Engineering, Inspection, & Capital Reserve Services

The Borough of Fort Lee has enacted Ordinance 2025‑17, mandating regular structural inspections of parking garages to promote safety and enhance long-term durability. This ordinance is applicable to the majority of commercial and multi‑family residential properties containing parking structures. KEY PROVISIONS OF ORDINANCE 2025‑17 Applies To: The ordinance covers most commercial and multi-family residential properties with parking garages. However, wood‑frame garages are exempt from these requirements. Inspection Requirement: Owners must ensure their parking structures undergo regular structural inspections as mandated by the ordinance. Initial Deadline: Structures that are five years old or older must comply with the inspection deadline of December 31, 2026 as set forth in the ordinance. Reporting: After inspections, owners are required to submit reports detailing the condition of the parking garages in accordance with the ordinance. Condition Ratings: Inspected structures will be assigned condition ratings. Those classified as Unsafe must be repaired promptly and have follow-up reporting performed. Structures that are classified as Unsafe must be repaired without delay. Once repairs are completed, owners are required to submit follow-up reports documenting the corrective actions and current condition of the parking garage. This process ensures that safety concerns are promptly addressed and monitored over time. Parking garages are subject to harsh environmental conditions that can accelerate structural deterioration. This ordinance is intended to identify issues early, allowing owners to address problems before they become severe. By complying with the inspection and reporting requirements, owners can help protect the safety of the public and building occupants, reduce exposure to liability risks, avoid costly emergency repairs and violations, and better plan for future repairs and capital improvements.

Winter is here - and with it comes one of the most important signals your roof may be failing: ice damming. If you’ve noticed thick ridges of ice forming along your roofline, or you are experiencing leaks inside during freeze–thaw cycles, it could signal that a roof replacement is needed. Ice dams don’t just happen because of cold weather - they’re often a sign of: Aging shingles that can’t shed water properly Underlying roof damage or deterioration Poor or failing attic ventilation Insufficient insulation allowing heat to escape If not properly managed, ice damming may result in significant expenses by causing interior water damage, mold development, compromised gutters, and potential structural concerns.