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NYC cooling towers · Chapter 206 of 2026

What changed for NYC cooling towers in 2026

Three dates changed the rules for New York City cooling towers in 2026. On May 8, DOHMH’s amended rules in 24 RCNY Chapter 8 took effect. Chapter 206 of 2026, a State law that amends the City’s Administrative Code, was signed on August 5: one part took effect on September 4, the rest on November 3.

Check a building freeLast verified Oct 19, 2026

Timeline

The dates

What took effect on each date in 2026; the rules behind each change are listed below with their sections.
DateWhat changed
May 8, 2026A Legionella sample at least every 31 days, not 90; each sample date reported to DOHMH within 5 days; startups and shutdowns reported electronically; penalties doubled; no cure period at inspection.
Aug 5, 2026Chapter 206 of 2026 signed.
Sep 4, 2026The 24 and 48-hour steps after a positive Legionella result are taken as soon as possible, and no later than those hours.
Nov 1, 2026The 2026 certification to DOB is due.
Nov 3, 2026Certification in January and July, unless DOB sets other dates by rule; records kept 10 years; penalty caps of $2,500 for a first violation and $7,000 for a repeat, and $12,500 for one with a fatality or serious injury.

What it asks

What the owner has to do

  1. Sample every 31 days, report in 5Since May 8, 2026: a Legionella sample no more than 31 days after the last while the system holds water, and its date entered in the City’s portal within 5 days.Admin Code §17-194.1(e), (f); 24 RCNY §8-05(f)(3)
  2. Act on a positive result as soon as possibleSince September 4, 2026, the 24 and 48-hour steps after a positive Legionella result are taken as soon as possible; the hours are the latest they may come.Admin Code §17-194.1(e)(2)
  3. Certify on November 1, then twice a yearThe 2026 certification to DOB is due November 1. From 2027 it is due in January and July, unless DOB sets other dates by rule; none have been published.Admin Code §28-317.5; Chapter 206 of 2026
  4. Keep records 10 yearsFrom November 3, 2026, the Administrative Code asks for 10 years, though Chapter 8 still says 3. Keeping them 10 years meets both.Admin Code §17-194.1(h); Chapter 206 of 2026
  5. Expect higher penaltiesFrom November 3, 2026, the Administrative Code caps a civil penalty at $2,500 for a first violation and $7,000 for a second or later one, from $2,000 and $5,000, and at $12,500, from $10,000, for one accompanied by or resulting in a fatality or serious injury. DOHMH’s schedule, doubled on May 8, is below.Admin Code §17-194.1(i); Chapter 206 of 2026
  6. Look for DOHMH’s reminderDOHMH emails a reminder at least 30 days before each certification deadline.Chapter 206 of 2026

Deadlines

The clocks

  • DOHMH’s amended rulesIn force since May 8, 202624 RCNY Chapter 8
  • As soon as possible after a positive resultSince September 4, 2026Admin Code §17-194.1(e)(2)
  • Certification to DOB, 2026November 1, 2026Admin Code §28-317.5
  • 10-year records and higher penalty capsFrom November 3, 2026Chapter 206 of 2026
  • Certification to DOB, 2027January and July, dates pending a DOB ruleChapter 206 of 2026

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.

  • Legionella culture sample, no more than 31 days apartAdmin Code §17-194.1(e); 24 RCNY §8-05(f)(3)$2,000 / $4,000 · AH8S
  • Report the sample date to DOHMH within 5 daysAdmin Code §17-194.1(f)$1,000 / $2,000 · AHK2Filed late: $500 / $1,000 · AHK0
  • Disinfect within 24 hours of a positive Legionella result24 RCNY §8-05(f)(5), Table 8-1$2,000 / $4,000 · AH8U
  • Full remediation within 48 hours: hyperhalogenate, drain, clean, flush24 RCNY §8-05(f)(5), Table 8-1, level 4$2,000 / $4,000 · AH8U
  • 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)

FAQ

Questions owners ask

Is Chapter 206 a City law or a State law?

A State law, passed in Albany as A9058-A and signed on August 5, 2026. It amends New York City’s Administrative Code, so it applies with Local Law 77 and DOHMH’s rules.

Did the amounts on a summons change on November 3?

The Administrative Code’s caps rose. The amount on a summons comes from DOHMH’s penalty schedule, which doubled on May 8, 2026.

What should I do before November 3?

File the November 1 certification and keep its receipt, check that every sample date since May 8 reached the portal, and set records to be kept 10 years.

When will the January and July dates be set?

When DOB publishes a rule. Chapter 206 lets DOB set other dates; until it does, plan for January and July 2027.

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 19, 2026

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