Code: LL11 (legal requirement)
Description: (Local Law 11) - Façade Inspection Safety Program is a NYC law that requires regular inspections of exterior walls and façades for buildings higher than six stories. It makes owners hire qualified professionals to check the façade every five years, file a report with DOB, and repair unsafe or deteriorated conditions.
Practical Meaning: For a NYC homeowner, this matters if you own or are part of a co‑op or condo in a building over six stories, because the building must pay for periodic façade inspections and any repair work that the engineer or architect calls for. If you are on a board or an active owner, you need to plan for these costs, respond to reports that say the façade is Unsafe or Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program (SWARMP), and make sure filings and repairs are done on time.
Where You May See It: You may see this term in DOB safety pages, in façade inspection reports, in board or managing agent emails, or in engineering proposals for façade work. It can also appear on DOB NOW records, in violation descriptions, and in offering plans or due‑diligence reports for taller residential or mixed‑use buildings.
Why It Matters: It matters because ignoring this law can lead to large fines, emergency repair costs, sidewalk sheds that stay up for years, and serious safety risks from falling bricks or façade pieces. Good compliance helps keep residents and pedestrians safe, protects the building’s value, and avoids problems when refinancing or selling units in the building.