Notice of Violation (NOV). What You Need to Know
A Notice of Violation (NOV*) is an official document sent by a New York City agency—most often the Department of Buildings (DOB*)—to inform a property owner that something on their property might not follow local building or safety codes. The notice will explain what rule was broken, provide some details about the issue, and outline how to fix it. You are not being charged with a crime, but the city expects you to take action.
It is crucial to act quickly. After receiving an NOV, it is usually a good idea to speak with a licensed professional, such as an architect or contractor, who can review the issue and suggest the safest, code‑compliant solution. Once everything is corrected, you must submit a Certificate of Correction to the city to show the problem has been fixed and to stop fines from going up. For serious violations, penalties can reach as high as $25,000 if you wait too long.
NOVs are time-sensitive. If you are not sure what to do next, you do not have to handle it alone. You can contact us with your NOV questions through our contact page, and we will help you understand your options.
Related terms
- NYC DOB
- Department of Building
- Certificate of Correction
- inspection
- local building code
- llicensed professional
Notice of Violation form explanation
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