Parking Garage Inspection Laws

This is a guest blog by Nick Heim, P.E.

inspection laws

As engineering professionals, we continually seek ways to improve our industry, enhance efficiency, and ensure the safety of the public.

One way that public safety is enhanced is through periodic inspection of structures susceptible to deterioration by the elements, including bridges, buildings, and facades.

Today, I would like to focus on my specialty โ€” parking garages โ€” and how laws passed by jurisdictions help catch issues with parking structure issues through periodic inspection.

inspection laws

What Is a Parking Garage Inspection Law?

A parking garage inspection law mandates periodic inspections of parking structures to ensure safety and structural integrity.

These laws typically require parking garage owners to conduct regular inspections and maintenance, addressing structural and safety issues.

Requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but some common ones include:

  • The requirements of the inspection law are outlined in the jurisdictionโ€™s code of ordinances or equivalent.
  • Inspection is required at some minimum interval (e.g., annually, every three years, every five years).
  • Inspection is required to be performed by a licensed professional. For example, New York City requires inspection by a Qualified Parking Structure Inspector (QPSI), who must also be a New York State Professional Engineer (PE).
  • A report by the licensed professional is required to be submitted to a jurisdictional entity, typically a building department, following the requirements set by the jurisdiction.
  • Conditions identified in the report may need to be remedied within a specific time frame.

Which Jurisdictions Have Enacted Parking Garage Inspection Laws?

The following table lists jurisdictions that have enacted parking garage inspection laws. Beside each jurisdiction is the minimum inspection interval that each requires.+

For additional information on any of these inspection ordinances, please contact the author.

How Do Parking Garage Inspection Laws Enhance Public Safety?

Parking garage inspection laws provide inspectors the opportunity to assess potentially hazardous conditions on parking structures before they cause harm to people or property. Example conditions are shown below:

Overhead Hazards

Overhead hazards are portions of a structure that have the potential to damage people or property, typically through the potential for concrete to fall from a slab soffit to the level below.

After the overhead hazard is removed, inspectors and engineers can safely assess the condition for further repair, if required.

overhead hazardExample of overhead hazard before and after mitigation

Barrier Cables

Barrier cables are a safety feature commonly used in parking structures to prevent vehicles from falling off edges or from crossing into pedestrian areas. They are tensioned steel cables installed along the perimeters of parking structures.

When not properly installed or maintained, these cables, tensioned on the order of a few thousand pounds, can lose tension, break, and cause harm to people or property.

inspection lawsExample of barrier cable that has lost tension

Concrete Delamination

Concrete delamination refers to the separation of a layer of concrete, often thin compared to the rest of the section, from adjacent concrete.

Left unchecked, small delaminations can turn into larger structural issues and/or overhead hazards.

inspection lawsExample of delaminated concrete, exposing conventional reinforcement (rebar)

How Do I Stay Compliant?

Regardless of the type of inspection law, you as an asset owner can take a few basic steps to educate yourself and remain compliant:

-Understand the jurisdictionโ€™s specific requirements by reviewing the codified ordinance.

-Engage a professional (as outlined in the requirements of the codified ordinance) to perform an inspection on your behalf and guide you through the process.

-Submit the required documentation to the jurisdiction in a timely manner to avoid fees and penalties.

About the Author Nick Heim, P.E.

structurecareNick Heim, P.E., is a civil engineer with six years of experience in the repair and restoration of existing structures. Nick is also the host of the AEC Engineering and Technology Podcast (“AECTECH”) and brings valuable insights and expertise to listeners worldwide.

Nickโ€™s interests lie at the intersection between the built world and technology, and he can be found looking for the ever-changing answer to the question, โ€œHow can we do this better?โ€ He can be found on LinkedIn, producing content about use of technologies in his civil engineering career and small business.

We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you might share about parking garage inspection laws.

Please leave your comments, feedback or questions in the section below.

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To your success,

Anthony Fasano, PE, LEED AP
Engineering Management Institute
Author ofย Engineer Your Own Success

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