Brooklyn’s Seismic Retrofitting Revolution: How 2025’s New Standards Are Reshaping Special Inspection Requirements

As the ground beneath New York City continues to shift—both literally and figuratively—Brooklyn finds itself at the epicenter of a seismic safety transformation. In New York City, DOB develops and updates building codes to mitigate risk from earthquake and enforces these codes through extensive administrative measures. The seismic regulation follows the developments and improvements in national seismic standards. With enhanced building codes and evolving special inspection requirements taking effect in 2025, property owners and construction professionals across Brooklyn must navigate an increasingly complex landscape of earthquake safety regulations.

The Reality of Seismic Risk in Brooklyn

While many New Yorkers assume earthquake risk is minimal, New York City does not sit on a seismically active fault line, earthquakes are a possibility. While the probability of a strong earthquake occurring is moderate, the risk is heightened by our population density, the scale of our built environment, the interdependencies of critical infrastructure. Most buildings were constructed before New York City adopted seismic design provisions for buildings in 1995, leaving thousands of structures in Brooklyn vulnerable to seismic forces.

DOB is also working on a draft of the NYC Existing Building Code, which includes a structural chapter intended to address issues related to seismic loads in existing buildings, among other concerns, by referring the user to the NYC Building Code structural requirements. This initiative aims to improve safety or mitigate hazards in buildings constructed before the seismic requirements were enacted.

Enhanced Special Inspection Requirements for Seismic Retrofitting

The 2025 updates to New York City’s building codes have significantly expanded special inspection requirements for seismic retrofitting projects. Special inspections of structural steel in the seismic force-resisting systems of buildings and structures assigned to Seismic Design Category B, C or D shall be performed in accordance with the quality assurance requirements of AISC 341. Special inspections of structural steel elements in the seismic force-resisting systems of buildings and structures assigned to Seismic Design Category B, C or D other than those covered in Section 1705.2.4.1 of this code, including struts, collectors, chords and foundation elements, shall be performed in accordance with the quality assurance requirements of AISC 341.

Most of the details required by earthquake design are subject to special inspections performed by qualified private engineers who are responsible for reporting findings to DOB. These inspections are critical for ensuring that retrofitting work meets the enhanced seismic standards now required throughout Brooklyn.

Key Changes in 2025 Seismic Standards

The updated regulations focus on several critical areas that directly impact special inspection requirements:

• Structural Steel Connections: The special inspector shall perform an inspection of the steel frame to verify compliance with the details shown on the approved construction documents, such as bracing, stiffening, member locations and proper application of joint details at each connection, including connections designed for seismic effects.
• Wood Construction Systems: Continuous special inspection shall be required during field gluing operations of elements of the seismic force resisting system. Periodic special inspection shall be required for nailing, bolting, anchoring and of other elements of the seismic force-resisting system, including wood shear walls, wood diaphragms, drag struts, braces, shear panels and hold-downs.
• Nondestructive Testing: Nondestructive testing for seismic resistance shall be in accordance with Section 1705.2.5.1 or 1705.2.5.2, as applicable. Nondestructive testing of structural steel in the seismic force-resisting systems of buildings and structures assigned to Seismic Design Category B, C, or D shall be performed in accordance with the quality assurance requirements of AISC

The Role of Qualified Special Inspection Agencies

With these enhanced requirements, property owners need experienced partners who understand both the technical aspects of seismic retrofitting and the complex inspection protocols. A qualified special inspection agency brooklyn must navigate these evolving standards while ensuring projects remain compliant and on schedule.

Broadway Inspections is a locally owned and operated special inspection agency proudly serving New York City. We specialize in providing special inspections and tenant protection plan inspections for construction projects, ensuring compliance with NYC DOB Codes and safety regulations. With over 17 years of experience in the industry, companies like Broadway Inspections understand the nuances of Brooklyn’s diverse building stock and the specific challenges that seismic retrofitting presents in occupied structures.

Practical Implications for Brooklyn Property Owners

The 2025 seismic standards create several practical considerations for Brooklyn property owners:

Increased Documentation Requirements: Any and all documents that set forth the location and entire nature and extent of the proposed work with sufficient clarity and detail to show that the proposed work conforms to the provisions of this code and other applicable laws and rules. This means more comprehensive planning and documentation before work begins.

Enhanced Quality Assurance: EPIC is now authorized to conduct critical inspections such as support of excavation, structural foundations, deep foundations, seismic resistance, and all types of mass timber construction, reflecting the expanded scope of inspections now required for seismic work.

Occupied Building Challenges: Many Brooklyn buildings remain occupied during retrofitting work, requiring specialized tenant protection plan inspections that ensure construction proceeds safely without disrupting residents or businesses.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Seismic Safety in Brooklyn

New York City is acting to mandate that new infrastructure be designed to meet more robust seismic loading requirements, and that older infrastructure be retrofitted to meet those standards. Federal, state, and local government agencies all play roles in setting standards for and overseeing the implementation of seismic safety improvements for infrastructure. Seismic guidelines for infrastructure govern New York City’s actions in retrofitting older bridges, tunnels, and other critical facilities to withstand risks from earthquakes, and designing new infrastructure according to safer standards.

The 2025 seismic standards represent more than regulatory compliance—they’re an investment in Brooklyn’s long-term resilience. Risk-mitigation strategies continue to grow more successful as seismologists, geologists, engineers, architects, emergency responders, and other experts innovate new public-safety initiatives in their respective fields. The primary strategies involve more robust seismic building code requirements, enhanced seismic design requirements, increased effort to inspect and maintain critical infrastructure, and retrofitting of buildings.

For property owners in Brooklyn, partnering with experienced special inspection agencies ensures that retrofitting projects not only meet current standards but are positioned for future regulatory developments. As the borough continues to evolve its approach to seismic safety, having qualified professionals who understand both the technical requirements and the inspection protocols becomes increasingly valuable.

The seismic retrofitting revolution in Brooklyn is more than a regulatory shift—it’s a fundamental reimagining of how we build and maintain safe structures in an urban environment. With proper planning, qualified special inspections, and adherence to the enhanced 2025 standards, Brooklyn’s buildings can become more resilient while preserving the character and functionality that make the borough unique.