Vacate order
Vacate order – What Homeowners Must Do
Post the red sticker on your door where everyone sees it. You cannot go inside without DOB permission. You have 24h to 10 days to vacate. You have 10 days to fix the problem.Fix the problem fast (hire licensed experts), then ask DOB to inspect and remove the order.
Why and Penalties
DOB issues it for safety reasons after inspection. Ignore it and get fines: $6,000 (first offence), $12,000 (the next one), or police may lock doors. Stay out until fixed—protect your family and avoid more trouble.
Good to know
This page is for general education only and is based on public New York City sources when available. Some technical and legal terms are simplified into plain English to help homeowners and ESL readers. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace guidance from a licensed professional. NYC construction and safety rules change often, and your project may have extra DOB*, OSHA*, or local requirements. Before you start work, always check current rules with a licensed design professional or directly with the NYC Department of Buildings.
Related terms
Some glossary entries use an asterisk * at the end of the term (for example, violation* or permit*). This mark is only a technical tool on this website. It does not change the meaning of the word.
If you see any capital letter abbreviations on this page or in an official letter you received from the city and you do not understand them, you can try to look them up on our NYC Violation Codes HUB page with the search tool.
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