Annual Parapet Inspections

Beginning on January 1, 2024, every building owner must have an observation of the parapet on their building(s) performed in accordance with the requirements of Section 28-301.1.1 of the New York City Administrative Code. This requirement applies to all buildings with parapet fronting the public right-of-way, regardless of height. EXCEPT: Detached 1- or 2- family homes or buildings with a fence or other barrier preventing access to the exterior wall. The observation must include close-up inspections of the entire parapet which could be conducted from a fire escape or roof. See 1 RCNY §103-15 for more information on observation and report requirements. Owners must maintain the observation reports for at least six (6) years and must make such reports available to the Department upon request

Who Can Perform the Observation

A person competent to inspect parapet can perform the observation. This includes, but  is not limited to a bricklayer, building superintendent, handyman, mason or a person in a similar construction related trade, a NYS-licensed architect or engineer, a NYS-authorized building inspector or an inspector working for a NYS-authorized insurance company, or any other individual capable of identifying hazards on the parapet.

Report Requirements

The report must include, but not limited to, the following information:

the address of the property

the name, mailing address and telephone number of the owner of the building, or, if the owner is not an individual, the name, mailing address, telephone number, and position/title of a principal of the owner

the name of the person performing the observation. if other than the owner, their mailing address, telephone number, affiliation with the building or owner, and business name, if applicable

the date(s) of the observation

the location plan of the parapet(s) observed

the construction of the parapet, including but not limited to material, height, and thickness

general conditions noted, whether any unsafe conditions were found, and actions taken to remedy the unsafe conditions

any repairs made to the parapet since the previous report

dated photos documenting the conditions at the time of observation.