What Building Owners Need to Know About Philadelphia’s Facade Law?
Philadelphia’s Façade Inspection Ordinance (PM-315) requires periodic inspections of exterior walls and appurtenances for buildings six stories or taller. If you own or manage a high-rise property in Philadelphia, understanding your façade inspection requirements is critical to maintaining compliance and protecting public safety.
What Is the Philadelphia Façade Inspection Ordinance?
The Philadelphia Façade Inspection Ordinance, located under Section PM-315 of the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code, mandates periodic facade inspections every five years for:
Buildings six stories or more in height
Buildings with exterior wall appurtenances exceeding 60 feet
The law was enacted to prevent falling debris, identify structural deterioration early, and ensure that building façades remain safe and properly maintained.
Who Must Comply with the Philadelphia Facade Law?
The ordinance applies to:
Commercial buildings
Residential high-rise buildings
Mixed-use developments
Institutional buildings (universities, healthcare, etc.)
Any qualifying structure must undergo inspection by a licensed professional engineer (PE) or registered architect (RA) experienced in exterior wall and façade evaluations.
What Does the Facade Inspection Include?
A Philadelphia façade inspection typically includes:
Visual and close-range examination of exterior walls
Inspection of balconies, parapets, cornices, fire escapes, and other appurtenances
Identification of cracks, loose masonry, deteriorated mortar joints, and structural movement
Assessment of waterproofing and envelope performance
The inspecting professional must submit a formal report to the Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections (L&I) confirming whether the façade is:
Safe
Safe with a repair and maintenance program
Unsafe and requiring immediate corrective action
Philadelphia Facade Inspection Timeline & Reporting
Inspections must be performed every five years.
Reports must be filed with L&I by the required deadline.
Unsafe conditions must be addressed immediately to prevent violations or penalties.
Failure to comply with Philadelphia’s façade ordinance can result in:
L&I violations
Fines and civil penalties
Increased liability exposure
Why Philadelphia Facade Compliance Matters
Regular façade inspections:
Protect pedestrians and building occupants
Reduce emergency repair costs
Extend building envelope lifespan
Maintain property value
Limit legal and financial risk
Proactive façade maintenance is significantly more cost-effective than reactive emergency repairs.
How O&S Associates Can Help
O&S Associates provides comprehensive Philadelphia façade inspection services including:
PM-315 compliant façade evaluations
Exterior wall condition assessments
Repair design and construction documents
Filing and coordination with Philadelphia L&I
Ongoing façade maintenance programs
Our team of licensed engineers and architects has extensive experience with façade compliance and building envelope restoration.
Schedule Your Philadelphia Facade Inspection Today
If your building is six stories or taller, now is the time to confirm your compliance status. Contact O&S Associates to schedule your Philadelphia façade inspection and ensure your property meets PM-315 requirements.