RCNY §8-03(e)$2,000 / $4,000

FAQ

Questions owners ask

Does the City remind me?

DOHMH must email a reminder at least 30 days before the certification deadline. Nothing else in the portal reminds you.

Can my vendor file it?

Many water treatment vendors upload the certification as part of their service. The owner stays responsible, so keep the emailed receipt on file.

What is the penalty for not certifying?

A missing certification is a major violation under the Building Code; DOB states a maximum fine of $10,000.

When will the January date be fixed?

When DOB publishes a rule or DOHMH announces the dates. Until then, plan for January and July 2027 and file the November 1, 2026 certification on time.

Your building

See the clock DOHMH sees

Type the address. The free check shows the last sample date DOHMH has, the days left on the 31-day clock, the inspections and any OATH summons on the lot.

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Sources · Last verified Oct 14, 2026

A plain-English summary of the rules, not legal advice. The rule text and DOHMH’s guidance decide; check them before you act.