503F.1 Initial Inspection Types.
503F.1.1 Initial Comprehensive Inspection. All buildings within the scope of this Chapter 5F shall conduct an initial comprehensive façade inspection pursuant to Section 504F and submit an inspection report subject to the requirements of Section 505F within the timelines detailed in Table 503F.
503F.1.2 Initial Supplemental Inspection. All buildings 15 or more stories tall shall submit an initial supplemental façade inspection report in accordance with the requirements of Section 504F within six months of notification by the Department, or within the timelines detailed in Table 503F. After submitting the initial supplemental inspection report, periodic supplemental inspection reports shall be conducted and submitted by building owners in accordance with Section 503F.2.
Exceptions:
1. Buildings for which comprehensive façade inspection and necessary maintenance, restoration, or replacement has been completed during the 10 years preceding the date of the required initial inspection report due date may apply to the Building Official for a waiver of the initial inspection.
2. Notwithstanding the initial inspection schedules in this Chapter 5F or any other provision, the Building Official may require a façade inspection of any building that the Building Official finds may pose a health and safety hazard.
Compliance Tier | Building Construction Completion Date 1 |
Comprehensive Inspection Report Due Date | Supplemental Inspection Report Due Date |
1 | Building was constructed prior to 1910 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2026 |
2 | Building was constructed from 1910 through 1925 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2028 |
3 | Building was constructed from 1926 through 1970 | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2030 |
4 | Building was constructed from 1971 through 1997 | December 31, 2027 | December 31, 2032 |
5 | Building was constructed after 1997 | December 31 of the 30th year after receiving Certificate of Final Completion and Occupancy | April 30, 2024 |
1 Building construction date refers to the date the Department issued the Certificate of Completion for the original building or other Department documentation showing the date of completion of the original construction, regardless of the dates of any additions or alterations. | |||
503F.2 Periodic Inspection. Each building within the scope of this Chapter 5F shall be subject to a periodic inspection according to the provisions below:
1. At a frequency of 10 years after the required submittal date of an initial comprehensive inspection report as outlined in Table 503F. Periodic inspections need not include walls and appurtenances in the interior of a building where such area has been converted from an exterior area by enclosing the area under a roof skylight or other covering after an initial inspection and any subsequent necessary repair or stabilization.
2. Buildings with 15 or more stories that received a Certificate of Final Completion and Occupancy (“CFC”) before January 1, 1998 shall submit supplemental inspection reports as outlined in Section 504F, every 10 years after their initial supplemental inspection.
3. Buildings with 15 or more stories that received a CFC on or after January 1, 1998 shall submit supplemental inspection reports as outlined in Section 504F, every five years after their initial supplemental inspection. Once a building is required to submit comprehensive inspection reports every 10 years, the building shall alternate submitting comprehensive and supplemental inspection reports every five years.
(Amended by Ord. 16-24, File No. 231130, App. 2/9/2024, Eff. 3/11/2024)
503F.3 Inspection in Response to Damage or Failure. Notwithstanding the Initial Inspection Schedule set forth in Table 503F or the Exceptions to the initial inspection requirements provided in Section 503F.1, the Department shall require an inspection of façades to be performed in the following circumstance: If façade elements required to be inspected under this Chapter 5F exhibit significant damage or failure as noted by Department staff or property owner or owner’s agent, either during the normal passage of time or due to an earthquake or other event, then the property owner is required to obtain an inspection of the areas of damaged or failed elements and related building elements within 60 days unless the façade poses an unsafe condition. If the Building Official determines that there is an unsafe condition, the provisions of Section 102A shall apply.