Everything You Need to Know About NYC Building Violations & How to Look Them Up

If you’re buying, selling or managing property in NYC, one of the most important steps before closing any deal  is looking up building violations. Knowing how to find and assess building violations in NYC is essential for anyone who wants to avoid costly surprises, from investors and developers to tenants. 

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about building violations: What they are, how they’re categorized, which agencies issue them and how you can quickly look up DOB violations by address, using tools like PropertyShark. 

What Exactly Is a DOB Violation? 

A DOB violation is a notice issued by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) when a property is found to be out of compliance with local building codes, zoning regulations or safety standards. Violations are typically issued after an inspection and may involve structural issues, permit infractions or safety hazards. 

These violations are recorded in the city’s database and may remain open until the issue is corrected and officially resolved. 

Classes of DOB Violations: What Do They Mean? 

In NYC, there are over 25 different DOB violations, ranging from construction, plumbing and electrical to zoning violations and working without permits. The Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) summons that typically come from these violations are categorized into three classes, each indicating a different level of severity and urgency: 

Class 1: Immediately Hazardous Violations 

•  Serious issues that pose an immediate threat to life, health or safety. Examples include illegal gas line installations or unstable structures. 

• Must be corrected immediately. 

• Often accompanied by hefty fines and OATH/ECB summonses. 

Class 2: Major Violations 

• Serious but not immediately life-threatening issues, such as unauthorized work or inadequate fire exits. 

• Must be corrected within a specific time frame. 

• Penalties may apply if not resolved. 

Class 3: Lesser Violations 

• Minor infractions like signage issues or administrative oversights. 

• Usually don’t carry significant fines but must still be corrected. 

Generally, the class of an issued violation class will determine how urgent and costly the remediation may be. 

Essential Differences: DOB Violations, OATH Summonses &  ECB Violations 

It’s important to distinguish between different types of notices that may be tied to a building: 

• DOB Violations: Issued and logged by the Department of Buildings . These can relate to zoning, construction, permits and other . 

• OATH Summonses : A legal notice requiring the respondent to appear at a hearing with the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. Formerly known as ECB Violations, these are often tied to a DOB violation. 

• ECB Violations: Older name of OATH summonses, these two terms arestill used interchangeably. 

Essentially, a DOB violation may trigger an OATH summons (formerly known as an ECB Violation), which must be resolved through the city’s administrative court system. 

What Are the Most Common Types of Building Violations in NYC? 

Some violations are more frequent than others. Here are the most common ones: 

• Facade deterioration: Buildings over six stories must undergo periodic inspections under Local Law 11, and unsafe exterior conditions often trigger violations. 

• Unpermitted work: Projects done without a DOB-issued permit (structural, electrical, plumbing etc.) are frequently cited. 

• Unsafe or noncompliant wiring / plumbing: Electrical or plumbing work done improperly or outside code requirements is commonly flagged. 

• Missing or expired permits: Violations also arise when required permits are absent, expired or not properly displayed during work. 

• Blocked egress / obstructed fire exits: Violations related to obstructed means of exit or improperly maintained pathways are enforced to ensure safety. 

Which NYC Agencies Issue Building Violations? 

While DOB is the primary agency enforcing building and code violations, several other city departments also issue violations in related domains: 

Housing Preservation & Development (HPD): Emits housing condition violations under the Housing Maintenance Code, such as lack of heat or hot water, mold, pests and structural hazards.  

New York City Fire Department (FDNY): Enforces fire code violations, such as faulty fire protection systems, blocked exits or missing fire safety signs.  

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP): Handles environmental and public health violations, including noise code enforcement, asbestos regulation, water/sewer infrastructure compliance and environmental controls.  

Note: This is not a complete list and agencies like the DOT, DOH and others also issue violations depending on their regulatory domain. 

How to Look Up Building Violations in NYC Step-by-Step 

The fastest and easiest way to look up building violations online just by address is by looking them up on PropertyShark. Here’s how: 

1. Go to PropertyShark.com 

Create a free account or log in to begin your search. 

2. Enter the Property Address 

Use the search bar at the top of the page to look up a property by address, block/lot or parcel ID. 

3. Go to the Violations Section 

Once you’re in the property report, scroll to the Violations tab. Here, you’ll find: 

• Open and closed DOB violations 

• Dates, plus violation types and classes 

• Links to OATH/ECB summonses 

• Related documents and their status 

PropertyShark’s building violations lookup saves you from having to bounce between multiple city websites and provides a consolidated view of building compliance history. 

Do DOB Violations Affect Property Values or Sales? 

Yes, open DOB violations can significantly affect property transactions, title searches, and insurance eligibility. Here’s how: 

• Title searches: Open violations may delay or block a real estate closing. 

• Insurance: Some providers won’t underwrite properties with unresolved hazards. 

• Property value: Violations can decrease buyer interest or result in lower valuations. 

• Refinancing obstacles: Lenders may require that all open DOB violations are resolved before approving refinancing. 

Why Researching Building Violations Matters 

Knowing how to look up building violations in NYC is a must for anyone involved in the local real estate market: From identifying DOB violations by address to checking the severity and legal status of cited issues, it’s essential to do your due diligence. Free tools exist, but platforms like PropertyShark make it faster and easier to look up DOB violations online, especially in a market where timing and accuracy are critical. 

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About PropertyShark

PropertyShark is an online real estate database and property research tool that provides building details, ownership information, comparable sales and foreclosure data. Founded in 2003, PropertyShark serves real estate professionals and consumers in New York and other major U.S. markets.

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