KAMCO Roofing · Since 1985
Plan the required annual observation for a covered parapet. Contact KAMCO to discuss your property and access arrangements in Brooklyn or elsewhere in New York City.
The annual requirement
The NYC requirement applies to parapets facing a public right-of-way, regardless of building height. Detached one- and two-family homes are exempt. Certain buildings with qualifying barriers are also exempt; a fence by itself does not necessarily remove the requirement.
A parapet is the part of a wall above the roof line. Check the building’s actual conditions with a competent observer. The NYC Department of Buildings parapet guidance explains the scope and requirements.
The observer must be capable of identifying parapet hazards. DOB permits qualified people from relevant construction trades as well as other competent observers; an architect or engineer is not automatically required for every routine observation.
The observation considers parapet stability, deterioration and attached items. The report records the property, observer, observation date and conditions, including any necessary corrective action.
The owner must keep reports for at least six years and provide them to DOB on request. Routine submission of the report to DOB is not required.
The observer must immediately notify DOB by calling 311 and emailing [email protected]. The owner must arrange immediate public protection and correction. Consult an appropriately qualified professional about the safety issue and the required work.
Use DOB’s current instructions for unsafe conditions and any additional obligations for buildings in the Facade Inspection Safety Program. Do not wait for an ordinary estimate response to address a known public hazard.
This page summarizes the annual parapet-observation requirement. Building-specific conditions determine what is needed; an observation is not a blanket certification of all building-code compliance.
Sources checked October 16, 2026: NYC DOB: Parapets and NYC DOB: Parapet FAQs.
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