NYC Building Violations FAQ

There are three main violation systems: DOB violations (building code compliance, Classes 1-3), HPD violations (residential maintenance, Classes A-C), and ECB/OATH violations (administrative tribunal that adjudicates violations from multiple agencies). Each system has different severity levels and penalties.

Class 1: Immediately Hazardous (up to $25,000, must correct immediately). Class 2: Major violations (up to $10,000). Class 3: Non-hazardous (up to $500). Many DOB violations are referred to ECB/OATH for adjudication.

Class A: Non-hazardous (minor maintenance, 90 days to correct). Class B: Hazardous (health/safety concerns like pests or broken windows, 30 days). Class C: Immediately Hazardous (no heat, no water, lead paint, 24 hours to correct).

ECB (Environmental Control Board, now part of OATH) is the administrative tribunal that adjudicates violations from DOB, FDNY, DEP, DSNY, and other agencies. ECB conducts hearings, imposes fines, and can docket unpaid fines as judgment liens against the property.

Yes. Unpaid ECB fines can be docketed as judgment liens against the property — not just the owner. These liens appear on title searches, must be satisfied before clean title transfer, and can accumulate to significant amounts on neglected properties.

Violations can delay closings, trigger insurance issues, affect financing approvals, and indicate deferred maintenance. ECB liens must be cleared at closing. Banks may require remediation of open violations before approving mortgages.

Enter any NYC address into RegWatch to see all DOB, HPD, and ECB violations in a unified view. RegWatch searches multiple city databases simultaneously and cross-references violations with permits and other records.

Ignoring DOB violations leads to ECB hearings, escalating fines, potential Stop Work Orders, and building vacate orders for hazardous conditions. Unpaid ECB fines become judgment liens. Class 1 violations require immediate correction.

A Stop Work Order halts all construction activity at a property. SWOs are issued for work without permit, unsafe conditions, or failure to correct violations. Continuing work under an SWO results in additional violations and criminal penalties. SWOs can cost developers thousands per day in carrying costs.

A Vacate Order requires all occupants to leave a building due to dangerous conditions. DOB and FDNY can issue vacate orders. Re-occupancy requires correction of the hazardous condition and DOB/FDNY re-inspection.

HPD violations are typically triggered by tenant complaints filed through 311 or directly with HPD. An inspector visits the property and issues violations for any observed conditions. Some violations result from proactive inspection programs like the Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP).

AEP targets the worst buildings in NYC — those with the most HPD violations. Buildings in AEP face additional fees, mandatory inspections, and heightened enforcement. Landlords must create and follow repair plans or face fines and potential receivership.

DOB violations can be contested at ECB hearings. HPD violations can be certified as corrected after the condition is fixed and re-inspected. ECB default judgments can be vacated by requesting a new hearing with a reasonable excuse and meritorious defense.

Immediately hazardous violations require correction within 24 hours (HPD Class C) or immediately (DOB Class 1). Examples include structural instability, no heat/hot water, lead paint hazards, and blocked fire exits. Failure to correct can result in emergency repairs, vacate orders, or Stop Work Orders.

Insurance carriers review violation history during underwriting. Properties with significant fire code (FDNY) violations or structural (DOB) violations may face higher premiums or coverage denial. Some carriers specifically exclude properties with open Class 1 violations.

The Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP, formerly LL11) requires buildings over 6 stories to have their facades inspected every 5 years. Violations are issued for failure to file reports, unsafe facade conditions, or failure to perform required repairs. FISP violations carry fines up to $1,000 per month.

Yes. RegWatch updates violation data multiple times daily and portfolio monitoring alerts you to new violations on any property you track. This lets you respond before penalties escalate.