RAND Building News & Insights, October 2023
Your essential guide to staying ahead of crucial compliance deadlines and securing the safety of your property. Whether your building boasts parapets, spans over 25,000 square feet, includes parking structures, or has facades over 4 or 6 stories in Jersey City and New York City, non-compliance can translate into costly penalties. From compliance deadlines to actionable insights, we've got you covered.
Important Upcoming Compliance Deadlines
First Manhattan Garage Inspections Deadline Fast Approaching
The clock is ticking for Manhattan Cycle 1A parking garages under Periodic Inspection of Parking Structures Program, per Local Law 126. The filing deadline for Cycle 1A is December 31, 2023. To avoid $1,000 per month or $5,000 annual penalties for non-compliance, we strongly recommend scheduling your inspection no later than November 1 of this year.
First Jersey City Facade Inspection Filings Due 1.5 Months
Jersey City Ordinance 21-054 compliance requiring facade inspections every 5 years leaves no room for delay. Non-compliance comes with severe consequences: hefty fines of up to $2,000 per day, potential imprisonment, or 90 days of community service. Act immediately — schedule your inspections now to meet the impending first compliance deadline, which is a mere 1.5 months away on December 31, 2023.
FISP 9C Deadline Alert!
The FISP 9C filing deadline is just four months away for buildings with block numbers ending in 1, 2, or 3 on February 21, 2024. Given the current lead time for inspections and filing, which is 3 to 5 months, it is critical that you take immediate action. Schedule your facade inspection now to prevent $1,000 per month or $5,000 annual late filing penalties.
New NYC Parapet Inspection Requirement Starts January 1
Starting January 2024, annual parapet inspections are now mandatory for nearly all buildings in the City. For more information, including exemptions, qualified inspectors, inspection criteria, reporting requirements, and access to our downloadable Parapet Inspection Checklist, read our NYC Annual Parapet Inspection Requirement Fact Sheet.
Local Law 97 Webinar Series
Local Law 97's first compliance deadline is rapidly approaching. If you missed the first session of the Council of New York Cooperative & Condominium's free "Sustainability with Affordability" Local Law 97 webinar series, catch up now by watching the recording of “First Steps Toward Compliance,” which offers clear cut advice and guidance from the Department of Buildings (DOB) and NYC Accelerator on how you can obtain assistance and financial help as you move forward.
Stay tuned for the second session “Pathways to Compliance,” featuring RAND Principal and CNYC President Peter Varsalona, PE, CEM, CBCP and Orsid Vice President Dennis DePaola, which will be available soon. Plus, there's still time to sign up for the last two sessions happening this Thursday and next. Register for free at https://bit.ly/cnyc-register.
Local Law 97 Compliance with RAND
RAND's MEP & Energy Team specializes in helping building owners comply with Local Law 97. RAND works with owners to develop energy and greenhouse gas reduction strategies, identify practical energy-saving measures, and create a roadmap to achieve emissions reductions in line with Local Law 97. Our comprehensive approach balances legal compliance, building performance optimization, and resident and tenant comfort, while efficiently managing operational costs. By providing tailored strategies and recommendations, we support long-term sustainability and improved living environments.
For more information on how RAND can your compliance efforts, contact us at 212-675-8844 or info@nullrandpc.com.
New NYC Parking Structure Inspection Requirements
In a significant development, the Department of Buildings (DOB) has adopted new amendments to regulations governing the inspection of parking structures. Starting January 1, 2024, Sub-cycle 1B and 1C parking structures in New York City will be required to undergo an initial inspection performed by or under the supervision of a Qualified Parking Structure Inspector (QPSI) by August 1, 2024. This additional requirement is in addition to their first sub-cycle inspection mandate. For owners of parking structures in upper Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, there exists a limited timeframe of less than eight months to schedule and complete an inspection to meet the deadline.
In addition, all parking structures must now have an annual checklist inspection performed by or under the supervision of a QPSI. All Cycle 1A garages with accepted reports by December 31, 2023 will need a yearly checklist inspection in 2024 and every year thereafter.
Stay informed and take proactive steps to keep your property compliant and penalty-free.
Upcoming Compliance Deadlines Calendar
October 1
Benchmarking Energy Efficiency Grades must be posted.
November 1
Cooling Tower Annual Certification
Local Law 84 NYC Benchmarking (2nd Quarterly Deadline)
December 31
Jersey City Ordinance 21-054 Facade Inspection
NYC Gas Piping Inspection
Local Law 126 Periodic Inspection of Parking Structures (PIPS)
Local Law 87 Energy Audits & Retro-commissioning
Brooklyn Retaining Wall Inspection
February 21, 2024
Facade Inspection Safety Program Cycle 9C
May 1, 2024
Local Law 84 NYC Annual Energy Benchmarking
August 1, 2024
PIPS Initial Observation (Sub-cycles 1B and 1C parking structures)
May 1, 2025
Local Law 97 (Carbon Emissions Reduction Law) first compliance deadline
About RAND
Founded in 1987, RAND Engineering & Architecture, DPC is an over 100-person New York City firm that designs and administers programs for repair, upgrade, restoration, and adaptive re-use of residential, commercial, institutional, and retail properties. Our expertise includes exterior envelope repair, with a particular focus on FISP; window and door replacement; heating, plumbing, and electrical upgrades; architectural design and ADA compliance; feasibility studies and plan reviews; structural engineering; forensic surveys; benchmarking, energy audits, and retro-commissioning; green roofs; and historic restoration. RAND also has a Building Design Group, a Drone Services Group, an Infrared Survey Group, a 3D Laser Scanning Group, and a Code & Zoning Compliance Team, and is also a Special Inspections Agency. Please visit randpc.com for more information.
