Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP)

Local Law 11 of 1998, now known as the Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP), is a New York City regulation that mandates regular inspections of exterior walls and appurtenances for buildings taller than six stories. The primary goal is to ensure public safety by identifying and addressing potential hazards such as falling debris.

Key Requirements:

  1. Inspection Frequency: Building owners must have their properties inspected every five years. These inspections are organized into cycles, each lasting five years, and are further divided into sub-cycles (A, B, and C) based on the last digit of the building's block number. This staggered scheduling helps manage the inspection workload across the city.

     

  2. Qualified Inspectors: Inspections must be conducted by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI), who is either a New York State licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) with at least seven years of relevant experience. The QEWI is responsible for performing a critical examination of the building's exterior walls and appurtenances.

     

  3. Inspection Process: The examination includes both visual assessments and hands-on inspections. Hands-on inspections are required at intervals not exceeding 60 feet along facades facing streets or public access ways. For buildings with cavity wall construction, investigative probes are mandated every other cycle (e.g., Cycle 9, Cycle 11) to assess the presence and condition of wall ties.

     

  4. Report Submission: After the inspection, the QEWI must file a technical report with the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) through the DOB NOW: Safety portal. The report classifies the building's façade under one of three statuses:

    • Safe: No issues detected; the façade is in good condition.
    • Safe with a Repair and Maintenance Program (SWARMP): Conditions that are safe currently but require repairs or maintenance within the next five years to prevent them from becoming unsafe.
    • Unsafe: Conditions that pose an immediate threat to public safety and require prompt remedial action.

  5. Addressing Unsafe Conditions: If a façade is classified as unsafe, the building owner must immediately install protective measures, such as sidewalk sheds or safety nets, to safeguard the public. All unsafe conditions must be corrected within 90 days of filing the report. Once repairs are completed, an amended report must be filed within two weeks to update the building's status.

     

  6. Penalties for Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with FISP requirements can result in significant penalties. Late filing of inspection reports incurs a fine of $1,000 per month, while failure to file can lead to a penalty of $5,000 per year. Additionally, not addressing unsafe conditions within the stipulated timeframe can result in further fines.

    It's crucial for building owners to adhere to these regulations to ensure public safety and avoid legal and financial repercussions. Regular maintenance and timely inspections not only comply with the law but also contribute to the longevity and structural integrity of the buildings.

 

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Local Law 11 of 1998, also known as the Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP), mandates that owners of buildings taller than six stories in New York City have their exterior walls and appurtenances inspected every five years. These inspections are organized into cycles, each divided into sub-cycles based on the last digit of the building's block number.

Cycle 7 spanned from February 21, 2010, to February 20, 2015, with the following sub-cycle deadlines:

  • Sub-Cycle 7A: Buildings with block numbers ending in 4, 5, 6, or 9 were required to file their reports between February 21, 2010, and February 21, 2012.

  • Sub-Cycle 7B: Buildings with block numbers ending in 0, 7, or 8 had a filing window from February 21, 2011, to August 21, 2012.

  • Sub-Cycle 7C: Buildings with block numbers ending in 1, 2, or 3 needed to file between February 21, 2012, and February 21, 2013.

Cycle 8 commenced on February 21, 2015, and concluded on February 20, 2020, with the following sub-cycle deadlines:

  • Sub-Cycle 8A: Buildings with block numbers ending in 4, 5, 6, or 9 were to file between February 21, 2015, and February 21, 2017.

  • Sub-Cycle 8B: Buildings with block numbers ending in 0, 7, or 8 had a filing window from February 21, 2016, to February 21, 2018.

  • Sub-Cycle 8C: Buildings with block numbers ending in 1, 2, or 3 were required to file between February 21, 2017, and February 21, 2019.

As of today, February 7, 2025, Cycle 9 is nearing its end on February 20, 2025. Cycle 10 is set to begin on February 21, 2025, with the following sub-cycle schedules:

  • Sub-Cycle 10A: Buildings with block numbers ending in 4, 5, 6, or 9 must file their reports between February 21, 2025, and February 21, 2027.

  • Sub-Cycle 10B: Buildings with block numbers ending in 0, 7, or 8 are to file between February 21, 2026, and February 21, 2028.

  • Sub-Cycle 10C: Buildings with block numbers ending in 1, 2, or 3 should file between February 21, 2027, and February 21, 2029.

It's crucial for building owners to adhere to these schedules to avoid penalties and ensure public safety. Late filings can result in fines of $1,000 per month, and failure to file may lead to fines of $5,000 per year. Scheduling inspections early allows ample time for necessary repairs and helps prevent last-minute delays before deadlines.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the NYC Department of Buildings' official guidelines on façade inspections.
 
 
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Façade Inspection & Safety Program (FISP) Filing Instructions 

Owners of buildings higher than six (6) stories must have exterior walls and appurtenances inspected every five (5) years and a technical façade report must be electronically filed with the Department through DOB NOW: Safety.

Filing Requirements

FISP Reports must be submitted electronically through DOB NOW: Safety. Once a Registered Design Professional (RDP) meets the required experience and qualifications they will be able to apply for a QEWI (Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector) status that will enable them to file FISP reports in DOB NOW: Safety.

A design professional must first create an eFiling account with the Department. If the RDP is a QEWI, once registered in eFiling, the Department’s Façades Unit must be contacted at façades@buildings.nyc.gov to be granted access to DOB NOW: Safety.

Register in eFiling if you are a QEWI

  • Fill out the Authentication Form (also called Electronic Filing Account Information) online. To complete the form, you will need to provide your contact information, license number, tracking number, business name and create a password.
  • Submit the form and supporting credential information.
  • RDPs must sign, date, and seal the Authentication Form.
  • All design professionals must be registered with New York State before activating their eFiling account.

Once your account has been confirmed, you must contact the Department’s Façade Unit at facades@buildings.nyc.gov to be granted access as a QEWI in DOB NOW: Safety. 

NOTE: Building owners must open a Department eFiling account to give consent to all the QEWI’s reports.

To register if you are an Owner or Owner Representative

  • Fill out the Authentication Form (also called Electronic Filing Account Information) online.  To complete the form, you will need to provide your contact information and create a password.
  • Click Submit
  • You will receive an email confirming the creation of your eFiling account. Click the link in the email.
  • You will receive another email with instructions on how to log in to eFiling.

Submission Requirements

In-person Submission Process for RDPs
Design Professionals must have and show their DOB-issued ID card when they submit their registration at the LAA/Permit Renewal and Hub Authentication Unit Customer service window.

Mail-in Process for Design Professionals
Design Professionals must follow the enrollment process outlined in this eFiling Service Notice. This form must be mailed to:

NYC Department of Buildings
attn: eFiling Authentication
280 Broadway, 1st Floor
New York, NY 10007

For more information on how to create and submit a report in DOB NOW: Safety, please refer to the DOB NOW: Safety training manuals.

Façade Technical Review

  1. Once the report has been submitted, it follows an internal process beginning with an Administrative Review, followed by a Plan Examiner Review, and then either an Accepted or Rejected disposition. The current status of the report will be displayed on a ribbon located at the top of the QEWI’s dashboard in DOB NOW: Safety.
  2. The report must comply with 1 RCNY 103-04, including but not limited to inspection, reporting and filing requirements. Any omissions may be grounds for rejecting the report.
  3. Please take notice that the following items are frequently omitted or not complied with:
    • Lack of photographs and/or sketch for SWARMP or Unsafe conditions
    • Time frame for recommended repairs
    • Scaffold drop and location of same
    • Report findings inconsistent with photographs
    • Current and clear color photographs
    • Filing within 60 days after the completion of the inspection
    • Owner information in Section 7 of the TR6 is not accurate and does not match Department of Finance records. If this information is inaccurate, the FISP/Local Law Unit will mark the submission as Incomplete and you will have five (5) days to resubmit with the correct information, otherwise the submission will lose its original filing date.
  4. For any recommended repairs, indicate if work permit and Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) approval is required.

Amended Report Technical Review

  1. Provide clear statement ‘there are no unsafe conditions’ for all of the exterior walls, including areas not mentioned in the unsafe report.
  2. Clearly indicate that the unsafe conditions ‘item by item’ have been corrected and how they were corrected.
  3. Indicate if a work permit was required and if yes, please provide a copy.
  4. All open OATH violations and complaints regarding the façade must be addressed/corrected. Please review BIS records for the most up-to-date information.
  5. Stability of appurtenances
    • Scaffold location
    • Letter of Completion from the borough office, if required.
 

Helpful Links

 
 
 
 

DISCLAIMER to comply with the New York City Consumer Protection Law which applies to all businesses operating in New York City: We are small family-owned and family-operated Brooklyn-based business. We are not a City of New York store nor are the website, products or services affiliated with the City of New York or any agency of the City of New York. We ourselves, our business, websites, products, services, or any hyperlinks from its website are not sponsored by, approved by, affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the City of New York or any agency of the City of New York, including but not limited to HPD, DOB, DOT, DSNY, FDNY and federal directly or by implication.

DISCLAIMER These codes may not be the most recent version. The State / federal or other regulation department may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

The requirements for sign content are determined by intended use and by applicable regulation. The BUYER is responsible for determining the appropriate content for a sign or package of signs.  WE makes no warranty or representation of suitability of a sign for any specific application. IT IS THE CUSTOMER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE SIGNS THE CUSTOMER ORDERS ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL STATE, FEDERAL, LOCAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAWS. Please review terms and conditions prior to purchase. 

For more information about what is required, see the laws that are referenced and the rules applicable to your city and state. This page is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice, professional advice or a statement of law. You may wish to consult with an attorney.