Violation – Official Notice for NYC Homeowners from Different City Agencies

In our Violation Codes Glossary, a violation is the basic term that connects many specific code, notice, and enforcement entries. For NYC homeowners, a violation is an official notice that a condition, installation, use of space, or type of work on a property may not meet rules enforced by a city agency.

In a DOB* context, a violation usually means that an inspector* or DOB review identified a problem involving construction, permits, occupancy, safety, or building conditions. Depending on the notice, the owner or another responsible party may need to correct the condition, submit proof of correction, attend a hearing, obtain permits, or resolve a separate penalty.

Important information

A DOB violation usually “attaches” to the property, not the person. The current owner may still need to address an open condition even when the work or problem was created by a previous owner many years ago. Responsibility for a specific summons, civil penalty, or enforcement case can depend on the notice and its case history.

An open DOB violation can remain in a property’s public record until DOB accepts the required correction. It may affect future DOB filings, permits, construction work, sales, refinancing, or documents such as a Certificate of Occupancy.

Common DOB-related topics include boiler, electrical, plumbing, sidewalk, construction, occupancy, building-code, and structural issues. These basic ideas help you understand many other entries in our Violation Codes Glossary.

Before You Take the Next Step

Do not rely only on the word “violation.” First, read the notice and identify the city agency that issued it. A DOB violation, an OATH* summons, an HPD violation, and a civil penalty may be related, but they are not always the same record and may not be resolved through the same process.

• Identify the issuing agency, such as DOB, HPD, FDNY, DEP, or another NYC agency.
• Save the violation, notice, complaint, or summons number.
• Read the cited condition and the location on the property.
• Look for a correction deadline, cure date, hearing date, inspection requirement, or Stop Work Order.
• Do not assume that paying a penalty automatically removes an open property-record violation.

Some matters can involve additional penalties or enforcement when deadlines are missed. The exact requirement depends on the agency, the type of notice, and the condition cited on the property.

How to Check DOB Violations on a Property Yourself

You can check many Department of Buildings (DOB) records for a property you own or plan to buy. For older and legacy records, start with the Buildings Information System (BIS*). For DOB NOW records, also check the DOB NOW Public Portal.

• Go to the Buildings Information System (BIS*).
• Search for the property and open the Property Profile Overview.
• Review the violations section to see available records, open items, and related details.
• Check the DOB NOW Public Portal when you need DOB NOW information.

If the available online record does not answer your question, you may request copies or additional records from DOB. Fees and procedures can change, so confirm current information before making a request. You may also submit a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request through NYC OpenRecords.

HPD Violations Are Different From DOB Violations

DOB violations commonly involve construction, permits, occupancy, and building safety. HPD* violations commonly involve apartment and housing-maintenance conditions, such as heat, hot water, pests, leaks, mold, window guards, or lead-based paint. A property can have both DOB and HPD records, but each agency uses its own notices, deadlines, and correction process.

The correction timeframe for an HPD violation is shown on the Notice of Violation. The following examples are general HPD timeframes and do not apply to DOB correction deadlines:

• 90 days for Class A non-hazardous violations.
• 30 days for Class B hazardous violations.
• 21 days for certain Class C immediately hazardous conditions, including lead-based paint, window guards, mold, and pest conditions.
• 14 days for Class C self-closing door violations.
• No correction time for Class C heat and hot-water violations; owners must act immediately.
• 24 hours for other Class C immediately hazardous violations.

Note: Always read the deadline stated on your own HPD notice. These timeframes apply to HPD, not DOB, OATH, FDNY, DEP, or another agency’s correction process.

Common Types of DOB-Related Violations

The topics below are common examples of DOB-related problems. They are not a complete list, and the correct next step always depends on the notice, the cited condition, and the agency involved.

NEXT STEP

How to Correct DOB Violations on a Property Yourself

A Step-by-Step Guide to Resolving DOB Violations

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Related Entries

• Class of Violation*
• BIS*
• Failure to Comply*
• Illegal Basement*
• Notice of Violation*