New York Building Safety Regulations

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NYC FISP Cycle 10 Important Deadlines and Fines

Sub-Cycle A Deadline

Sub-Cycle B Deadline

Sub-Cycle C Deadline

February 21, 2027
(Block numbers ending in 4, 5, 6, 9)

February 21, 2028
(Block numbers ending in 0, 7, 8)

February 21, 2029
(Block numbers ending in 1, 2, 3)

Late Filing

Failure to File

Unsafe Facade

$1,000/month

$5,000/year

Up to $25,000 ECB penalty

New York Building Safety Regulations at a Glance

New York City enforces some of the most rigorous building safety inspection requirements in the country. The Facade Inspection & Safety Program (FISP), formerly known as Local Law 11, requires owners of buildings greater than six stories to have exterior walls and appurtenances inspected by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) every five years and to file a technical report with the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB).

FISP Cycle 10 (the current inspection period) commenced on February 21, 2025, and runs through February 21, 2030. With updated inspection criteria, enhanced documentation expectations, and substantial penalties for non-compliance, building owners must act early to avoid costly violations.

Beyond FISP, New York City has enacted a growing portfolio of building safety and energy compliance laws; including Local Law 126 (parking structure inspections), Local Law 152 (gas piping inspections), annual parapet inspections, and Local Law 97 (carbon emissions). Rimkus provides comprehensive compliance support across all of these mandates.

Regulation

Applies To

Cycle

Next Deadline

Penalty

FISP / Local Law 11

Buildings > 6 stories

Every 5 years (3 sub-cycles)

Cycle 10A: February 21, 2027

$1,000/month late; $5,000/year failure; $25,000 max ECB

Local Law 126 (Parking)

All parking structures

Every 6 years

Varies by sub-cycle

$1,000/month late; up to $17,000/year non-compliance

Local Law 152 (Gas Piping)

Most buildings

Every 4 years by district

Varies by district

$10,000 civil penalty per violation

Annual Parapet Inspection

Buildings with parapets (public ROW)

Annual by December 31

December 31, 2026

$1,250 minimum; $10,000 maximum

Local Law 97 (Emissions)

Buildings 25,000 SF+

Annual reporting

May 1, 2026

Varies based on excess emissions

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FISP Cycle 10: What Building Owners Need to Know

The Facade Inspection & Safety Program (FISP) requires the exterior walls of all New York City buildings greater than six stories to be inspected by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) and a technical report filed with the DOB. The QEWI must be a New York State licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) who has completed DOB registration and appears on the NYC DOB Approved QEWI list.

FISP inspections are divided into three staggered two-year sub-cycles based on the last digit of the building’s block number. Buildings can look up their block number through the NYC ACRIS system or the DOB Building Information System (BIS) portal using the Borough, Block, and Lot (BBL) lookup.

Critical examinations require a comprehensive visual inspection and physical inspection at intervals of not more than 60 feet on all walls facing a public right of way. For cavity wall construction, investigative probes are required on alternating cycles to check wall tie conditions. All reports are filed electronically through DOB NOW: Safety.

Facade Classifications

Safe

  • No hazardous conditions observed
  • No further action required until next cycle

Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program (SWARMP)

  • Conditions observed that require repair before the next inspection cycle
  • A recommended repair date must be included in the report

Unsafe

  • Conditions posing immediate danger to public safety
  • Requires urgent repairs and protective measures (such as sidewalk sheds)
  • SWARMP conditions from the previous cycle that remain unrepaired typically default to Unsafe status

Penalties for FISP Non-Compliance

  • Late filing of initial report: $1,000 per month (calculated retroactively from deadline)
  • Failure to file: $5,000 per year
  • Unsafe facade conditions: ECB base penalty of $5,000; maximum penalty up to $25,000 under NYC Rules Section 102-01
  • Failure to install sidewalk shed when required: Additional penalties and potential DOB enforcement action
  • Annual parapet inspection failure: $1,250 minimum; $10,000 maximum
New York Skyline on New York Building Safety Regulations page

Avoid $25,000 in ECB Penalties

Thousands of NYC buildings compete for a limited pool of qualified inspectors during each FISP cycle. Early engagement within your assigned sub-cycle window reduces scheduling conflicts and helps secure qualified professionals before demand peaks near deadlines.

Rimkus’ licensed QEWIs file directly through DOB NOW: Safety and handle inspection, reporting, and remediation design in one engagement. Sub-Cycle A buildings have until February 21, 2027, but qualified inspectors book out fast as the deadline nears.

Contact us to schedule a FISP inspection today.

Frequently Asked Questions

FISP (Facade Inspection & Safety Program) is the current name for the periodic facade inspection program originally established under Local Law 10 in 1980 and expanded under Local Law 11 in 1998. FISP requires buildings over six stories in New York City to have their exterior walls inspected by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) every five years and a technical report filed with the DOB.

If your building is greater than six stories (including basement) and located in New York City, it is required to comply with FISP. You can confirm your building’s status using the DOB’s FISP Universe Map or the BIS portal. The building’s block number determines which sub-cycle applies.

A Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) is a New York State licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) who has been approved by the NYC DOB to perform FISP inspections. You can verify an inspector’s credentials on the NYC DOB Approved QEWI list. Rimkus employs licensed QEWIs with extensive FISP experience.

Late filing incurs a $1,000 per month penalty calculated retroactively from the deadline. Failure to file results in $5,000 annual charges. Unsafe facade conditions carry ECB penalties up to $25,000. Additionally, an Unsafe designation may require immediate sidewalk shed installation, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars annually.

SWARMP (Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program) means conditions were observed that require repair before the next inspection cycle but do not pose an immediate danger. Unsafe means conditions pose immediate danger to public safety and require urgent repairs — often including sidewalk shed installation. SWARMP conditions from the previous cycle that remain unrepaired typically default to Unsafe in the next cycle.

Cycle 10 commenced on February 21, 2025, and runs through February 21, 2030. Sub-Cycle A (block numbers ending in 4, 5, 6, 9): file by Feb 21, 2027. Sub-Cycle B (0, 7, 8): file by Feb 21, 2028. Sub-Cycle C (1, 2, 3): file by Feb 21, 2029.

Beyond FISP, NYC requires Local Law 126 inspections for parking structures (every 6 years), Local Law 152 gas piping inspections (every 4 years by community district), annual parapet inspections for buildings with parapets facing a public right-of-way, and Local Law 97 carbon emissions reporting for buildings 25,000 SF and larger.

Yes. Rimkus’ licensed Professional Engineers, Registered Architects, and QEWIs perform FISP inspections, parking structure inspections, parapet inspections, and comprehensive facade assessments across New York City. We also provide remediation design and project oversight when repairs are required. Contact us to discuss your building’s needs.

Need Help? Contact Rimkus

FISP Cycle 10 is underway, and Sub-Cycle A buildings must file by February 21, 2027. Don’t wait until demand peaks near the deadline — schedule your inspection now to avoid scheduling conflicts and late-filing penalties.

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