Effective January 1, 2022, parking garage owners throughout New York’s five boroughs are required to comply with New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) Local Law 126, Article 323.

Local Law 126 requires parking garage owners to hire a New York State licensed professional engineer designated as a Qualified Parking Structures Inspector (QPSI) to perform an inspection of the structure and complete a condition assessment report every six years.

“We’re seeing an evolving landscape in New York City which requires increased safety of our infrastructure. Our team helps clients maintain the integrity of their infrastructure, as well as meet quickly approaching deadlines,” said EXP’s QPSI and Senior Structural Engineer Chander Shahdadpuri.

Steps to compliance and deadlines

Step 1: Identify “Parking Structure” meets the requirements:

  • A building or a portion of a building used for parking or storing motor vehicles, including space inside or under a building.
  • Open parking garages and enclosed parking garages as defined in the NYC Building Code and 1 RCNY §103-13.

Step 2: QPSI conducts the inspection:

  • To adhere to the Local Law, owners must hire a designed QPSI to conduct the inspection.

Step 3: QPSI files Initial Compliance Report:

  • The QPSI must complete and submit the Initial Compliance Report, which meets the minimum requirements of 1 RCNY §103-13 within 60 days after completing the assessment. Fees must be paid at the time of report submission.

Step 4: QPSI prepares construction documents for repairs and strengthening, as required.

Step 5: The owner hires a contractor to perform the repairs.

Step 6: QPSI inspects the repairs and submits an Amended Report.

Reporting deadlines per the New York DOB:

  • Manhattan Community Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023.
  • Manhattan Community Districts 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and Brooklyn Community Districts: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2025. This is the current cycle. An initial inspection of the structure must be completed and filed with the DOB by August 1, 2024.
  • Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island Community Districts: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027.

EXP’s QPSI and local experts can help your parking structure remain in compliance with New York’s new regulations. Contact Qualified Parking Structures Inspector Chander Shahdadpuri to learn more or schedule your parking structure inspection.