Masonry April 1, 2026
Local Law 11 / FISP Facade Contractor NYC: 2026 Compliance Guide
NYC Local Law 11 (FISP) explained — 8th-cycle filing dates, SWARMP vs Unsafe, qualified contractor scope, and what facade repair costs.
Local Law 11 — officially the Facade Inspection & Safety Program (FISP) — requires every NYC building 6 stories or taller to have its exterior walls inspected by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) every 5 years. The current 8th cycle runs through 2027, and missed filings trigger DOB violations and per-month penalties.
FISP reports are filed in three categories: Safe (no action required), SWARMP (Safe With a Repair And Maintenance Program — repair required before next cycle), or Unsafe (immediate repair, sidewalk shed required until repaired).
Common Local Law 11 repair scopes: brick repointing, parapet rebuilds, lintel replacement (rusted-steel lintels are the most common Unsafe finding), terra-cotta and stone repair, sealant joint replacement, and cornice anchoring.
Sidewalk shed cost is real: an Unsafe finding usually requires sidewalk shed installation within days, at $4,000–$15,000/month rental until repairs are complete and the QEWI re-files Safe. Speed of repair is the only way to keep shed cost down.
Pricing: Local Law 11 facade repair scopes typically run $35,000–$250,000+ on small-to-mid pre-war buildings, depending on findings. Per-unit scope: pointing $18–$32/sf, lintel replacement $1,800–$4,500 each, parapet rebuild $400–$900/LF, sealant $8–$18/LF.
Gotham Home Services performs FISP repair work — pointing, lintel replacement, parapet rebuild, and waterproofing — coordinated with the building's QEWI so the post-repair re-filing happens fast and the shed comes down on schedule.
FAQ
What buildings are subject to Local Law 11 / FISP in NYC?
All NYC buildings 6 stories or taller. Filings are required every 5 years on a staggered cycle assigned by DOB based on the last digit of the building's block number.
What's the difference between SWARMP and Unsafe in a FISP report?
SWARMP means repairs are required before the next 5-year cycle. Unsafe means immediate repair plus sidewalk shed until cured and re-filed.
How much does Local Law 11 facade repair cost?
Small-to-mid pre-war buildings typically run $35,000–$250,000+ depending on findings — pointing, lintels, parapet, and sealant are the most common scopes.
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