Q: What is a façade inspection in NYC?

A facade inspection is a hands-on examination of a building’s exterior walls, appurtenances, and exposed elements performed by a Qualified Inspector. The inspection identifies unsafe conditions, deterioration, or maintenance issues that could pose a hazard to the public. Inspections can be conducted using traditional scaffolding or, increasingly, through Industrial Rope Access (IRA), which delivers the same DOB-compliant, hands-on review with less disruption and at a fraction of the cost. Milrose coordinates the full inspection and reporting process, including method selection, scheduling, documentation, and filing, so owners stay compliant and buildings remain safe.

Question 1

What is a façade inspection in NYC?

Accepted Answer

A facade inspection is a hands-on examination of a building&#8217;s exterior walls, appurtenances, and exposed elements performed by a Qualified Inspector. The inspection identifies unsafe conditions, deterioration, or maintenance issues that could pose a hazard to the public. Inspections can be conducted using traditional scaffolding or, increasingly, through Industrial Rope Access (IRA), which delivers the same DOB-compliant, hands-on review with less disruption and at a fraction of the cost. Milrose coordinates the full inspection and reporting process, including method selection, scheduling, documentation, and filing, so owners stay compliant and buildings remain safe.

Question 2

What is NYC FISP (Local Law 11) and who has to comply?

Accepted Answer

NYC’s Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP, formerly Local Law 11) requires periodic inspections of the buildings exterior walls and appurtenances and filings for all NYC buildings that are six stories or taller. Inspections must be conducted every five years by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI), a registered architect or professional engineer approved by the DOB, and result in a classification of Safe, SWARMP (Safe With Repair and Maintenance Program), or Unsafe, each with distinct repair and follow-up obligations. Milrose manages the full cycle: scheduling QEWIs, coordinating drop inspections, preparing and filing reports, and tracking deadlines to keep your building compliant.

The law applies to most buildings in New York City that are greater than six stories in height, including residential, commercial, mixed-use, condominium, cooperative, and institutional properties. Certain six story building configurations; such as buildings with basements, penthouses, or partial stories, may still qualify and should be reviewed carefully.

Question 3

What happens if a façade inspection finds unsafe conditions?

Accepted Answer

If unsafe conditions are found, the QEWI must immediately notify the owner and the NYC Department of Buildings, and the owner must install public protection such as a sidewalk shed or fencing.

Unsafe conditions must typically be repaired within 90 days, and an amended report must be filed once repairs are completed. If repairs extend past 90 days, an extension of time request must be filed. Milrose coordinates remediation planning, documentation, and deadlines so required work is addressed and compliance stays on track.

Question 4

How do I stay compliant with façade inspection deadlines?

Accepted Answer

Staying compliant requires managing the full cycle: scheduling the inspection, completing reports, filing on time, and tracking required repairs and follow-ups. Milrose provides disciplined oversight across the entire process to reduce risk, avoid fines, and keep operations uninterrupted.

Question 5

How can Milrose help with façade inspections and FISP compliance?

Accepted Answer

Milrose coordinates facade inspections, manages FISP filings, and tracks deadlines, repairs, and follow-ups. Our licensed engineers and architects keep reports accurate, submissions on time, and properties compliant and safe.

Question 6

When do new buildings have to file under FISP?

Accepted Answer

Once a new building receives its first Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, a five year grace period begins. After that, the building must file during its next applicable FISP cycle. Milrose helps owners track filing windows so new properties stay compliant from the start.

Question 7

Who files the FISP report and how is the building classified?

Accepted Answer

FISP reports must be filed every five years by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector, a registered architect or professional engineer approved by DOB. The building is classified as Safe, Safe With Repair and Maintenance Program (SWARMP), or Unsafe, each with specific repair and follow-up obligations. Our QEWIs document conditions accurately, determine the right classification, and guide owners through every required next step.

Question 8

What is the difference between an amended report and a subsequent report?

Accepted Answer

An amended report corrects or updates a previously filed report, most commonly to upgrade an Unsafe classification to SWARMP or Safe once required repairs have been completed. A subsequent report is required in several circumstances: to upgrade a SWARMP report to Safe, to change a previously approved repair deadline, or to downgrade a building’s status (e.g., from Safe or SWARMP to Unsafe) when new conditions warrant it. Both can only be filed within the current five-year cycle. Milrose helps determine which filing applies to your situation and manages the submission process with DOB.

An amended report is filed after previously identified unsafe façade conditions have been repaired and corrected, changing the building’s status from Unsafe to Safe or SWARMP. A subsequent report is filed within the same FISP cycle to update the building’s status or revise repair timeframes for SWARMP or unsafe conditions.

Question 9

What are the FISP Cycle 10 filing deadlines?

Accepted Answer

FISP Cycle 10 is now open. Filing windows are determined by the last digit of your block number: Cycle 10A (blocks ending in 4, 5, 6, or 9) runs February 21, 2025 through February 21, 2027; Cycle 10B (blocks ending in 0, 7, or 8) runs February 21, 2026 through February 21, 2028; and Cycle 10C (blocks ending in 1, 2, or 3) runs February 21, 2027 through February 21, 2029. Milrose tracks filing windows for your portfolio and ensures reports are submitted on time.

Question 10

What are the penalties for missing a FISP filing deadline?

Accepted Answer

Non-compliance with FISP filing requirements carries significant financial consequences. Buildings that file late are subject to a $1,000 per month late filing fee, and buildings that fail to file at all face a $5,000 per year penalty. Additional penalties may apply for failing to correct unsafe or SWARMP conditions within required timeframes.

Any Unsafe conditions identified during an inspection must be remediated within 90 days. Milrose helps owners stay ahead of deadlines and avoid penalties through proactive scheduling and cycle management.

Question 11

What is Industrial Rope Access and can it be used for FISP inspections?

Accepted Answer

Industrial Rope Access (IRA) is a method of accessing building facades using certified rope technicians rather than traditional scaffolding or suspended platforms. For FISP inspections, IRA allows inspectors to conduct the same hands-on, close-up examination required by DOB at significantly lower cost and with far less disruption. Milrose’s in-house IRA team, operating through HLZAE, can complete 10 to 12 inspection drops per day compared to 1 to 2 with traditional scaffold, with minimal tenant disruption, no scaffolding setup, and full access to setbacks and cornices. All IRA inspectors are SPRAT certified and inspections are fully FISP and DOB compliant.