New York, NY Building Safety: Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed (2026)

The Facade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP), originally enacted as Local Law 10 of 1980 and revised as Local Law 11 of 1998, mandates that all NYC buildings taller than 6 stories undergo professional close-up facade inspections every 5 years. Inspections must be performed by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) using scaffolding, swing stages, or rope access — not ground-level visual scans. Cycle 10 runs from February 21, 2025 through February 21, 2030, with filing deadlines staggered by tax block number. Facades are classified as Safe, Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program (SWARMP), or Unsafe. An Unsafe classification requires immediate installation of a sidewalk shed to protect pedestrians, and the condition must be corrected within 90 days. Sidewalk sheds are also required when constructing buildings over 40 feet or demolishing buildings over 25 feet (Building Code §3307). Recent legislation is exploring alternatives to long-standing sidewalk sheds, including new shed designs and expanded use of drone inspections.