One of the most common sources of confusion for NYC property owners dealing with Local Law 152 compliance is the difference between GPS1 and GPS2 forms.
Many owners assume that receiving a gas piping inspection report means everything has been completed. In reality, GPS1 and GPS2 serve different purposes, and having one does not automatically mean the other has been filed.
Understanding the distinction can help prevent missed compliance requirements, DOB violations, and unnecessary headaches.
The simplest way to understand GPS1 vs GPS2 NYC is:
GPS1 documents the findings of the inspection. GPS2 certifies that the required gas piping inspection has been completed and reported to the DOB.
Although they are related, they are not interchangeable.
The GPS1 form is the official inspection report prepared by the Licensed Master Plumber (LMP) who performed the Local Law 152 gas piping inspection.
This report typically includes:
The GPS1 serves as a permanent record of what was observed during the inspection.
Property owners should retain this document because it may be needed later to demonstrate compliance history, verify inspection dates, or document repairs that were required before certification.
The GPS2 form is the certification document submitted to the NYC Department of Buildings.
Its purpose is to notify DOB that the required gas piping inspection has been completed and properly certified for the property.
The GPS2 filing confirms:
Without a properly submitted GPS2, DOB records may still show the property as non-compliant—even if an inspection was performed.
Most building owners only interact with the inspection process itself.
A typical sequence looks like this:
1. Schedule and Inspect
Schedule the inspection and meet with the Licensed Master Plumber.
2. Receive Report & Invoice
Receive the inspection report and pay the invoice.
3. Assume Compliance
Assume compliance is complete. This is where issues arise.
The problem is that Local Law 152 compliance does not end with the inspection. The certification must also be properly submitted to DOB. If the GPS1 remains in a filing cabinet and the GPS2 is never filed or accepted, the property may still appear non-compliant in DOB records.
A useful way to think about the two forms is:
GPS1 (Inspection Report)
Documents inspection findings. Used by the property owner and building records.
GPS2 (DOB Certification)
Certifies inspection completion to DOB. Used by the NYC Department of Buildings to
establish compliance.
For every inspection cycle, property owners should create a dedicated compliance folder containing:
Maintaining a complete file can be extremely valuable if ownership changes, a management company is replaced, or DOB requests documentation in the future.
Some of the most frequent errors include:
A simple record-keeping system can prevent most of these issues.
When comparing GPS1 vs GPS2 NYC, remember that they serve two different functions. GPS1 documents what the inspector found during the gas piping inspection. GPS2 is the certification submitted to DOB to demonstrate compliance with Local Law 152.
Property owners should keep both forms, verify that the certification was properly filed, and maintain complete records for every inspection cycle. Doing so helps avoid compliance problems and ensures that DOB records accurately reflect the building's inspection status.
Is GPS1 filed with the NYC Department of Buildings?
No. GPS1 is the inspection report prepared by the Licensed Master Plumber. The DOB certification process is handled through GPS2.
Which form proves Local Law 152 compliance?
Property owners should keep both forms, but official DOB compliance generally depends on the proper submission and acceptance of the GPS2 certification.
Can I discard old GPS1 inspection reports?
No. GPS1 reports should be retained as part of the building's permanent compliance records for each inspection cycle.
What happens if I have a GPS1 but no GPS2?
The inspection may have occurred, but DOB records may still show the property as non-compliant if the required certification was not properly submitted.
Do all buildings need both GPS1 and GPS2?
Buildings subject to Local Law 152 requirements should maintain both the inspection report and the associated certification records to demonstrate complete compliance.