As of January 1, 2024, every building owner in New York City must have an annual inspection of their building’s parapets performed.
This relatively straightforward law has stirred much confusion. Architects’ offices, and the Conservancy’s “hotline” have been flooded with callers asking what a parapet is, and how they can know if their building has one. Homeowners are being blanketed with ads for parapet inspections, whether buildings have them or not.
Here’s information to help you figure out whether this new law applies to you.
What is a parapet?
- The part of any wall entirely above the roof line (see photos 1 through 5).
- Roofs that slope up toward the street-facing wall and roofs that are flat with no wall above the roof line are not parapets (see photos 6 and 7).
- Structures attached to parapets, such as guard rails and ladders, must also be inspected (see photo 5).
Who can perform the inspection?
Any person who is competent to inspect parapets, including but not limited to:
- Bricklayer
- Building superintendent
- Handyman (including building owners who make their own building repairs)
- Mason
- Architect
- Engineer
- Insurance company inspector
- NYS authorized building inspector
How do you file a parapet report?
- The format of the report must follow RCNY 103-15.
- Owners must maintain the inspection reports for at least 6 years and must make such reports available to the Department of Buildings (DOB) upon request.
What parapets are exempt from inspection?
- Parapets on detached 1 or 2-family homes.
- Parapets with a fence or other barrier preventing access to the exterior wall (in other words, any parapet not directly along the public way).
More information from DOB can be found here.
A helpful slide deck from DOB illustrating more visual examples of parapets and exceptions to the law can be found here.
If you have questions about issues with your building, call our Preservation “Hotline” at 212-995-5250, Ext. 305 or email us at gwendolynstegall@nylandmarks.org