NYC DOB NOW: Open for Local Law 126 Filing
What Is Local Law 126?
Local Law 126, enacted in 2021, mandates that owners of parking structures adhere to new periodic inspection requirements. These requirements necessitate hiring a New York State Qualified Parking Structure Inspector (QPSI), a licensed and registered professional engineer, to inspect parking structures at least once every six years. The results of these inspections must be documented in a report filed with the Department of Buildings.
NEW REQUIREMENT: Initial Observation of Parking Structures in Certain Community Districts
A new Department of Buildings Rule (1 RCNY §103-16) requires Owners of parking structures in certain Community Districts to have a one-time Initial Observation of the parking structure performed and filed by August 1, 2024. This Initial Observation Requirement applies to parking structures in Community Districts 8 through 12 in Manhattan and all Community Districts in Brooklyn (Sub-Cycle B), Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx (Sub-Cycle C) that are required by Article 323 of Title 28 of the NYC Administrative Code and RCNY §103-13 to have periodic inspections performed by December 31, 2025, or December 31, 2027.
As of March 25th, 2024, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) has taken a significant step toward enhancing safety compliance for parking structures. The NYC DOB NOW website has activated the portal allowing Qualified Parking Structure Inspectors (QPSIs) to submit Initial Observation Reports for parking facilities, in accordance with Local Law 126.
Manhattan Community Districts 8 through 12 & Brooklyn Community Districts
Buildings in Sub-Cycle B (Manhattan Community Districts 8 through 12 and all Brooklyn Community Districts) are exempt from 1 RCNY §103-16 where an acceptable, complete Local Law 126 PIPS report complying with 1 RCNY §103-13 is filed before August 1, 2024.
Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx (Sub-Cycle C)
All garages in Sub-Cycle C (Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx) must still comply with the one-time Initial Observation requirement due by August 1, 2024.
Who Can Perform the Initial Observation
The Initial Observation must be performed by or under the direct supervision of a NYS licensed professional engineer who is designated by the NYC DOB as a Qualified Parking Structure Inspector (QPSI) who will also submit the report.
Initial Observation Report Submission Deadline
The Initial Observation Report must be submitted in DOB NOW by August 1, 2024.
NYC DOB LL126
https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/dob-now-safety-ps-resources.page
https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/title-1-rules-of-the-city-of-new-york.page
“§103-16 Initial observation of parking structures”