Complaint Process Explanation
A DOB* complaint is a report to the City about possible unsafe or illegal building conditions, construction, or building use.
Owner not notified!
DOB usually does not notify you when a complaint is filed. In most cases, the first sign is an inspector at the door.
If someone filed a complaint about your property, here is what happens next.
The process – how the complaint works:
The most common complaint types homeowners face: Illegal apartment (basement or attic), Construction without a permit, After-hours construction noise.
- Somebody (often a neighbor, tenant, or passerby) calls 311 or uses the 311 app or website to file a complaint.
- The complaint is logged in the DOB system and given a complaint number.
- DOB may send an inspector to the property to check the conditions. Emergency complaint → inspector comes within 24 hours, Standard complaint → inspector comes in 7 to 14 days.
If the inspector finds a problem, the DOB may issue a violation or take other enforcement action.
What to do if you received a complaint
- Check BIS* (a810-bisweb.nyc.gov) for details
- Cooperate with the inspector — do not refuse access
- Fix the issue within the cure period to avoid higher fines
Related terms
Some glossary entries use an asterisk * at the end of the term (for example, violation*). This mark is only a technical tool to stop the system from creating too many automatic links on the website. It does not change the meaning of the term.
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Revised Jan 29, 2026