Violation FAQ

Go to ClerkSide.com and enter the property's house number, street name, and borough. The system searches NYC building records in real time and returns violations from the DOB, HPD, OATH, DOT, and other agencies.

A DOB (Department of Buildings) safety violation is issued by a DOB inspector when a building or construction site does not comply with the NYC Construction Codes. Violations are classified as Class 1 (immediately hazardous, 24-hour correction), Class 2 (major, 30-day correction), or Class 3 (lesser, 40-day correction). DOB violations must be corrected and certified; uncorrected violations can block permit approvals.

An HPD (Housing Preservation & Development) violation is issued when a residential building fails to meet the NYC Housing Maintenance Code. Common HPD violations include lack of heat or hot water, mold, rodent infestation, lead paint, and broken windows. Violations are Class A (non-hazardous, 90 days), Class B (hazardous, 30 days), or Class C (immediately hazardous, 24 hours). Tenants can trigger HPD inspections by calling 311.

An ECB (Environmental Control Board) violation is a notice of violation that carries a monetary fine. ECB violations from the DOB, FDNY, DEP, and other agencies are now processed through OATH (Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings). To pay an ECB fine, visit nyc.gov/oath, search by ticket number or address, and pay online by credit card or e-check. Unpaid fines accrue interest and can become liens on the property.

BBL stands for Borough-Block-Lot — a unique 10-digit identifier for every NYC property. Enter the BBL in the search bar at ClerkSide.com (select 'BBL/BIN search'). Alternatively, you can search by address and the system will resolve the BBL automatically. BBLs start with a borough code: 1=Manhattan, 2=Bronx, 3=Brooklyn, 4=Queens, 5=Staten Island.

BIN stands for Building Identification Number — a unique identifier for each structure (as distinct from a lot). While a BBL identifies a tax lot, one lot can contain multiple buildings each with its own BIN. BINs are used primarily by the DOB for tracking permits, violations, and inspections at the building level. ClerkSide displays BIN alongside BBL in each property report.

Unresolved violations have escalating consequences: (1) ECB fines grow with daily interest; (2) unpaid fines become property liens; (3) DOB may refuse new permit applications; (4) real estate closings can be blocked or delayed; (5) HPD may make emergency repairs and bill the owner; (6) courts can impose civil penalties; (7) in severe cases, a vacate order may be issued. Addressing violations promptly is always less costly than waiting.

Yes. For ECB/OATH violations, request a hearing within 30 days of the violation date — violations with good-faith errors are often dismissed or reduced with documentation. For DOB safety violations, you can request reconsideration if the violation was issued in error. For HPD violations, if conditions have been corrected, certify the correction through HPD Online. Always retain photos, invoices, and contractor affidavits as evidence.

DOB violations remain on record until properly corrected and a Certificate of Correction is filed and approved. HPD violations remain open until the owner certifies the correction and HPD accepts or verifies it. ECB violations remain on OATH records indefinitely, but satisfied judgments are noted as paid. Even closed violations remain visible in public records — they do not disappear from the history.

The AEP is an HPD program that targets the 200 most distressed residential buildings in NYC each year. Properties with the highest ratio of HPD violations to units are enrolled. AEP buildings receive intensive inspections, and landlords face higher civil penalties and more aggressive enforcement. Being placed in AEP significantly increases the urgency and cost of resolving outstanding HPD violations.

Yes. Open DOB violations with unpaid ECB fines can become liens that must be satisfied before closing. Title companies search for open violations and liens, and a buyer's attorney will flag unresolved issues. For co-op and condo transactions, buildings with many HPD violations may face financing restrictions. Resolving violations before listing a property is strongly recommended.

BIS (Buildings Information System) is the older DOB online portal for looking up building records, permits, and violations. DOB NOW is the newer platform used for filing permits, certificates of correction, and other transactions. Both are publicly accessible. For the most current violation information, ClerkSide pulls from the underlying NYC building record feeds that both systems use.

FISP (Facade Inspection Safety Program), also known as Local Law 11/98, requires owners of buildings taller than 6 stories to have their exterior walls and appurtenances inspected by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) every 5 years. Buildings with unsafe or SWARMP (Safe With A Repair and Maintenance Program) conditions must correct those conditions within the inspection cycle. Failure to file or correct conditions results in DOB violations and can require the installation of a sidewalk shed.

To clear a DOT sidewalk violation, hire a DOT-approved contractor to repair the flagged sidewalk to city specifications. After repair, the contractor files a Notice of Completion with DOT. DOT will inspect the work; if satisfactory, the violation is closed. Property owners are responsible for the sidewalks adjacent to their property under NYC Administrative Code §7-210.

ClerkSide covers all five NYC boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Violation data is sourced from NYC-wide building record datasets so every address in any borough is searchable. Borough-specific guides are available at clerkside.com/boroughs/manhattan, /brooklyn, /queens, /bronx, and /staten-island.