NYC Parapet SPECIALISTS

This rule is applicable to all buildings located within New York City, regardless of their height, as long as they have parapets that are visible from the public right-of-way. However, detached 1 or 2 family homes and buildings equipped with barriers that prevent public access to the exterior wall are exempt from this requirement.

NYC has enacted Local Law 126 which applies to all  buildings up to 6 Stories which adjoin a sidewalk, roadway or any other public space. This is to protect  public safety by identifying  items that are in danger of detaching which could cause harm to those below.

A parapet wall is  generally defined as the  perimeter wall above the roof line of a building primarily found on flat roofs. 

Building Attachments: This includes items such as: Fire Escapes, Cornices, Chimneys, Ornamental Attachments, Railings, Etc.

Facade: This includes the condition of masonry or any other siding material in terms of its observed structural condition.

To comply with the rule, building owners must hire a qualified professional or an individual capable of identifying hazards on the parapet. Those qualified to perform these inspections include, but are not limited to: bricklayers, building superintendents, handymen, masons, architects, engineers, inspectors from New York State-authorized insurance companies, New York State authorized building inspectors, and individuals with relevant expertise.

The parapet inspections must be thorough, encompassing close-up examinations of the entire parapet, which can be conducted by boom trucks, scaffolds, and other methods for cornices. They can also be conducted from a fire escape or the roof. The inspection should include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Ensuring the parapet is plumb by a horizontal distance within one-eighth of its cross-sectional thickness at any location.

2. Assessing for excessive deterioration, which includes displacement, cracks (horizontal or diagonal), missing or loose bricks or coping stones, deteriorated mortar joints, spalling, or rot.

3. Verifying the stability of appurtenances, such as telecommunications equipment, railings, roof access rails, gooseneck ladders, handrail attachments for fire escapes, and signs.

In cases where the parapet inspection reveals a hazardous or unsafe condition, swift action is required:

1. The individual conducting the inspection must immediately notify the Department of Buildings by calling 311 and emailing parapets@buildings.nyc.gov.

2. The building owner must promptly install public protection measures, such as erecting sidewalk sheds, fences, or safety netting, to ensure public safety.

3. All hazardous conditions must be remedied within ninety (90) days from the notification to the Department, with the public protection measures remaining in place until the issue is fully resolved.

Parapet inspections must be completed and an observation report kept on file by December 31 of each year.

Building owners must prepare detailed reports of the parapet inspection, which must, in the following order and sequence, include but is not limited to:

1. Building address and any associated addresses.

2. Owner’s name, mailing address, telephone number, or, if the owner is an entity, the principal’s name, mailing address, telephon number, and position/title.

3. The name of the person who conducted the inspection, along with their contact information and affiliation with the building or owner.

4. Date(s) of the inspection.

5. A location plan of the parapet(s) observed.

6. Parapet construction details, including materials, height, and thickness.

7. General conditions observed, any unsafe conditions or conditions requiring maintenance found, and actions that must be taken to address them.

8. Documentation of any repairs made to the parapet since the previous report.

9. Dated photos documenting the parapet’s condition at the time of inspection.

The observation report must state if the parapet is unsafe, safe or requires maintenance. In the year when a building is subject to the FISP and submits a FISP report, it may serve as the observation report for the parapet inspection rule, provided that it contains all the information required. The owner must maintain a copy of the FISP report for availability upon request.

Owners are required to maintain these observation reports for at least six (6) years and must make them available to the Department of Buildings upon request. While the inspection reports are not mandated to be filed, building owners are strongly encouraged to treat this requirement seriously and consider assistance from qualified professionals as needed to fulfill their obligations under this rule. This regulation, designed to enhance public safety and maintain the structural integrity of buildings, is a critical step toward safeguarding both properties and public safety.