by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Jun 12, 2024 | Local Law 11 / FISP, NYC DOB
Local Law 11 also known as FISP requires facade inspections to be performed by a licensed architect or engineer who is also qualified as a QEWI. A QEWI is a Registered Architect or Professional Engineer who is certified by the New York City Department of Buildings as... 
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Jun 12, 2024 | Local Law 11 / FISP, NYC DOB
What is FISP? The Façade Inspection & Safety Program (FISP), formerly known as Local Law 11, is a requirement for buildings to have regular inspections to verify the safety of the exterior walls for buildings over six stories in NYC. Safety reports are filed with... 
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated May 28, 2025 | Lofts, NYC DOB, NYC Zoning
SoHo and NoHo lofts are sometimes designated as Joint Living-Work Quarters for Artists (JLWQA). If you are not an artist and would like to own one of these lofts, you can now convert certain JLWQA lofts to unrestricted residential lofts due to the SoHo / NoHo rezoning... 
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Jul 3, 2022 | New York City, NYC DOB
On December 15, 2021 New York City Council passed a rezoning plan to SoHo and NoHo. This plan incorporates rezoning to mixed use zoning districts for commercial and residential uses with Mandatory Inclusionary Housing for residential developments within the newly... 
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Jun 7, 2024 | Apartment Renovations, NYC DOB, Renovations
Can You Turn a Studio Into a One Bedroom Apartment? It is possible to legally turn a studio apartment into a one bedroom apartment in NYC provided the studio has sufficient floor area and windows. An architect can obtain approval from the NYC Department of Buildings... 
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated May 15, 2024 | Building Conversions, NYC DOB
After the Great Depression, people converted townhouses in NYC into SRO Rooming Houses. They divided the townhouses and Brownstones into many small one-room apartments with a shared bathroom in the hallway of each floor. Today people are purchasing these SRO...