Parapet Inspection
Close-range drone photography of parapets for New York City buildings.
Parapet Inspection
Close-range aerial imagery to support NYC's annual parapet observation requirement under Local Law 126. Views from the roof and sidewalk can leave portions of the parapet difficult to assess, particularly the street-facing surface above pedestrians. We photograph along the full run, capturing its faces, coping and attached features to give the inspector a detailed view of visible conditions.
Dated imagery, organized by location on the building, helps the inspector document findings, identify areas needing closer examination and compare conditions from year to year. Work with your own inspector, or have us coordinate a qualified inspector to carry the process through observation and reporting.
What the Imagery Covers
- Street-facing and roof-facing surfaces, coping stones and joints
- Visible cracking, masonry deterioration, displacement and signs of leaning
- Cornices attached to the parapet
- Attached railings, ladders, signs and equipment, including visible connections
Understand Local Law 126
Since January 1, 2024, every building in New York City with a parapet fronting a street, sidewalk or other public way has needed an annual parapet observation. It applies regardless of height. The only exemptions are detached one- and two-family homes, and buildings with a fence or barrier that keeps people away from the exterior wall.
The observation has to be a close-up look at the entire parapet, and it can be done from the roof, a fire escape, or a drone. The observer must be competent to inspect parapets, and the rule calls for someone who can recognize a hazard when they see one. Its purpose is to establish that the parapet is stable and to catch any potentially hazardous condition.
Every year
since January 1, 2024, for any parapet fronting a public way
90 days
to correct an unsafe condition once the Department has been notified
6 years
the owner keeps each report on file and produces it on request
If the observation turns up a hazardous condition, the person who found it must notify the Department of Buildings immediately. That duty sits with the person performing the observation. The owner then has to put public protection in place, a sidewalk shed, a fence or netting, and correct the condition within 90 days of that notice. The protection stays up until the repair is done.
There is no filing. The owner keeps a report for at least six years and produces it if the Department asks. The report has to describe how the parapet is built, what condition it was in, what has been repaired since the last one, and it has to include dated photographs of the parapet on the day it was observed. The report is prepared by the person who did the observation, or by the owner working with them, and it records who did it and when.
Every year
since January 1, 2024, for any parapet fronting a public way
90 days
to correct an unsafe condition once the Department has been notified
6 years
the owner keeps each report on file and produces it on request
What the report must include
- A location plan of the parapets observed
- The conditions found, and any unsafe conditions
- Repairs made since the previous report
- Dated photographs of the conditions at the time of observation
What You'll Receive
High-resolution imagery
Overview and close-range photographs of the full parapet run, its faces, coping and attachments.
Dated documentation
Every image dated and organized by location on the building, so any area can be found and referenced.
Interactive 3D model
A model your inspector can explore, marking up photographs to document visible conditions.
Fully Ready Report
A complete observation report: construction, condition, prior repairs and dated photographs.
Ready to Schedule Your Parapet Inspection?
Send us the building address. We'll send a proposal, scan your parapet and deliver the imagery.
Request a Quote