If you see SWO in your notice, it means Stop Work Order
SWO means Stop Work Order, issued by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). It is an enforcement action requiring the work identified by DOB to stop immediately.
DOB may issue a Stop Work Order when inspectors find unsafe conditions, illegal work, or work that could endanger people or property. The order helps protect workers, residents, pedestrians, and neighboring buildings until the conditions identified by DOB are addressed.
- Active full SWO – all work must stop at the site, except work DOB authorizes to make the site safe.
- Active partial SWO – only the work or area identified by DOB must stop; other approved work may continue.
- Rescinded SWO – DOB has lifted the Stop Work Order after the conditions required for rescission were addressed.
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More information in our blog section: What happens after DOB issues a Stop Work Order?
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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 does not replace advice from a licensed professional. NYC construction and safety requirements can change, and a project may have additional DOB*, zoning, floodplain, utility, or local requirements. Before starting work, verify current requirements with a New York State licensed design professional or directly with the NYC Department of Buildings.
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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