NYC Building Violations Explained
When a Department of Buildings inspector finds a problem at a NYC building, they issue a violation. Violations can affect property sales, mortgage approvals, and — for tenants — safety. Here's what the different types mean and how to look them up.
DOB vs. ECB Violations
There are two parallel violation systems in NYC, which confuses almost everyone:
| Type | Issued by | Effect | How resolved |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOB Violation | Department of Buildings | Appears on the building's record; creates a "flag" that can block certificate of occupancy | Correct the condition, file a certificate of correction with DOB |
| ECB Violation | Environmental Control Board (now part of OATH) | A civil penalty (fine) in addition to the DOB violation; default judgment if ignored | Pay the fine or contest at an OATH hearing |
A single inspection event can generate both a DOB violation (the defect) and an ECB violation (the fine). They have different case numbers and are resolved independently.
Violation Classes
DOB classifies violations by severity:
Poses imminent danger to life. Examples: no heat in winter, structural instability, blocked fire exit, gas leak. Correction is required within 24 hours.
Not immediately dangerous but poses significant risk if uncorrected. Examples: faulty wiring, deteriorated facade elements, broken elevator safety features. Correction required within 30 days.
Administrative or technical violations. Examples: lack of signage, minor code discrepancies, record-keeping issues. Correction required within 90 days.
Common Violation Types
| Code | Description | Common in |
|---|---|---|
| LL11 | Local Law 11 (façade inspection) — exterior wall defect | Pre-war residential and commercial |
| LL97 | Local Law 97 (carbon emissions) — building exceeds emissions cap | Large buildings post-2024 |
| ALT1 | Work done without permit (alteration) | Any building type |
| HAZMAT | Hazardous materials (asbestos, lead) — abatement required | Pre-1980 buildings |
| ELEC | Electrical code violation | Any building type |
| PLMB | Plumbing code violation | Residential |
| STRUC | Structural integrity concern | Any building type |
Violation Status
Every violation has a disposition that tells you its current state:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| OPEN | Not yet resolved — the condition has not been corrected and/or the paperwork has not been filed. This is the status that matters for buyers and lenders. |
| RESOLVE | Resolved — owner filed a certificate of correction and DOB accepted it. The underlying defect may still exist in the building's history. |
| DISMISS | Dismissed — violation was found to be issued in error, or the condition was corrected before the violation was formally recorded. |
| DEFAULT | Owner failed to respond to ECB notice; a default judgment was entered and penalty increased. |
Why Violations Matter for Buyers
Open violations are tied to the property, not the owner. When a building sells, the buyer inherits responsibility for correcting open violations. A high count of open Class 1 or 2 violations is a negotiating point and a due-diligence flag.
Lenders — especially for FHA and VA loans — often require all Class 1 violations to be resolved before closing. In co-op purchases, the board frequently requires a clean DOB record.
How to Look Up Violations
You need the building's BIN to look up DOB violations (see: What is a BIN?). You can find the BIN by searching any address on this site. The
violations are sourced directly from NYC Open Data (DOB ECB
Violations dataset, wvxf-dwi5) and are updated within
24 hours of DOB's system.
Look up open violations for any NYC building:
Search Lotlyze