The annual parapet observation: the NYC rule most owners still miss
Since 1 January 2024 every building with a parapet fronting the public right-of-way — at any height — needs an annual parapet observation. It is not filed with DOB, it does not need an engineer, and almost nobody knows it exists.
Who has to do an annual parapet observation in NYC?
Every building owner whose building has a parapet fronting a public right-of-way, regardless of the building height. Detached one- and two-family homes are exempt, and so are buildings with a fence or other barrier preventing access to the exterior wall. The observation has been required annually since 1 January 2024 under Administrative Code §28-301.1.1 and 1 RCNY §103-15. The report is not filed with DOB — the owner keeps it for at least six years and produces it on request.
What matters on a real job
Regardless of height — this is the part people miss
FISP starts above six stories. The parapet rule has no height floor. A three-storey walk-up with a parapet over the sidewalk owes an observation every year.
It does not need an engineer
A person competent to inspect parapets can do it: a bricklayer, a building superintendent, a handyman, a mason or someone in a similar trade, an architect or engineer, a NYS-authorized building inspector, or an inspector working for a NYS-authorized insurance company. That makes it cheap to comply with and easy to forget.
What the observation has to determine
Three things, from a close-up inspection of the entire parapet — which may be conducted from a fire escape or roof. One: that the parapet is plumb within one-eighth of its cross-sectional thickness at every point. Two: whether there is excessive deterioration — displacement, horizontal or diagonal cracks, missing or loose bricks or coping stones, deteriorated mortar joints, spalling or rot. Three: that appurtenances — telecom equipment, railings, roof access rails, gooseneck ladders, fire-escape handrail attachments and signs — are installed and maintained in a stable condition.
If it is unsafe, the day changes
The person doing the observation must notify DOB immediately by calling 311 and emailing parapets@buildings.nyc.gov. The owner must immediately install public protection — sidewalk shed, fence, netting — and keep it there until the condition is fixed. The unsafe condition must be corrected within 90 days of the notification.
The shed filing now asks about it
If the shed goes up because of a parapet, the DOB NOW sidewalk shed Scope of Work has a question for exactly that: is the shed related to the required periodic observation of the parapet under 1 RCNY §103-15? Answer it honestly — it is how the City connects the shed to the condition.
Six years of records, not one
Owners must keep the observation reports for at least six years and hand them to DOB on request. On an acquisition or a refinance, missing parapet reports are the cheap item nobody budgeted for.
Source: NYC DOB — Parapets page, Service Notice "Annual Parapet Observation" (14 Nov 2023), 1 RCNY §103-15, Parking Structures page, Service Updates of 23 Nov 2021 and 22 Jul 2022, and the Periodic Inspection of Parking Structures FAQs (nyc.gov/buildings). Checked 7 Oct 2026.