A clear guide for owners, boards, and managers: what Local Law 11 requires, who it applies to, and how the compliance process actually works.
Local Law 11 of 1998 established New York City's Facade Inspection Safety Program, known as FISP. It requires owners of buildings taller than six stories to have their exterior walls examined by a qualified exterior wall inspector once every five years. The inspector files a report with the Department of Buildings classifying the facade as Safe, Safe with a Repair and Maintenance Program, or Unsafe. The goal is simple — catch deteriorating facade conditions before they become a danger to the public.
FISP applies broadly across New York City. Here's who it touches, and why.
Any building in New York City with more than six stories falls under FISP jurisdiction, regardless of use.
Boards are responsible for scheduling inspections, filing reports, and completing required repairs.
Managers coordinate with engineers and contractors to keep buildings on schedule and in compliance.
Ownership carries ultimate responsibility for compliance, filings, and any required remediation.
FISP applies to residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings alike — occupancy type doesn't exempt a building.
Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island are all subject to the same citywide requirements.
Every building subject to FISP is assigned to one of three filing sub-cycles — A, B, or C — determined by the last digit of the building's tax block number. Each sub-cycle has its own filing window within the current inspection cycle, giving owners a defined deadline to complete inspection, file their report, and address any required repairs. Missing your sub-cycle deadline doesn't pause the obligation — it accrues penalties until the filing is complete.
Cycle 9 opened in February 2025 and runs through February 2027, with sub-cycle deadlines staggered across that two-year window. Filing status and exact deadlines vary by building — we'll confirm yours at no cost.
Ask Us About Your DeadlineWe evaluate your building's facade history, prior filing status, and site conditions to scope the inspection.
A qualified exterior wall inspector examines every elevation, including close-up and physical probes where required.
We prepare and file the FISP report with the Department of Buildings within your assigned sub-cycle window.
If conditions are classified Unsafe or SWARMP, our crews complete the required repairs to restore the facade.
Once repairs are complete, we coordinate final inspection and sign-off to achieve DOB Safe status.
We help you plan ahead for the next cycle so your building stays proactively compliant, not reactively scrambling.
Failing to file on time, or failing to correct an unsafe condition, doesn't just risk a fine — it risks real safety hazards and mounting liability. The Department of Buildings can issue violations that carry monthly penalties, and those penalties continue to accrue and escalate the longer a filing or repair goes unresolved. Unsafe conditions left unaddressed can also mean a sidewalk shed remains in place indefinitely, added litigation exposure, and diminished property value. The most cost-effective path is always early compliance.
From inspection to final sign-off, we manage the entire Local Law 11 process so you don't have to — with free proposals and flexible payment plans available.