NYC DOB violations: A 2026/2027 guide

What are NYC DOB violations?

NYC DOB violations are notices from the New York City Department of Buildings that a property may be out of compliance with the Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution, or other building-related laws. They appear on the property’s public DOB profile and usually remain open until they are dismissed or corrected through the required process.
 

Common NYC DOB violations

Common NYC DOB violations include:

• Work without a permit: Construction, demolition, plumbing, electrical, or alteration work performed without the required DOB permits.
   
• Illegal conversions: Creating or using apartments, rooms, cellar spaces, or other areas in a way that is not allowed by the building’s legal use or Certificate of Occupancy.
   
• Failure to maintain the building: Unsafe or deteriorated conditions such as damaged exterior walls, loose masonry, structural issues, or unsafe common areas.
   
• Elevator violations: Missed inspection filings, unsafe elevator conditions, expired permits, or failure to correct elevator-related defects.
   
• Boiler violations: Missed annual boiler inspection reports, unsafe boiler conditions, or failure to correct boiler-related defects.
   
• Facade or exterior wall violations: Failure to file required facade inspection reports, unsafe facade conditions, or failure to correct exterior wall defects.
   
• Stop Work Order violations: Continuing work after DOB has issued a Stop Work Order or failing to correct the condition that led to the order.
   
• Construction site safety violations: Missing safeguards, unsafe scaffolding, improper sidewalk sheds, inadequate site protection, or unsafe work practices.
   
• Zoning violations: Using a building or space in a way that conflicts with zoning rules, occupancy limits, or approved plans.
   
• Failure to file required documents: Missing required reports, certifications, permits, or Certificates of Correction after a violation has been issued.

OATH hearings

OATH is the NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, the city tribunal that hears many DOB summons cases. If DOB issues an OATH summons, the owner or respondent may need to attend a hearing, admit the violation and pay the penalty, or follow another allowed resolution process. Missing the hearing can lead to a default decision and higher penalties.
 

Class 1 vs. Class 2 vs. Class 3 violations

DOB OATH summonses are grouped by severity:

• Class 1: Immediately hazardous
  These are the most serious violations and must be corrected immediately. Examples may include serious illegal conversions, unsafe construction conditions, or continuing work after a Stop Work Order.
   
• Class 2: Major
  These involve conditions that affect life, health, safety, property, or the public interest, but are not immediately hazardous. Examples may include certain illegal occupancy, missing job site documents, or failure to file a Certificate of Correction.
   
• Class 3: Lesser
  These are lower-severity violations that can still carry fines and remain on the building record until resolved. Examples may include certain record, paperwork, posting, filing, or administrative issues.

How NYC DOB violations are resolved

To resolve many DOB-issued OATH summonses, the owner must correct the condition and submit a Certificate of Correction to DOB’s Administrative Enforcement Unit. DOB says a violation remains open on the property profile until it is either dismissed at an OATH hearing or resolved through the Certificate of Correction review process. Any applicable DOB civil penalties must also be paid or waived.
 

NYC DOB fines and penalties

NYC DOB penalty amounts vary by the specific violation, but the main things to know are:

• Class 1 violations: These usually carry the highest penalties. For example, unlawfully continuing work after a Stop Work Order carries a $10,000 standard penalty and a $25,000 default penalty. Certain illegal conversion or improper use violations can also carry penalties of $5,000, $15,000, or $25,000, depending on the charge and penalty level.
   
• Class 2 violations: These are usually lower than Class 1 penalties but can still be costly. For example, failure to file a required Certificate of Correction currently carries a $1,250 standard penalty and a $6,250 default penalty.
   
• Class 3 violations: These are generally lower-level penalties, but the amount still depends on the specific charge. Some Class 3 violations carry set fines, while others may depend on the condition cited in DOB’s penalty schedule.
   
• Missing the OATH hearing: If you miss the OATH hearing, you may be found in violation by default, and the penalty may be much higher than the standard amount.

Learn more by viewing the DOB penalty schedule here.
 

How to search for NYC DOB violations

Owners, boards, buyers, residents, and managers can search a property’s public DOB record through the Buildings Information System and the DOB NOW Public Portal, depending on the violation type.
 

Tips for boards and building owners

1. Check your DOB records before there is a problem

   A regular review of your building’s DOB profile can help you catch open violations early. This is especially important before major projects, refinancing, sales, or annual planning. Staying ahead of the record gives boards and owners more time to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting under pressure.
    

2. Keep one clear violation tracker

   DOB issues are easier to manage when everyone is working from the same information. Keep one shared tracker that shows the status of each violation, the next step, the person responsible, and the proof already submitted. FirstService Residential’s in-house Compliance Department helps NYC condos, co-ops, and multifamily rental buildings track requirements, monitor local law updates, resolve violations, and reduce the risk of missed deadlines. With tools like InCheck by SiteCompli, our teams can help managers organize building-wide compliance information and keep boards and owners better informed.
    

3. Treat hazardous conditions with urgency

   Class 1 violations are considered immediately hazardous, so safety should come first. The priority is to protect residents, staff, visitors, and the public, then move quickly to correct the condition. After the work is done, the building team still needs to submit the proper paperwork so the record can be closed.
    

4. Save documentation as the work happens

   A correction is much easier to prove when records are organized from the beginning. Keep photos, invoices, permits, inspection results, professional sign-offs, and other proof together in one place.
    

5. Keep residents informed in plain language

   Residents do not need every technical detail, but they do need to know what affects daily life. Clear updates about access, noise, safety, elevators, heat, hot water, or expected timing can help you comply with NYC tenant rights and build trust.

About FirstService Residential

FirstService Residential supports New York City boards and owners with local expertise and dedicated service. Our teams assist with communication, rent collection, maintenance coordination, compliance and certifications, financial management, and 24/7 customer care, all designed to simplify life for board members and residents alike.

To learn how FirstService Residential can support your association, contact our team today.

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal, regulatory, financial, or operational advice, or as a representation or guarantee of any specific services, capabilities, or outcomes. Property management needs, regulatory requirements, market conditions, and available services vary by jurisdiction, property type, and community. FirstService Residential provides services through locally based affiliates and associates, and services and results may vary by community, region, contractual terms, and applicable law.