Parapet inspections in New York City
Your annual Local Law 126 observation, done by licensed engineers across all five boroughs. Report in three to five business days, in your file well before December 31.
Who needs one
Any NYC building with a parapet fronting a street, sidewalk or other public place, at any height. Low-rise, mixed-use and attached rowhouses are covered. Only detached one- and two-family homes, and buildings fenced off from the wall, are exempt.
The observation is required every year and the report must be in your records by December 31. Nothing is submitted to the DOB; you keep the report for six years and produce it if asked.
What we inspect
- A close-up look at the entire parapet, from the roof, a fire escape or another safe vantage point
- Whether the parapet is plumb, within one-eighth of its cross-sectional thickness
- Excessive deterioration: displacement, horizontal or diagonal cracks, loose or missing bricks or coping stones, deteriorated mortar joints, spalling or rot
- Whether attached items are stable: telecom equipment, railings, roof access rails, gooseneck ladders, fire escape handrail attachments and signs
How it works
Four steps, and you are covered.
Tell us about the building
Address, height, and parapet length. We come back with a fixed quote before anything is scheduled.
A licensed engineer inspects it
A licensed engineer or architect examines the parapet close up and photographs every condition.
You get the report
Every item 1 RCNY §103-15 requires, with dated, annotated photos of the full parapet, in three to five business days.
We keep it DOB-ready
Your report and photos stay on file for the six years the rule requires, ready the moment the DOB asks. Unsafe conditions go to the DOB immediately.
What it costs
Straightforward pricing, published up front.
Most parapet inspections fall in these ranges. Portfolios of multiple buildings qualify for a 10 to 20 percent volume discount.
- Licensed PE or RA on site
- Annotated, dated photographs
- Every report item 1 RCNY §103-15 requires
- Immediate DOB notice if a condition is unsafe
Small buildings
1 to 3 stories
$300–$600
Mid-size buildings
4 to 6 stories
$500–$1,200
Larger buildings
7+ stories
$1,000–$2,500+
Final price depends on building height, parapet length, and access. The quote is fixed before we schedule.
Parapet inspections by borough
The rule is citywide, but building stock is not. Here is how it plays out where your building is.
Common questions
- Does my building need a parapet inspection?
- If it has a parapet fronting a street, sidewalk or other public place, yes, at any height. The only exemptions are detached one- and two-family homes and buildings with a fence or barrier that keeps people away from the wall. Attached rowhouses with a street-facing parapet are covered.
- When is it due?
- Every year. The DOB requires the observation to be done, and the report in your own records, by December 31.
- Do you file the report with the DOB?
- There is nothing to file. You keep the report for at least six years and show it to the DOB if they ask. Failing to produce it on request is a $1,250 violation that can reach $10,000. The DOB is only notified when an unsafe condition is found.
- Who is allowed to do the inspection?
- The rule allows anyone competent to inspect parapets, including a super or mason. We send licensed engineers and architects because borderline conditions call for professional judgment and a report that holds up if it is questioned.
- What happens if you find an unsafe condition?
- We notify the DOB immediately, as the rule requires. You install public protection right away, such as a sidewalk shed, fence or netting, and the condition must be corrected within 90 days of that notice. There are no extensions.
- How much does it cost?
- Most inspections run $300 to $600 for 1 to 3 stories, $500 to $1,200 for 4 to 6, and $1,000 to $2,500 or more for taller buildings. You get a fixed quote before anything is scheduled.
Local Law 126 guides
Plain-English answers, checked against the rule and the DOB's own guidance.
- Local Law 126 Parapet Inspections: The Complete NYC Guide for 2026Local Law 126 parapet inspection guide for NYC owners: which buildings need one, who can observe, report contents, 6-year retention, and DOB penalties.
- Annual Parapet Inspection: December 31 DeadlineAn annual parapet inspection in NYC must be done by December 31 each year, with nothing filed. Why fall is the time to book and what freeze-thaw does.
- How Much Does a Parapet Inspection Cost in NYC? (2026 Pricing Guide)Parapet inspection cost in NYC for 2026: what owners pay under Local Law 126 by building size, what drives pricing, and how to compare quotes.
- What Happens If You Fail a Parapet Inspection in NYC? (Penalties, Repairs, and Next Steps)Fail a parapet inspection in NYC? Under Local Law 126 that means an unsafe condition or no report for the DOB. What each triggers, from repairs to fines.
- Unsafe Parapet 90-Day Repair Timeline in NYCAn unsafe parapet in NYC must be repaired within 90 days of DOB notification. The timeline: who notifies the DOB, sidewalk sheds, repairs, and penalties.
- Parapet Inspection vs. FISP (Local Law 11): What NYC Building Owners Need to KnowParapet inspection vs. FISP in NYC: who can inspect, how often, what gets filed with the DOB, and when a Local Law 11 report can also cover Local Law 126.
Get started
Request your inspection.
Tell us the address and the building height. We come back with a fixed price and the next available date.
- Prefer to talk
- (646) 355-8530
- Office hours
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
- Office
- 131 Varick St., STE 1024, New York, NY 10013
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