Boston’s Façade Ordinance

What Is Boston’s Façade Ordinance?

Boston’s Facade Ordinance (Section 9-9.12 of the City Code) ensures the safety and stability of exterior building walls across the city. The law requires regular inspections of qualifying buildings to identify deterioration early, address hazards, and protect the public from falling masonry or compromised façade elements. Inspections must be completed by qualified professionals, with clear reporting and timely maintenance to remain compliant.

What You Need
to Know

  • Applies to Boston buildings over 70 feet tall
  • Inspections required every five years (every 12 months if vacant)
  • Must be conducted under the supervision of a MA-licensed PE or RA
  • Classifications include Safe, Unsafe, or SWARMP. Unsafe conditions require immediate protection and rapid corrective action
  • Reports must be filed with Inspectional Services Department (ISD) within 30 days

Key Components of Boston’s Façade Ordinance:

Inspection Requirements

Boston buildings over 70 feet require regular evaluation of exterior walls for loose masonry, cracking, displacement, and water infiltration. Inspections occur every five years—or annually for vacant buildings—and must be supervised by a MA-licensed PE or RA. Additional inspections may be required for buildings with known conditions.

Inspection Report & Classification

After each evaluation, the engineer or architect submits a detailed report to ISD classifying the façade as Safe, Unsafe, or Safe with Repairs and Maintenance Program (SWARMP). Reports outline observed conditions, recommended actions, and timelines for required maintenance or repair.

Maintenance & Repairs

Unsafe conditions require immediate public protection, within 24 hours, and documentation to ISD within three days. Owners must begin corrective work within ten days, with engineers designing the repair scope and overseeing implementation to ensure compliance and long-term façade performance.

Filing with the ISD

Inspection reports must be filed with Inspectional Services Departments (ISD) within 30 days. Owners must maintain copies of all reports and repair documentation. Failure to comply with required inspections or repairs can result in fines, enforcement actions, and additional oversight from the city.

Featured Boston Façade Ordinance Project

Rope-access investigation at a 19-story hotel identified sealant and masonry deterioration, guiding a targeted restoration program that addressed envelope deficiencies from an earlier renovation.

Hotel AKA Boston Common 90 Tremont Street

Hotel AKA Boston Common 90 Tremont Street

Restoration included sealant replacement, selective brick repair, repointing, stone patching, and custom copper windowsills designed to correct long-standing façade deficiencies and improve overall weather performance.
Duffy prepared construction documents, supported contractor selection, and provided construction-phase oversight, coordinating with hotel staff to minimize guest disruption during exterior repair work.

Partner With Duffy

Exterior walls in Boston require attentive management to meet the city’s façade safety requirements. At Duffy Engineering, we support owners, managers, and boards through every step from initial inspection to repair design and ISD filing.

Partner with us for practical, cost-conscious strategies that ensure compliance and peace of mind. Book a learning session to see how we can work together:

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