Local Law 11 of 1998 — now officially the Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP) — requires owners of buildings taller than six stories in New York City to have their exterior walls and appurtenances inspected by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) every five years. It was enacted after a student was killed by falling masonry from a building façade in 1979. Non-compliance is not an option.
Who Is Required to Comply — Any building in New York City that is greater than six stories tall must participate in FISP. This includes residential co-ops, condos, rentals, and commercial buildings. Buildings are assigned to Cycle A, B, or C based on their block number, with staggered sub-cycle deadlines throughout each five-year cycle.
The Three Report Outcomes — After an inspection, the QEWI files one of three reports with DOB: SAFE (no repairs needed), SAFE WITH A REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM (SWARMP — repairs needed within the cycle), or UNSAFE (immediate repairs required, building must be secured within 24 hours).
What an UNSAFE Filing Means — An UNSAFE condition requires the building owner to immediately install a sidewalk shed (scaffolding) to protect pedestrians, commence emergency repairs, and file a progress report with DOB within 30 days. Failure to act quickly results in DOB issuing an immediate violation and potentially taking emergency action at the owner's expense.
Common Façade Issues in the Bronx — Older brick buildings in the Bronx frequently present: spalling or loose brick mortar, cracked or missing caulking at window perimeters, deteriorated lintel steel, water infiltration behind parapet walls, and rusted or loose ornamental elements. Many of these are addressable before they become emergency conditions.
The Cost of Non-Compliance — Missing a FISP filing deadline carries a penalty of $1,000 per month until a report is filed. An UNSAFE condition that isn't addressed can result in the city performing emergency work and billing the owner — typically at 2–3× the cost of hiring a private contractor.
ECO World Construction Corp provides full Local Law 11 compliance services — from coordinating QEWI inspections to completing all required façade repairs and filing final compliance documents with DOB. Serving the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. Call +1 917 402 3151.