FISP – Façade Inspection & Safety Program (FISP) Explained for NYC Homeowners
If you own a building in New York City that’s taller than six stories, there’s an important safety rule you need to know about.
What is FISP?
The Façade Inspection & Safety Program is a city law that requires regular inspections of your building’s exterior walls—including balconies, fire escapes, and any features attached to the facade, to prevent unsafe conditions and hazards.
How Does the Filing Process Work?
FISP Reports must be submitted electronically through DOB NOW.
- The design professional (your inspector) must open an online account with the DOB, called an eFiling account.
- If the inspector is a QEWI*, they’ll need to contact the Façades Unit at facades@buildings.nyc.gov to get special access to the DOB’s filing portal, known as DOB NOW: Safety.
- The inspector uses DOB NOW: Safety to submit your building’s FISP report.
What Are the Owner’s Responsibilities?
- Every five years, you must hire a qualified professional to inspect your building’s exterior.
- The inspection must be performed by a state-licensed and specially certified expert called a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI).
- After inspection, your QEWI prepares a technical report about your building’s facade condition.
- Make sure the professional you hire is both state-licensed and officially recognized as a QEWI in NYC.
- All professional filings are done electronically—owners usually won’t submit these reports themselves, but are responsible for making sure they’re filed on time.
Want to Look Up Public Records?
You can view or request FISP inspection records by submitting a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request through NYC OpenRecords. Choose “Department of Buildings” as the agency.
Helpful Links:
Related terms
- Department
- Building Information System
- eFiling
- Electronic Filing Account Information
- Freedom of Information Law
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