A month-by-month guide to elevator inspections, boiler compliance, FISP cycles, LL152 gas piping, energy benchmarking, and all DOB filing deadlines. Never miss a critical inspection date again.
NYC building owners face a bewildering array of overlapping compliance deadlines. Elevator inspections, boiler certification, facade examination, gas piping surveys, energy benchmarking, and parapet observations all operate on different cycles—some annual, some multi-year. Missing even one deadline can result in thousands in fines, insurance complications, and liability exposure.
This calendar organizes every major 2026 inspection deadline month by month, so you can see at a glance what is due when, and plan your compliance strategy accordingly.
A typical NYC building may have four or five different compliance obligations running simultaneously on different schedules:
All elevator CAT1 (no-load safety test) inspections must be completed by December 31, 2026. If your building had CAT1 filed in 2025, you need CAT1 again in 2026 (unless it is a CAT5 year). Schedule early to avoid end-of-year bottlenecks. Budget 4-6 weeks for scheduling.
Calendar-year boiler inspections must be completed and filed with DOB by December 31, 2026. This includes combustion efficiency testing and annual certification. Early-year scheduling ensures compliance with winter heating season demands.
If your building block is in FISP Cycle 10A (blocks ending in 4, 5, 6, 9), your 5-year inspection was due in 2025. Filing window closes June 30, 2026. Any filed-in-2025 buildings should finalize DOB submissions by end of January.
For buildings 25,000+ sq ft: NYSERDA's benchmarking portal opens. Begin gathering utility data (electric, natural gas, steam, water) for 2025 calendar year. Deadline for submission is May 1, 2026. Building owners should start now to avoid last-minute scrambling.
Buildings in FISP Cycle 10B (blocks ending in 0, 7, 8) are entering their inspection year. Initial inspections can begin in February. DO NOT WAIT. Schedule your FISP engineer now for spring/early summer inspection to meet fall filing deadlines.
CDs 2, 5, 7, 13, 18 (Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn): Gas piping inspections are due this year. Filing deadline is December 31, 2026. Schedule your inspection by end of April to ensure timely filing.
Local Law 126 requires annual parapet observations. March through September is optimal (better weather, good visibility, observer availability). Spring scheduling avoids the year-end rush and winter weather complications. Budget $445-$600 per building.
Periodic (visual) elevator inspections must be completed by year-end. April is traditionally when buildings schedule these because it is between winter/summer heat spikes. Expect 4-week scheduling lead time.
Cycle 10B buildings should have inspections completed or well underway. Your FISP engineer needs time for data analysis before the September-October filing push. If you have not yet engaged an engineer, this is your last month for spring scheduling.
All buildings 25,000+ sq ft MUST submit 2025 energy benchmarking data to NYSERDA by May 1. Late submission incurs $500+ penalties per month. Even if your data is incomplete, submit what you have and file an amendment. Do not miss this date.
Any buildings in Cycle 10A that had 2025 inspections must file with DOB by June 30, 2026. If you performed inspection in late 2025 or early 2026, finalize your DOB filing immediately. No extensions beyond June 30.
Buildings with tax block last digit = 5 are due for 10-year energy audits in 2026. Audits must be performed by NYC-registered energy auditors. This is a rigorous 10-year cycle; do not confuse with annual LL84 benchmarking. Filing deadline: December 15, 2026.
This is the final day to file FISP inspections from Cycle 10A (blocks 4, 5, 6, 9 inspected in 2025). After June 30, non-compliance penalties accrue. No exceptions, no extensions.
By July, you should have completed or scheduled: boiler inspection, parapet observation, elevator CAT1, elevator periodic, and any LL152 inspections due in 2026. If you are behind on any of these, July is your chance to get back on track before the fall rush.
Cycle 10B buildings should finalize inspections and begin preparing reports for DOB filing. September 30, 2026 filing window opens. Your engineer should be in final report-writing phase by end of July.
With heating season 90 days away, verify your boiler inspection is completed and DOB filing is finalized. Any needed repairs from the inspection should be scheduled and completed during the warm months, before heating demand peaks in December.
August is your last calm month. September-December will be frantic: FISP 10B filings (Sept 30 - Dec 15), LL87 energy audit filings (by Dec 15), elevator/boiler year-end completions. Schedule remaining inspections in August/early September.
All Cycle 10B buildings (blocks ending in 0, 7, 8) can now file their 2026 inspections with DOB. Window remains open through December 15, 2026. File by October 31 to avoid year-end bottlenecks. Late filings incur penalties.
For CDs 2, 5, 7, 13, 18: Your gas piping inspection should be completed by now. Final DOB filings are due December 31, 2026. If inspection is not yet done, schedule immediately—inspectors book up rapidly in Q4.
If you have not yet completed CAT1 or periodic inspections, September is your final chance to book without rushing. December deadline is immovable. Budget 2-3 weeks for scheduling if you haven't already done so.
For buildings 25,000+ sq ft: LL97 annual benchmarking, audit, and emissions compliance reporting opens. Most buildings report based on 2025 calendar year data. Understand your LL97 compliance category (reference standard buildings, emissions limits, energy benchmarking, etc.). Initial deadline: April 15, 2027 for most buildings.
Heating season is active. Your boiler inspection must be complete and DOB filing finalized. Any repairs recommended during inspection should already be done. Verify your DOB filing is recorded in ICIS system.
November and December see increased DOB inspections and enforcement activity, particularly for buildings with overdue FISP, elevator, or boiler filings. If you are non-compliant, expect violation notices this month. Address immediately.
Cycle 10B filing window closes December 15, 2026. If you have not filed your 2026 inspection, November is your last full month to do so without risk of penalty accumulation. File by November 30 to be safe.
All CAT1 (no-load) and periodic (visual) elevator inspections must be completed by December 31, 2026. CAT5 (full load) inspections, if due this year, must also be completed. January 1, 2027 brings non-compliance penalties.
All boiler combustion testing and annual certification must be completed and DOB filing submitted by December 31, 2026. This is a hard deadline. Late or missing filings trigger Class 1 violations.
Final day to file Cycle 10B (blocks 0, 7, 8) inspections with DOB. Any filings after December 15 incur penalties. Plan for 1-2 week filing processing time.
For buildings with block last digit = 5: Energy audit must be filed with DOB by December 15, 2026. No extensions. Audits require 4-6 weeks to complete once inspection is scheduled.
For CDs 2, 5, 7, 13, 18: All gas piping inspections must be filed with DOB by December 31, 2026. This is a calendar-year deadline. Late filings incur penalties starting January 1, 2027.
FISP (Facade Inspection Safety Program) operates on a strict 5-year block number cycle. Your building's block number (final digit) determines when your next inspection is due. Cycle 10A runs 2025-2027; Cycle 10B runs 2026-2028.
| Block Last Digit | Inspection Year | Filing Window Opens | Filing Deadline | 2026 Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4, 5, 6, 9 | 2025 | January 1, 2025 | June 30, 2026 | Final filings due June 30, 2026 |
| Block Last Digit | Inspection Year | Filing Window Opens | Filing Deadline | 2026 Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0, 7, 8 | 2026-2027 | September 30, 2026 | December 15, 2026 or June 30, 2027 (staggered) | Inspections must be completed by September 30 for fall 2026 filing |
Local Law 152 requires periodic inspection of gas piping in high-rise buildings. The 4-year cycle is keyed to community district (CD). Your CD determines which year(s) you are due. Once an inspection is completed, the 4-year countdown resets.
| Community Districts Due 2026 | Filing Deadline | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan: CD 2, 5, 7, 13, 18 | December 31, 2026 | Gas piping inspection + DOB filing |
| Manhattan: CD 4, 6, 8, 9, 16 | December 31, 2027 | Due 2027 (not 2026) |
| Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island: Various CDs staggered | See DOB website for CD-specific years | Check your CD; many are due 2026 |
Local Law 87 requires a detailed energy audit every 10 years. The cycle is based on the last digit of your tax block number (also called Borough Block Lot or BBL). Your tax block last digit determines which year you are due.
If your building's tax block number ends in 5, you are due for your 10-year energy audit in 2026. The audit must be performed by a NYC-registered professional engineer. Filing deadline with DOB is December 15, 2026.
Examples: Block 1234 = digit 4 (not due 2026). Block 1235 = digit 5 (DUE 2026). Block 1245 = digit 5 (DUE 2026).
| Tax Block Last Digit | 2026 Status | Audit Deadline | Next Audit Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | DUE 2026 | December 15, 2026 | 2036 (10-year cycle) |
| 6 | Due 2027 | December 15, 2027 | 2037 |
| 4 | Due 2025 | December 15, 2025 (PAST) | 2035 |
Elevator inspections in NYC operate on multiple overlapping cycles, all keyed to the calendar year (January 1 — December 31). Understanding which inspections apply to your building is essential.
All buildings must complete:
If your last CAT5 was in 2021, your next CAT5 is due in 2026. If your last CAT5 was in 2022, your next CAT5 is due in 2027 (so in 2026 you do CAT1 + periodic).
List each compliance requirement for your building with the 2026 deadline. Columns: Service, Status (pending / scheduled / completed), Due Date, Provider, Cost, Filing Date. Update monthly. This becomes invaluable for buildings with multiple properties.
Elevator and boiler inspections can both happen on the same visit. Parapet observations fit with boiler inspections (both require roof access). Combining services reduces disruption, saves money, and ensures compliance across multiple requirements with a single site visit.
Enter your address and ZIP code into our free Compliance Calculator at insparisk.com/compliance-calculator. The tool identifies all 2026 deadlines specific to your building (FISP, LL152, LL87, etc.) based on your block number and community district. This beats manual block lookup every time.
Q4 (September-December) sees explosive demand for inspections. Inspectors book 4-6 weeks out starting in August. Schedule your inspections by July 31 to secure calendar slots. Late scheduling (November-December) limits availability and may force you into overtime or rush fees.
DOB filings can take 1-2 weeks to process and post to the ICIS system. Do not schedule your inspection inspection for December 15 (FISP filing deadline) or December 31 (boiler deadline) expecting to file the same day. Complete inspections 3-4 weeks before the filing deadline to allow for report generation and DOB processing.
Mark your calendar now for:
Your FISP block number is the last digit of your NYC tax block number (BBL — Borough Block Lot). You can find this on your DOF property tax bill, or enter your address in the Insparisk Compliance Calculator and it will return your block and FISP cycle status.
Missing a DOB inspection deadline (boiler, elevator, FISP, LL152) triggers a Class 1 or Class 2 violation and potentially significant fines. The building is non-compliant and liable for liability exposure if an incident occurs. If you have missed a deadline, contact an inspection firm and file for a DOB extension IMMEDIATELY. Extensions are possible but require documentation of good faith effort to comply.
FISP is a separate comprehensive facade assessment performed by a licensed PE or RA. It cannot be combined with boiler, elevator, or parapet inspections. However, you can coordinate the scheduling to happen in the same week, minimizing site disruption.
No. LL84 (annual) is simple utility data submission. LL87 (10-year) is a detailed engineering audit performed on-site. If you are in a LL87 audit year, you may owe both that year. Check your tax block digit to see if 2026 is a LL87 year for you.
If your building's last CAT5 test was in 2021 (making 2026 your CAT5 year), you perform CAT5 in 2026 instead of CAT1. CAT5 is the full-load test and supersedes the annual CAT1. However, you still need a periodic (visual) inspection that year. So: CAT5 (once) + periodic (annually) = your 2026 elevator compliance.
Parapet observations (Local Law 126) require a qualified observer but not necessarily a licensed PE. Many inspection firms have qualified observers on staff. Cost is typically $445-$600 per building. Insparisk offers parapet observations as standalone ($445) or bundled with boiler inspections ($795 for both).
Most inspectors accept bookings 2-3 months in advance. You can schedule your 2026 boiler, elevator, and parapet inspections as early as January 2026. Scheduling early (January-July) ensures better availability and avoids year-end crunch. Do not wait until November.
Use our Compliance Calculator to identify all your 2026 deadlines, then schedule boiler, elevator, parapet, and FISP inspections with our team.
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