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Building & Facade Inspection for Community Associations (Laws and Ordinances)

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Building Inspection Laws​​​​​ (click for full law)

Several States and Localities have laws that outline building inspection rules and frequency:

  • ​California - Condominium associations must perform a visual inspection every 9 years beginning Jan 1, 2025 and have a professional prepare a report detailing key information on the remaining useful lifespan of loadbearing structures and waterproofing.​
  • Denver, CO - Sets specific standards high-rise buildings must meet in order to pass inspection.
  • Florida -  Building inspections as structures reach 30 years old and every 10 years thereafter, with mandatory reserve study and funding for structural integrity components (building, floors, windows, plumbing, electrical, etc.).

  • City of Av​entura, FL - Requires both condominium board representatives and managers of homeowners, condominium, and cooperative owners’ associations to provide a copy of any engineering report concerning structural, electrical, or life-safety concerns of a building they are responsible for to the City within forty-eight hours of receiving such a report​​.

  • Miami-Dade County, FL - Subsequent inspections required every 5 years for theshold buildings, recertification every 10 years for buildings 40 years​ of age or older.
  • New Castle County, DE - ​ A structural inspection is required for any building with a primary load bearing system of concrete, masonry, steel or heavy timber and those buildings with structural slabs over unconditioned space. Initial structural inspections required for existing buildings within 2 years of the effective date of a new law or within 60 days of observable damage. New buildings completed after the effective date of thenew law would need a structural inspection within 15 years of occupancy. Schedule for periodic inspections no more than 10 years after the preceding inspections during the first 20 years of a building’s life, or more than 5 years if the building is more than 20 years old. ​
  • New Jersey  -  Initial inspections required either 15 years after issuance of certificate of occupancy, or 60 days after observable damage. Subsequent inspections to occur every 5 years thereafter. ​Requires reserve funding of at least 10% by associations.
  • Jersey City - A structural inspection must be conducted every 10 years, and a visual inspection must be conducted every 10 years.​ Written report required within 30 days on inspection.​
  • Seattle, WA​ - Sets minimum standards for all high rise buildings within the city limits, with a focus on fire safety and clear emergency exits that can be utilized.​

Facade Inspection Ordinances​​​​​ (click for full law)

Additionally, several Municipalities have relevant facade inspection ordinances on record:

  • ​​Boston - Requires owners or entities in ownership of buildings over 70ft tall or are large multifamily buildings to have exterior inspections every 1 to 5 years depending on occupancy.
  • Chicago - Inspections required for the exteriors of all buildings 80ft and higher, with frequency to be set via regulation.
  • Cincinnati - Facade inspections required once a building reaches 15 years of age and is ​at least 5 stories or 60ft high. Also establishes a specific inspection schedule for residential buildings in specific census tracts.​​
  • Cleveland - Exterior inspections required for buildings 5 stories or higher once every 5 years.
  • Columbus - For  buildings 20 years of age or older and which ​are located within 10ft of a public right of way or pedestrian area, an inspection must be completed every 5 years. If a hazard is discovered than building officials must be notified within 24 hours and a copy of the latest inspection must be made available.
  • D​etroit - Requires exteriors of condominiums be maintained by the association.
  • Jersey City - A facade inspection must be conducted every 5 years. Written report required within 30 days on inspection.​​​
  • Milwaukee - Sets specific requirements for the maintenance of the exteriors of residential structures.
  • New York City - Sets specific minimum number of inspections of facades to be performed based on building height, and must have an inspection every 5 years. Includes balconies and parking facilities as part of the facade.​
  • New Castle County, DE - Initial inspection 5 years after date of issuance of certificate of occupancy or 60 days after observable damage. Subsequent inspections every 5 years thereafter.
  • Pittsburgh​ - Inspections required every 5 years.
  • San Francisco - Sets a specific timeframe for buildings 5 or more stories to have an initial inspection based on the age of the building. Frequency of subsequent inspections ​​set at 10 years after initial inspection.
  • St Louis - ​​​Establishes minimum requirements for facades for all residential buildings in the city. Frequency of inspections determined via regulation by the city.

NOTE: States in Gray ONLY have local laws pertaining to Building Inspections, and States in Green​​​​​​​​ have BOTH State and local laws on Building Inspections. 

States in Blue identify states with Municipalities that have an identified Facade Inspection Ordinance.