Code: Civil Penalty (DOB financial penalty)
Description: (Civil Penalty) is money that the NYC Department of Buildings may require a person or business to pay for breaking a building, zoning, or related rule. It is a financial penalty and is not the same as fixing the violation.
Practical Meaning: You may need to pay a civil penalty after a DOB violation, including work done without a required permit. Payment alone may not close the case; you may also need permits, corrective work, a Certificate of Correction, or other DOB approval.
Where You May See It: You may see this term on a DOB Notice of Violation, an OATH summons, a DOB NOW: Build filing, an L2 Civil Penalty Review request, a DOB fee assessment, or a property due-diligence report.
Why It Matters: Civil penalties can add significant cost and may increase while certain violations remain uncorrected. An open penalty or unresolved violation can delay permits, correction approval, refinancing, sale, or other property transactions.
Source: DOB Civil Penalty Information