DOB violations issued for serious conditions may result in a Criminal Court summons being issued and prosecution
The Department of Buildings (DOB) issues violations to building owners and contractors if inspectors find conditions that do not comply with New York City’s Construction Codes or Zoning Resolutions. All violations issued are public information and can be viewed online on the Buildings Information System (BIS). These violations also appear in property title searches.
Open violations can prevent an owner from selling or refinancing. The Department will not issue new or amended Certificates of Occupancy or Letters of Completion when DOB violations remain active.
Some violations that are issued do not require you to appear at an ECB hearing, but they may have fines you have to pay. The DOB calls these types of violations a “Department of Buildings violation” or a “DOB violation.”
You must resolve DOB violations quickly because some may accrue interest over time, which can substantially add to the total fine you have to pay.
Resolving DOB Violations
You must correct the violations listed on a DOB violation. Once the work correcting the violations is completed, you must provide supporting documentation to the DOB to prove you have corrected them. Requirements vary according to the type of DOB violation.