Published January 13, 2026

CUSTODIAL CIRCULAR NO. 26.005

NOTE: All Circulars are to be kept in a permanent file.

TO ALL CUSTODIAN ENGINEERS

New York City Local Law 126 (LL 126) Annual Parapet Inspections

New York City Local Law 126 (LL 126) requires that all buildings with parapet walls fronting a public right-of-way must be visually inspected annually. The NYC Department of Buildings defines a parapet as “the part of any wall entirely above the roof line”. 

Currently, these annual inspections are conducted by the New York City School Construction Authority’s consultants as part of their annual Building Condition Assessment Survey (BCAS). Once completed, these inspection reports are available for review on the NYCPS website, https://www.schools.nyc.gov/. 

Custodian Engineers will find detailed instructions below on how to access the reports for their assigned buildings. Custodian Engineers must familiarize themselves with this report and produce this report to any NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) representative upon request. 

Additionally, Custodian Engineers are to regularly inspect the conditions of their facades, including their parapets, at their assigned buildings. Observations must include, but not be limited to:

• A determination of whether there is excessive deterioration, including, but not limited to, displacement, horizontal or diagonal cracks, missing or loose bricks or coping stones, deteriorated mortar joints, spalling, or rot.

• A determination that appurtenances such as telecommunications equipment, railings, roof access rails, gooseneck ladders, handrail attachments for fire escapes, and signs are installed and maintained in a stable condition.

• A determination that the parapet is almost perfectly upright, with any sideways tilt being less than one-eighth (1/8) of its thickness. As an example, if the parapet wall is 8 inches thick, the allowed sideways tilt (from bottom to top) must be 1 inch or less. Sideways tilt can be measured utilizing a 4’, 6’ level and tape measure, or a plumb bob, or a laser plumb line if available. 

Any defects to the parapet must be immediately reported to the borough emergency desk as a Priority 1 work order and to the Deputy Director of Facilities. All parapet deficiencies must be recorded in the building’s daily logbook. Entries must include the date of inspection, the name of the person who conducted the inspection, and the condition observed.

Additional resources regarding these parapet inspections can be found attached and by utilizing the links below:

https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/safety/parapets-frequently-asked-questions.page

https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/safety/parapets.page

Follow the link below for detailed instructions on how to retrieve a building’s BCAS inspection report. 

BCAS Inspection Reports

Please contact your Deputy Director of Facilities if you have any questions or concerns regarding these critical inspections. 

PDF Version: 26.005  - FY26 New York City Local Law 126 (LL 126) Annual Parapet Inspections - Published January 13, 2026