Parapet Inspections Required in NYC

As of January 1, 2024, New York City mandates annual parapet inspections for buildings with parapets fronting the public right-of-way, regardless of height. Exceptions include detached one- or two-family homes and buildings with barriers preventing access to the exterior wall. Importantly, a parapet wall is not the same as a cornice, since that strucure frequently does not rise above the roof line behind it.

Inspection Requirements:

• Frequency: Inspections must be completed annually, with reports prepared by December 31 each year. The first inspection should have been completed by December 31, 2024.

  
  

• Inspector Qualifications: A competent person must perform the observation. This includes, but is not limited to, a bricklayer, building superintendent, handyman, mason, architect, engineer, or an inspector working for a New York State-authorized insurance company.

  
  

• Inspection Scope: The inspection must include close-up examinations of the entire parapet, which can be conducted from a fire escape or roof. It should assess:

  • Whether the parapet is plumb within one-eighth of its cross-sectional thickness.

  • Signs of deterioration, such as displacement, cracks, missing or loose bricks or coping stones, deteriorated mortar joints, spalling, or rot.

  • The stability of appurtenances like telecommunications equipment, railings, roof access rails, gooseneck ladders, handrail attachments for fire escapes, and signs

    
    

Reporting and Record-Keeping:

• Report Contents: The report must include:

  • Property address.

  • Owner's name, mailing address, and telephone number.

  • Inspector's name, contact information, and affiliation.

  • Dates of the observation.

  • Location plan of the parapet(s) observed.

  • Construction details of the parapet, including material, height, and thickness.

  • General conditions noted, identification of any unsafe conditions, and actions taken to remedy them.

  • Details of any repairs made since the previous report.

  • Dated photos documenting conditions at the time of observation.

    
    
    
    

• Retention: Owners must maintain these reports for at least six years and make them available to the Department of Buildings upon request. Reports are not required to be submitted to the Department unless requested.

  
  

Addressing Unsafe Conditions:

• Immediate Action: If unsafe conditions are identified, the inspector must immediately notify the Department of Buildings by calling 311 and emailing parapets@buildings.nyc.gov. The owner must promptly install public protection measures, such as sidewalk sheds, fences, or safety netting, to ensure public safety.

  
  

• Correction Timeline: All unsafe conditions must be corrected within 90 days from the notification to the Department. Public protection must remain in place until the unsafe condition is remedied.

  
  

For detailed information, refer to the NYC Department of Buildings' official guidelines on parapet inspections. NYC.gov