What it is
What FISP requires.
The Facade Inspection & Safety Program (FISP), also called Local Law 11, applies to owners of buildings higher than six stories. Exterior walls and attachments such as balconies, railings and parapets must be inspected and a technical report filed with the Department of Buildings (DOB) every five years.
Your filing window is set by a sub-cycle (A, B or C) tied to the last digit of the building’s block number. DOB publishes a FISP map showing each building’s cycle.
Only a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) can do the inspection: a New York State licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect approved by DOB. The QEWI files the report in DOB NOW: Safety.
The report
Safe, SWARMP or Unsafe.
| Classification | What it means | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Safe | No repair or maintenance needed to keep the facade sound, and it won’t become unsafe within five years | Nothing further until the next cycle |
| SWARMP (Safe with a Repair and Maintenance Program) | Safe now, but needs repair or maintenance within five years to keep it from becoming unsafe | Repairs must be done in the window the report sets; an uncorrected SWARMP condition must later be reported as Unsafe |
| Unsafe | A hazardous condition that requires repair | Public protection goes up immediately and repair deadlines start (see below) |
If it’s unsafe
Deadlines after an Unsafe report.
Protect the public right away
The QEWI specifies the type and location of protection. Acceptable options are a sidewalk shed, fence or structural netting, and all of them need a DOB permit.
Repair within 90 days
Owners must correct unsafe conditions within 90 days of filing the technical report.
File an amended report
Once every condition is corrected, an amended report is due within two weeks.
Ask for more time if needed
If repairs and the amended report can’t be finished within 104 days of the original filing, the owner has to request an extension.
Missing filing deadlines or letting repairs run late can lead to violations and penalties from the city. Sheds, scaffolding and repair work each need their own filings, which is where expediting helps.
Got an Unsafe facade report or a facade violation? Call us and we’ll map out the filings and deadlines.
Call (929) 367-0962Cycle 10
Filing windows by block number.
| Sub-cycle | Block ends in | Filing window |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4, 5, 6, 9 | Feb 21, 2025 to Feb 21, 2027 |
| B | 0, 7, 8 | Feb 21, 2026 to Feb 21, 2028 |
| C | 1, 2, 3 | Feb 21, 2027 to Feb 21, 2029 |
Owners of buildings taller than six stories must file an acceptable Cycle 10 report. Enter your block number in the facade cycle lookup to see yours.
Questions
Frequently asked.
Does my building need a facade inspection?
If it is taller than six stories, yes. Smaller buildings generally aren’t part of FISP, though they can still receive facade-related violations.
Who can inspect my facade?
Only a QEWI, meaning a NYS-licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect approved by DOB. An ordinary contractor can’t file the report.
Can I get a sidewalk shed removed?
Sheds come down once the unsafe conditions are corrected and the amended report is accepted. Delays usually come from unfinished repairs or missing filings.
Sources
Official sources.
General information about New York City procedures, last reviewed November 2026. Amounts and rules change and every property is different, so this isn’t legal advice. Call us about your specific situation.