Covered parking structures require inspection by a New York State professional engineer who is also a DOB-qualified QPSI and a condition-assessment report at least every six years. The QPSI files within 60 days of assessment; unsafe conditions require correction within 90 days and an amended report within two weeks after repair. Confirm the current requirement in the cited agency system and in any notice issued for the property.
Decide whether the facility is a covered parking structure
Coverage includes buildings or portions of buildings used for parking or storing motor vehicles, including open and enclosed garages and parking inside or under another building.
DOB excludes automotive repair shops, showrooms, service stations, garages with occupancy below three cars, unenclosed and unattached lots, and garages serving one- and two-family homes. Document the basis for the coverage decision.
- Confirm the parking structure’s coverage, borough subcycle, filing history, and any prior unsafe or SREM conditions.
- Engage a QPSI early enough for hands-on inspection, testing, report preparation, and owner correction planning.
- Review public protection, occupancy, water intrusion, concrete distress, corrosion, and required maintenance.
Hire a QPSI and manage the condition classification
Verify that the professional engineer appears on DOB’s active QPSI list. Preserve prior reports so the QPSI can compare deterioration and repair history.
- Schedule the periodic inspection within the applicable subcycle and preserve prior reports for comparison.
- Install required safeguards and make immediate notifications for unsafe conditions.
- File the QPSI report and complete repairs, permits, amended reports, or follow-up filings by the applicable deadlines.
- Resolve penalties or objections and verify DOB acceptance and condition classification.
Use the borough cycle and 60/90-day filing sequence
Cycle 1 is staggered by Community District. The current active sub-cycle in 2026–2027 covers the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.
| Item | Current requirement |
|---|---|
| Manhattan CDs 1–7 | Sub-cycle A: 2022–2023 |
| Manhattan CDs 8–12 and Brooklyn | Sub-cycle B: 2024–2025 |
| Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island | Sub-cycle C: 2026–2027 |
| QPSI condition assessment report | File within 60 days after assessment |
| Unsafe-condition correction | Within 90 days after filing |
| Amended report after unsafe repair | Within two weeks after work finishes |
Parking-structure compliance mistakes to avoid
Use this list as a final review before filing, paying, certifying, or closing the internal task.
- Assuming a structure is exempt because it does not appear on the City’s initial list.
- Hiring a professional engineer who is not an active QPSI.
- Waiting until the end of the sub-cycle to begin testing, access, and repair planning.
- Correcting an unsafe condition but missing the amended-report deadline.
Maintain the six-year condition and repair archive
Keep coverage, Community District, Parking Structure ID, QPSI verification, inspection and testing, report, classification, public protection, repairs, permits, fees, amended report, and DOB acceptance.
- Coverage, borough subcycle, and structure inventory
- QPSI inspection, testing, photographs, and report
- Safeguards, permits, repairs, and follow-up
- DOB filing confirmations, classification, and penalties
Follow unsafe and SREM conditions beyond the first report
Filing an unsafe or SREM report does not close the physical condition. Track protection, repairs, amended or follow-up reports, and DOB status to completion.
A filed condition report records the condition; it does not complete required protection, repair, permit, monitoring, or amended-report work.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice.
