The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) recently published an amended rule that increases the fees for filing Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP) Reports required to be filed cyclically by Owners of buildings taller than six stories. Public-facing facades and appurtenances are mandated to be inspected every five years by a qualified exterior wall inspector (QEWI), with the findings submitted to the DOB in a technical Report. These Reports are required to classify the building as Safe, Unsafe, or Safe with a Repair and Maintenance Program (SWARMP).
Types of FISP Reports
Three categories of FISP Reports exist: the Initial Report indicating Safe, Unsafe, or SWARMP status; an Amended Report to upgrade previously filed Unsafe Status to SWARMP or Safe; and a Subsequent report, which can change the status of a building previously classified as Safe or SWARMP, or extend the deadline for completing repair of SWARMP and/or Unsafe conditions. In addition, the QEWI may file Time Extension requests while repairs are in progress, to avoid fines levied on Owners for not correcting Unsafe conditions.
The new filing fees will take effect on July 15, 2020, and are as follows:
| Report | Old Fee | New Fee |
| Initial Report | $265 | $425 |
| Amended/Subsequent Report | $100 | $425 |
| 90-day extension request | $135 | $305 |
9th FISP CYCLE
The 9th FISP Cycle, which began February 21, 2020, has instituted numerous significant changes aimed at increasing public safety, in part by increasing the pressure on Owners to bring their buildings into compliance. In addition to the above filing fees, Owners must have their buildings inspected and their 9th Cycle Reports filed with the DOB by their filing deadline (determined by the last digit of the building's block number) to avoid $1,000/month and $5,000/year penalties. Unsafe conditions must be corrected within 90 days of filing a report with an Unsafe status, or a Time Extension must be filed; otherwise, Owners face a penalty of $1,000/month with additional penalties if the conditions remain uncorrected for over a year. Finally, an Amended Report must be filed within two weeks of completing the cited repairs.
All reports must be submitted electronically through DOB NOW:Safety
REQUEST A PROPOSAL
If you would like a consultation or a proposal for RAND to conduct a 9th Cycle facade inspection for your
building and/or to design and administer FISP repair work, please contact us at 212-675-8844; or FISP@nullrandpc.com.
