Are you aware of the new building inspection mandates recently rolled out by the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)? With the new year underway, Milrose’s team of technical experts are keeping you in-the-know with a breakdown of the important upcoming building inspection deadlines and updates you should be aware of to ensure a successful year.
New for 2024: Parking Structures and Parapets Inspections
Parking Structures*new*
Deadline: August 1, 2024
Local Law 126 of 2021 requires owners of parking structures in NYC to have routine inspections performed by a Qualified Parking Structure Inspector (QPSI) and maintained every six years. The DOB inspection windows for compliance with this local law are the following:
- Manhattan Community Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023
- Manhattan Community Districts 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and Brooklyn Community Districts: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2025
- Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island Community Districts: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The DOB recently released an update to this law requiring every parking structure in NYC to have a one-time initial observation of the parking structure performed (or under direct supervision) of a QPSI, with a report filed to the DOB by August 1, 2024.
This new required observation report will be in addition to the previously required engineering reports that are still due in 2025 and 2027. Owners are encouraged to schedule inspections early to avoid a late filing penalty of $1,000 per month. For more information on LL126 requirements, please reference this helpful resource published by our Strategic Partner Howard L. Zimmerman Architects & Engineers, D.P.C. (HLZAE).
Parapets*new*
Deadline: December 31, 2024
As of January 1, 2024, building owners must have their parapets inspected annually as mandated by Local Law 126. This new regulation applies to all NYC-based buildings that have parapets which are visible from the public right-of-way—regardless of height. Building owners must have a competent and qualified professional perform the inspection. This individual may be, but not limited to, masons, architects, engineers, bricklayers, handymen, and building superintendents.
Buildings that are exempt from this new regulation include:
- Detached one-or-two family homes.
- Buildings with barriers that prevent public access to the exterior wall that is not associated with the property.
Although it is not mandated to file the report, building owners are required to maintain them for at least six years in the event the Department of Buildings requests them.
As city regulations evolve, so will the latest safety inspection requirements. The latest updates and deadlines are as follows:
Façades
Deadline: February 21, 2024
The deadline for Cycle 9 FISP Window C is quickly approaching on February 21, 2024 for blocks ending in 1, 2, or 3.
- New York City’s Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP), formerly known as Local Law 11/98, requires a comprehensive hands-on inspection of the exterior walls and appurtenances of buildings that exceed six stories. As per FISP, these inspections must be conducted, witnessed, or supervised by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI).
It might seem far away now, but Cycle 10 is right around the corner with the A Window opening February 21, 2025. It is important to start planning accordingly and perform necessary repairs to your building to avoid potential violations. Building owners are encouraged to schedule inspections early to avoid a late filing penalty of $1,000 per month.
Retaining Walls
Deadline: December 31, 2024 for Bronx properties
As per Local Law 37/08, owners and managers of properties in The Bronx must have their retaining walls inspected every five years by a QRWI if the walls measure 10 feet or higher and face a public right-of-way. Failure to file by the deadline may result in civil penalties of $1,000 per year, plus a $250 per month penalty until the property owner is in compliance.
Gas Piping Systems
Deadline: December 31, 2024
Local Law 152 requires the periodic inspection of gas piping systems of all buildings at least once every four years by a Licensed Master Plumber (LMP). Buildings that are exempt include one-and two-family homes and other Occupancy Group R-3 buildings.
Below are the current LL152 filing windows:
Owners of buildings without a gas piping system are also required to submit a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification (GPS2). This form must not only be signed by a registered design professional, but must also state that the building does not contain gas piping. Filing for these buildings follows the same inspection window deadlines outlined above.
Failure to file the GPS2 on time is regarded as a major violation (Class 2) and may result in court proceedings and a civil penalty of $5,000.
Elevators
Deadline: December 31, 2024
In accordance with Local Law 126 of 2021, NYC now requires that every elevator located within the five boroughs (there are over 70,000 of them) be inspected and tested by a licensed elevator inspection agency twice a year, on behalf of the property owner. This rule is mandated by the Department of Buildings (DOB) and applies to all elevators that fit into Category 1 and Category 5 classifications.
Boilers
Deadline: December 31, 2024
All high-pressure boilers as well as some low-pressure boilers must be inspected once a year during the Boiler Inspection Cycle, which runs from January 1 through December 31. It is important to note that all inspection reports must be received by the DOB within 14 days of the inspection date.
Local Laws 87 and 97
Local Law 87
Deadline December 31, 2024: Owners must submit EER to the City for Tax Block 4
Local Law 87 was enacted in 2009 as part of New York City’s Greener, Greater Buildings Plan (GGBP), to improve the energy efficiency of buildings in NYC. It requires buildings larger than 50,000 square feet—or two or more buildings that together exceed 100,000 square feet and share a tax lot—to submit an Energy Efficiency Report (EER) and Retro-Commissioning Report (RCx) every 10 years. Failure to submit these reports by the due date specified will face a $3,000 fine for the first year and a $5,000 fine every subsequent year should owners fail to honor the deadlines.
Owners must submit their EER to the City by December 31 of the year they are due, once every ten years. For example, if the last digit to the tax block number ends in a 4, filing is required in 2014, 2024, 2034, etc.
Local Law 97
Local Law 97 was enacted in 2019 as the backbone of the Climate Mobilization Act for the purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced from New York City’s largest buildings. According to NYC.gov: “…most buildings over 25,000 square feet are required to meet new energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions limits as of 2024, with stricter limits coming in 2030.” The goal is to reduce this emission to 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050.
Recently the DOB released an updated set of rules to give building owners additional time to develop and implement strategic decarbonization plans for upgrades and retrofits while optimizing their funds.
Here are some important dates and deadlines to keep in mind for LL97 compliance:
- Compliance Report or De-carbonization plan for all buildings required to comply must be submitted by May 1, 2025 with yearly reporting due every May 1st
- Emission caps will become more stringent every 5 years
- Emissions will be calculated using benchmarking data, starting with 2024 utility data
Alternative compliance, including “Good Faith Efforts” De-carbonization plan MUST:
- Be completed by a registered design professional
- Outline measures to achieve 2024 limits by 2026
- Outline measures to achieve limits for every future compliance period on time
- Outline measures to achieve net zero by 2050
- Work to achieve 2024 limit must be completed by 2026
So, if you are a landlord, what measures must you take to achieve the city’s bold climate goals—and without paying penalties? The first step is to accurately report your building’s square footage, which will lay the groundwork for a strategic plan to decrease your energy emissions score.
Milrose and HLZAE’s teams are here to help!
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Milrose’s inspection experts at Howard L. Zimmerman Architects & Engineers, D.P.C. here to help you get prepared to meet compliance with NYC’s upcoming local law deadlines. A member of the Milrose Family of Companies, HLZAE is New York’s go-to architecture and engineering firm that specializes in the exterior and interior restoration, preservation, and alteration of existing buildings and their systems. As city regulations continually evolve, you can rely on our team of experts to help you maintain the safety and integrity of your buildings—and your success.
Connect with us today to learn more about our services.
