FACADE ORdinance inspections
Know what your city requires.
Façade ordinances can vary by city, building height, age, and condition. Walker helps you understand what applies, complete the required inspection, document the right details, and plan the next steps before a compliance issue becomes a larger problem.
Façade ordinance finder
Find requirements by city.
Search a city or state to review the basic ordinance criteria, inspection cadence, qualified-professional requirements, and official jurisdiction source.
City ordinance directory
Browse façade ordinance requirements by city.
San Francisco, CAFaçade Inspection and Maintenance Program
Buildings generally covered
Buildings 5 stories or taller. Confirm current tier, construction-date, waiver, and additional high-rise requirements with the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection.
Typical cadence
Confirm the inspection schedule and tier requirements with San Francisco DBI. The prior Walker page referenced a 10-year cycle for qualifying buildings constructed between 1910 and 1970.
Qualified professional
A licensed professional engineer or registered architect. Confirm current requirements with San Francisco DBI.
Chicago, ILExterior Wall Program
Buildings generally covered
Building enclosures and exterior walls more than 80 feet in height and over the public way. Filing type depends on prior classification and current conditions.
Typical cadence
A Short Form is generally filed every 2 years for qualifying buildings previously classified as Safe or Safe with Maintenance. A critical examination may be required in other circumstances.
Qualified professional
Inspections must be performed by a registered architect or registered structural engineer.
Boston, MABoston façade ordinance
Buildings generally covered
Occupied structures over 70 feet above grade or classified as high-rise structures. Certain unoccupied structures over 35,000 cubic feet may require annual inspection.
Typical cadence
Occupied qualifying structures: once every 5 years. Certain unoccupied qualifying structures: once per year.
Qualified professional
A Commonwealth of Massachusetts licensed Professional Engineer experienced in structural engineering or a licensed Registered Architect knowledgeable in façade design, construction, and inspection.
Detroit, MIWall report requirement
Buildings generally covered
Buildings with 5 or more stories in height, including roof-mounted structures and exterior walls or exterior projections.
Typical cadence
Every 5 years from the date of BSEED approval.
Qualified professional
The inspection must be completed by a competent person. Confirm current City guidance for the required report preparer.
St. Louis, MOFaçade inspection requirements
Buildings generally covered
Buildings over 5 stories or 60 feet in height for cornices, entablatures, belt courses, trim, and similar decorative features. Exterior cantilevered balconies, stairways, and fire escapes are also subject to recurring inspection requirements.
Typical cadence
Every 3 years.
Qualified professional
A Missouri licensed design professional.
Jersey City, NJFaçade inspection requirements
Buildings generally covered
Buildings higher than 6 stories, or buildings with masonry façades that are 4 stories or more in height.
Typical cadence
Every 5 years.
Qualified professional
A licensed architect or engineer prepares the façade inspection report. Confirm the current ordinance requirements.
New York City, NYFaçade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP)
Buildings generally covered
Buildings higher than 6 stories.
Typical cadence
Every 5 years. Filing windows are tied to the building block number.
Qualified professional
A Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI).
Cincinnati, OHFaçade inspection program
Buildings generally covered
Buildings more than 15 years old with a height of 5 stories or 60 feet above grade.
Typical cadence
Confirm the current inspection and filing schedule with the City of Cincinnati.
Qualified professional
Inspections must be performed by a registered architect or engineer.
Cleveland, OHExterior wall and appurtenance inspections
Buildings generally covered
Buildings taller than 5 stories and 75 feet that are 30 years old or older. Confirm the protected-distance criteria that apply to the property.
Typical cadence
Every 5 years.
Qualified professional
Inspection must be performed by a qualified inspector under the local ordinance.
Columbus, OHCritical observation report requirement
Buildings generally covered
Buildings 20 years or older with a façade within 10 feet of a public right-of-way, pedestrian walkway, or plaza.
Typical cadence
Every 5 years.
Qualified professional
Confirm the qualified-professional requirements with the City of Columbus.
Philadelphia, PAProperty maintenance certification for façades
Buildings generally covered
Buildings 6 or more stories in height or with any appurtenance more than 60 feet in height.
Typical cadence
Typically every 5 years. New structures are generally inspected within 10 years of completion, then every 5 years. Confirm current waiver and extension rules.
Qualified professional
A licensed engineer or architect.
Pittsburgh, PAFaçade inspections
Buildings generally covered
Every building façade, subject to the City’s adopted International Property Maintenance Code and local amendments. Confirm the requirements that apply to the property.
Typical cadence
Every 5 years.
Qualified professional
A licensed professional engineer or registered architect.
Milwaukee, WIFaçade Inspection Ordinance
Buildings generally covered
Buildings 15 years or older with 5 stories or more.
Typical cadence
The schedule is staggered based on building age and exterior-wall construction category.
Qualified professional
A Wisconsin registered architect or registered structural engineer.
Requirements can change. Confirm current applicability, filing deadlines, and professional requirements with the local jurisdiction or a qualified professional before relying on this summary.