FISP Cycle 10 Is Underway: Why Early Action Can Save You Thousands

The filing window for Sub-cycle 10A is now open. With tighter Department of Buildings (DOB) requirements and updated sidewalk shed regulations in effect, delaying action can quickly drive up project costs.

For buildings six stories or taller in New York City, facade inspections aren’t optional. They’re required by law. FISP Cycle 10 is officially underway, and building owners should be planning accordingly.

The Facade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP), formerly known as Local Law 11, requires periodic inspections of exterior walls and appurtenances by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI). Each building must submit a report to the NYC DOB within its designated filing window. Failure to comply can lead to substantial and compounding penalties.

Where We Are in Cycle 10

Sub-cycle 10A opened on February 21, 2025 and runs through February 21, 2027. It applies to buildings with block numbers ending in 4, 5, 6, or 9. Sub-cycle 10B is now open, having started in February 2026, for blocks ending in 0, 7, or 8. Sub-cycle 10C will follow in 2027 for blocks ending in 1, 2, or 3.

On paper, the timeline seems manageable. In practice, it rarely feels that way. More than 16,000 buildings fall under FISP in New York City, and the number of qualified inspectors is limited. As deadlines approach, scheduling inspections, coordinating site access, and completing filings without delays becomes increasingly difficult.

What Cycle 10 Requires

Cycle 10 carries forward a set of stricter standards that first took effect in Cycle 9 and remain in place today. Reporting standards call for detailed observations and expanded photographic documentation. QEWIs must also meet a higher experience threshold, with a minimum of seven years of relevant work.

Owners also need to stay on top of the SWARMP reclassification rule. Any Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program (SWARMP) condition identified in a prior cycle that remains uncorrected must be reclassified as Unsafe.

This shift is significant. If outstanding issues from Cycle 9 haven’t been resolved, the focus is no longer just on completing a new inspection. It’s on addressing those conditions before they trigger an Unsafe designation. Once classified as Unsafe, immediate protective measures are required, along with significantly higher penalties.

Understanding the Penalties

FISP compliance is strictly enforced. Late filing of an initial report carries a penalty of $1,000 per month, while failure to file altogether results in fines of $5,000 per year. Failure to correct Unsafe conditions begins at $1,000 per month and can escalate depending on how long sidewalk sheds remain in place.

At the same time, the City’s updated sidewalk shed regulations now limit permits to 90 days without automatic renewal. This adds another layer of urgency and increases financial exposure when Unsafe conditions are present.

A Coordinated Approach to Compliance

FISP compliance goes beyond completing an inspection. It requires accurate reporting, timely filing, and careful management of any resulting repair work.

The collaboration between HLZAE and the Milrose family of companies brings a more comprehensive approach to that process. HLZAE has been a leader in facade inspection and restoration since 1981, with a team of architects and engineers who have submitted more than 1,180 initial FISP reports across the last two completed cycles. Their established working relationship with the DOB’s Local Law and Facades Unit supports efficient project execution.

Milrose complements this work by managing the compliance and filing process, ensuring permits, renewals, and regulatory submissions are handled accurately and on schedule. Together, the teams support the full lifecycle of facade compliance, from inspection through repair, permitting, and closeout.

The Bottom Line

Early action isn’t just a best practice. It’s the most cost-effective approach.

Starting early allows for more thoughtful repair planning, smoother coordination with tenants, and helps avoid the time and cost pressures that build as filing deadlines approach.

For buildings within Sub-cycles 10A and 10B, now is the time to begin. Engaging early with experienced partners helps ensure compliance, reduce risk, and keep projects moving.