If you own a multifamily building, manage a co-op or serve on a condo board, knowing when your facade report is due helps you plan inspections, budgets and repairs before time gets tight. The city's FISP requires owners of buildings taller than six stories to arrange periodic facade inspections and submit technical reports.

Does the Deadline Apply to Your Building?

Covered Buildings

DOB generally requires owners of buildings taller than six stories to have their exterior walls and appurtenances inspected every five years and to file a technical report. The inspection must be performed by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI), who evaluates the facade and submits the required report through DOB NOW: Safety.

Do not rely on the building's age, appearance or a previous owner's understanding of the rules. The owner is responsible for confirming whether the property is covered and meeting the applicable filing requirements.

Shorter Buildings

Many brownstones and traditional rowhouses are below the program's height threshold and therefore may not require a FISP report. However, that does not mean their exterior walls can be neglected. Unsafe facade conditions may still trigger enforcement, and owners remain responsible for maintaining their properties safely.

For example, a low-rise building in Crown Heights or Park Slope may not fall under the periodic reporting requirement, but loose masonry, failing parapets or unstable exterior elements can still present risks. Confirm the requirements for your specific property rather than assuming its building type settles the question.

How to Find Your Sub-Cycle

You can identify the likely filing window in three steps. Have the property's address and tax block number ready before checking city records.

1. Get Your Block Number. Find the tax block number in your property tax records or through the city's property lookup tools. Be sure you have the block number, not the lot number. These are separate identifiers, and using the wrong one can lead you to the wrong filing window. If you manage several buildings, check each property's records individually.
2. Check The Last Digit. For the current filing schedule, the final digit determines the sub-cycle assignment. Use the diagram cards below to match it.
3. Match It To The Diagram. Open the official Cycle 10 Sub-Cycle Diagram and match the final digit to the corresponding window. Then check the DOB's Facade Filing Status Map and downloadable data to see whether the building appears in the program and review its filing status.

What Happens Inside Your Window

Typical Sequence

A facade inspection involves more than booking a site visit. The inspection, report, any required repairs and follow-up documentation need to be coordinated.

1. Hire a QEWI. The qualified professional examines the exterior walls and relevant appurtenances, arranging close-up access where required.
2. Review the findings. The inspector evaluates observed conditions and determines the appropriate classification under the applicable rules.
3. File the technical report. The QEWI submits the report electronically through DOB NOW: Safety.
4. Plan any required repairs. If the report identifies defects, the owner must address them according to their classification and applicable time limits.
5. Complete follow-up filing. Where required, the QEWI submits the appropriate amended or subsequent report after the relevant work is completed.

Reports generally classify facade conditions as Safe, Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program (SWARMP), or Unsafe. Each classification has different implications, so read the actual report rather than relying on a brief verbal summary.

Unsafe conditions require particular urgency. DOB generally requires correction within 90 days of filing the initial report. If the work cannot be completed within that period, the required extension process must be followed. Once unsafe conditions have been corrected, an amended report must be filed within the applicable timeframe.

Read our SWARMP and Unsafe Repairs guide to understand how classifications affect repair planning.

What Happens If You Miss It

Missing a filing window can expose the owner to DOB violations and civil penalties. Delayed repairs can create additional compliance problems, especially when an inspection has identified unsafe conditions or earlier repair obligations remain unresolved.

The financial impact depends on the circumstances, the violation and the property's filing history. Do not rely on an online estimate of penalties as a final figure. Check the current DOB facade requirements and fees information, and review the property's records for outstanding violations.

If the expected filing date has already passed, contact a QEWI promptly. Ask them to review the building's status, determine which filings are outstanding and explain the available next steps. Some situations may involve additional procedures or payment of accrued penalties, so do not assume that simply submitting a late report resolves every issue.

Why Start Early

Waiting until the final months of your filing window can make a manageable project harder to organise.

Starting early gives you more room to obtain estimates, arrange access, agree on a scope and deal with unexpected findings. It also helps boards explain the work to residents before construction begins.

For a building on Atlantic Avenue, in Downtown Brooklyn or near the waterfront in Williamsburg, the practical schedule will depend on the building's condition, access requirements and the scope of work. Do not assume that every facade project can be completed in the same number of weeks.

Cycle 10 for Brooklyn Buildings

Brooklyn's building stock ranges from pre-war apartment buildings and co-ops to newer waterfront towers. Older masonry properties may have deteriorated mortar joints, cracked parapets, corroded steel lintels or water-related damage. Taller buildings can have different facade materials, access needs and repair requirements.

Landmark status can add another planning consideration. If a property is in a designated historic district, certain proposed exterior alterations may require review by the NYC LPC. Whether that applies depends on the property and the work proposed, so confirm the requirements before finalising the construction schedule.

If your inspection report identifies defects, your next step is to understand the required scope and arrange suitable repair work. A contractor can assess the construction needs, prepare a proposal and coordinate practical details with the owner or managing agent. The QEWI remains responsible for the professional inspection and filing duties assigned under the program.

Learn more about our Brooklyn Local Law 11 contractor services or read our facade compliance guide for an overview of the people and steps involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Next Step

Knowing your filing window is only the beginning. The inspection may identify work that needs to be prioritised, priced and coordinated with the building's occupants and professionals.

If you have a facade report or need to plan repairs, our team can discuss the construction scope and help you understand the practical steps involved. Visit our contractor services page or contact us with your building address and any available inspection findings.