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 that immediately stops construction or repair work at a property.
It is issued when DOB inspectors find unsafe conditions, illegal work, or work that could be dangerous to people or property. The order is meant to protect workers, residents, pedestrians, and neighboring buildings until the unsafe or illegal conditions are corrected.
- Active full SWO – all work must stop at the site
- Active partial SWO – only specific work is stopped; other approved work may continue.
- Rescinded SWO – DOB lifted the Stop Work Order after required corrections and inspections
How to handle Stop Work Orders in NYC
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More information: Stop Work Order – what does it mean to you?.
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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 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.
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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