The New York City Department of Buildings (“DOB”) has a new rule relating to the safety and upkeep of building façades, particularly concerning parapet walls. A parapet wall is a protective barrier found on the edge of our building's roof, similar to those on bridges or balconies.
As of September 2023, the rule titled "periodic observation of building parapets requirement" takes effect. This regulation mandates inspection requirements for all buildings that have parapet walls extending above their roof lines.
Importantly, this rule was implemented as a proactive measure to ensure safety and not made in response to any tragic incident, distinguishing it from regulations such as Local Law 11.
This new rule encompasses all buildings with a few exceptions:
Single-family and two-family homes.
Buildings where the exterior wall structure presents an obstacle to accessing the parapet for inspection.
Instances where a parapet wall is retracted from the building's edge, necessitating a landing area for debris during a collapse.
Situations where an enclosing fence shields the parapet, preventing debris from falling.
Annual inspection for parapets overlooking a street must be performed. This means owners must hire a professional to carry out an inspection, document the condition, and produce an annual report. Fortunately, the DOB has provided flexibility in the choice of inspector. Owners have the option to engage an architect or engineer for the inspection, but DOB has permitted building superintendents, handymen, and even insurance company inspectors to conduct the inspection. This flexibility can will help owners manage costs while ensuring compliance.
Owners are not required to submit their reports to the DOB, unless it expressly requests such report. It is an owner’s best practice, however, to retaining a comprehensive record of all inspections.
Comments