Code: SWO (official acronym)
Description: (Stop Work Order). It is an order that tells a person or contractor to stop work on a property right away.
Practical Meaning: For NYC homeowners, an SWO means all affected work must stop until the problem is corrected and the order is lifted. If work continues anyway, the owner can face more penalties.
Where You May See It: On a Department of Buildings notice, at a construction site, in a violation record, or in a DOB enforcement case.
Why It Matters: An SWO can delay a project, increase costs, and lead to more fines if ignored. It is important because it usually means the work has a serious code or safety issue.
Source: NYC DOB Stop Work Orders