FISP and Local Law 11

The Facade Inspection Safety Program, still widely called Local Law 11, requires buildings taller than six stories to have their exterior walls examined on a recurring cycle by a qualified exterior wall inspector. It is the single largest driver of sidewalk sheds in New York City.

Who is covered

Buildings greater than six storeys in height. The inspection is carried out by a qualified exterior wall inspector, and a report is filed with the Department within the applicable filing window for the building's sub-cycle.

The three classifications

• Safe. No unsafe or problematic conditions. Nothing further until the next cycle.
• Safe with a repair and maintenance program. Conditions that are not immediately hazardous but must be corrected within a defined period.
• Unsafe. Conditions requiring immediate public protection and prompt repair.

How it produces sheds

An unsafe classification means public protection has to go up right away, which in practice means an emergency sidewalk shed filing on a rush basis. A repair program classification generally means a shed too, once the repair work begins above 40 feet.

Key facts

Covered

Buildings over six storeys

Inspected by

Qualified exterior wall inspector

Classifications

Safe, SWARMP, Unsafe

Unsafe

Immediate public protection