Search Every NYC Building Violation System Before You Pay, Buy or Correct
There is no single NYC database that shows every building-related violation. Older DOB records may appear in BIS, newer filings appear in DOB NOW, court summonses and judgments use OATH or CityPay, and housing-maintenance violations appear in HPD Online.
This guide shows which official search to open, how to read the result and how to separate payment, correction, hearing and Certificate of Correction requirements.
Choose the NYC Record You Need to Find
Which Search Should You Open First?
Open more than one system when checking a property transaction or old violation.
I only have the street address
Start with DOB NOW and BIS. Record the borough, block, lot and BIN shown in the property profile, then repeat the search using those identifiers.
I have an ECB or OATH ticket number
Use CityPay’s OATH ticket search. Also search BIS to see whether the summons remains open on the property profile.
I am checking an apartment complaint
Use HPD Online for heat, hot water, lead, mold, pests, doors, maintenance conditions, Housing Court violations and HPD orders.
I paid but the violation still appears open
Payment satisfies the monetary obligation only. Determine whether DOB, AEU or HPD also requires a Certificate of Correction, eCertification or proof submitted to the issuing unit.
I am buying or refinancing
Search DOB NOW, BIS, OATH/CityPay and HPD Online. Compare the results with the Certificate of Occupancy, open jobs, permits, complaints, Stop Work Orders and vacate information.
I found a DOB violation with little detail
Contact the issuing DOB unit. DOB states that a copy may be requested for $8, with additional duplicate copies at $5 each. NYC OpenRecords is another official route.
I missed the OATH hearing
Review the default decision immediately. OATH currently allows one request to reopen each default summons, subject to its rules. Requests received within 75 days of the missed hearing date are generally granted.
The condition may be dangerous now
Call 911 for an immediate emergency. Report unsafe construction or illegal building use through NYC311. Do not wait for a database status to change before protecting occupants or the public.
NYC Violation Databases Do Different Jobs
Official system |
Best used for |
Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
DOB NOW Public Portal |
DOB NOW jobs, permits, Certificates of Occupancy, compliance filings and newer safety violations |
Not every historical DOB or OATH record is stored here |
BIS |
Older jobs, permits, complaints, DOB violations, OATH/ECB records, inspections and property actions |
DOB NOW filings may not appear in BIS |
OATH / CityPay |
Summons hearing status, defaults, penalties, judgments and payment |
Payment does not certify correction with DOB |
HPD Online |
Housing-maintenance complaints, apartment violations, property registration, charges and vacate orders |
HPD records are separate from DOB construction records |
Unpaid DOB Violations |
Selected unpaid DOB civil penalties by building |
Does not include OATH summonses and may exclude older or other categories |
NYC311 |
Reporting illegal or unsafe construction and tracking the Service Request |
A complaint is not automatically a violation |
Search NYC DOB Violations in BIS
Open the BIS property search
No account is required to use the public Buildings Information System.
Select the borough
Choose Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens or Staten Island before entering the address.
Enter the house number and street
Use the legal property address. Start with the base building address rather than an apartment or suite.
Open the Property Profile Overview
Confirm that the borough, block, lot and BIN match the intended property.
Open Violations-DOB and OATH/ECB records
Review the violation number, category, issue date, disposition and related job or complaint information.
Check complaints, jobs and actions
Open complaints, jobs/filings, permits, inspections and property actions to understand why the violation was issued.
Save the identifying numbers
Record the violation number, summons number, BIN, BBL, job number, hearing date and issuing unit.
Search Violations in the DOB NOW Public Portal
Open the Public Portal
The public search does not require a DOB NOW login.
Choose Address or Violations
Search by property address, borough/block/lot, BIN, job number or other available record identifier.
Confirm the Property Profile
Match the address, borough, block, lot and BIN before relying on the results.
Open the violations and compliance records
Review the violation category, status, filing period, civil-penalty information and related compliance filing.
Review jobs, permits and Certificates of Occupancy
A related job may show whether corrective work has been filed, permitted, inspected or signed off.
Repeat the search in BIS
DOB NOW does not replace the need to search older BIS records while the systems continue operating together.
Use the Strongest Property Identifier Available
Search the Hearing, Fine and Judgment Separately
Class 1
Immediately Hazardous
Correct the condition immediately and submit a Certificate of Correction to DOB.
Class 2
Major
Read the summons for its hearing date, cure eligibility and correction requirements.
Class 3
Lesser
These summonses are generally eligible for cure when the stated requirements and deadline are met.
Search and payment
Use CityPay to search:
- By ticket number
- By respondent name and address
- By nine-digit OATH ID for docketed judgments
Missed hearing or default
A missed hearing can produce a default decision and a higher penalty.
OATH allows one reopening request per default summons, subject to its rules. Requests received within 75 days of the missed hearing are generally granted.
Use HPD Online for Apartment and Residential Building Violations
Open Complaints and Violations
Review the apartment number, reported condition, inspection result, violation class and status.
Check orders and vacate information
HPD Online may also show Orders to Repair, Orders to Repair/Vacate, charges, litigation and property-registration information.
Identify the hazard class
Use the violation notice—not a general internet summary—to confirm the certification deadline and required repair.
Use eCertification when eligible
Enrolled owners and agents can certify eligible HPD violations electronically.
HPD class |
Meaning |
Action level |
|---|---|---|
Class A |
Non-hazardous |
Repair and certify within the period shown on the violation notice |
Class B |
Hazardous |
Prioritize repair and follow HPD certification requirements |
Class C |
Immediately hazardous |
Correct promptly; special deadlines apply to conditions such as heat, lead, mold, pests and self-closing doors |
Class I |
Orders to Repair or Repair/Vacate |
Read the order and obtain professional or legal guidance when needed |
A 311 Complaint Is Not Automatically a DOB Violation
Complaint
A complaint reports an alleged condition. DOB may inspect, close the complaint, issue a violation or take another enforcement action.
DOB violation
A Department violation remains on the property record until the condition is corrected, applicable penalties are paid and the issuing unit accepts the proof.
OATH summons
A summons creates a hearing or adjudication process and may include a monetary penalty, cure option, default or judgment.
What Common NYC Violation Statuses Mean
Capture These Details Before Taking Action
- Exact property address
- Borough
- Block and lot
- BIN
- DOB violation number
- OATH or ECB summons number
- Issue and service dates
- Hearing date
- Cure date when shown
- Violation class
- Respondent name
- Issuing unit
- Required remedy
- Related job or permit number
- Penalty and payment status
- Correction certification status
Resolve the Violation in the Correct Order
Identify the exact violation type
Determine whether the record is a DOB violation, OATH summons, HPD violation, compliance-filing violation, Stop Work Order or vacate action.
Read the stated remedy
The violation may require removal of illegal work, legalization through a DOB application, repairs, inspection, required filing or restoration to the prior legal condition.
Hire the correct professional
Illegal conversions, structural work, occupancy changes and work requiring plans may need a New York State Registered Architect, Professional Engineer and licensed contractor.
Obtain permits before corrective construction
A violation does not authorize repair or legalization work that otherwise requires DOB permits.
Handle the hearing and monetary obligation
Attend, contest, cure, admit or resolve the OATH case as allowed. Pay OATH fines and separate DOB civil penalties through the correct system.
Submit acceptable proof of correction
Proof may include permits, approved inspections, photographs, receipts, licensed-professional statements and other documents requested by DOB or HPD.
Verify the public record after approval
Recheck DOB NOW, BIS, CityPay and HPD Online. Save the correction approval, payment receipt and updated status.
Current DOB Process for an OATH Summons
Submit through DOB NOW: Safety
- Create or use an NYC.ID account.
- Log in to DOB NOW.
- Open DOB NOW: Safety.
- Select Violations & Notices of Deficiency.
- Select Certificate of Correction Review Request.
- Enter the summons number.
- Add the required people, statements and supporting documents.
Current form change
DOB states that the former AEU2, AEU20 and AEU3321 paper forms are no longer uploaded as the Certificate of Correction itself.
The required information is entered directly in the online request, with supporting documents attached where required.
Who Receives the Proof of Correction?
Record type |
Correction destination |
Payment destination |
|---|---|---|
DOB OATH summons |
DOB NOW: Safety Certificate of Correction request reviewed by AEU |
OATH/CityPay plus any separate DOB civil penalty |
DOB violation without OATH hearing |
The DOB unit that issued the violation |
Applicable DOB civil-penalty payment route |
Boiler, elevator, façade or compliance violation |
Relevant DOB NOW filing or specialized DOB unit |
DOB civil-penalty system or invoice |
HPD housing violation |
HPD eCertification or other HPD certification route |
HPD charge, court judgment or other stated payment route |
311 complaint only |
No certification unless an agency issues a violation or order |
No automatic payment obligation |
Check Both OATH Fines and DOB Civil Penalties
OATH / ECB fine
Search the summons or judgment in CityPay.
- Ticket number
- Name and address
- Nine-digit OATH ID
- Hearing or judgment status
- Amount due
DOB civil penalty
Use DOB’s unpaid civil-penalty search for selected compliance categories.
- Search by property address
- Search by BIN
- Confirm amount with DOB before payment
- Remember that OATH summonses are not included
NYC Property Violation Due-Diligence Checklist
Search every official record
- DOB NOW Public Portal
- BIS Property Profile
- DOB violations
- OATH/ECB summonses
- Unpaid DOB civil penalties
- HPD violations
- Complaints and Stop Work Orders
- Vacate orders
Compare the legal use
- Certificate of Occupancy
- Floor-use records
- Current apartment count
- Cellar or basement use
- Open alteration jobs
- Unfinished permits
- Temporary Certificates of Occupancy
- Letter of No Objection where applicable
Find the Certificate of Occupancy and Older DOB Documents
Certificate of Occupancy search
Requested before March 1, 2021: Search BIS by address and select View Certificates of Occupancy.
Requested on or after March 1, 2021: Search DOB NOW by address and select Certificate of Occupancy from the Property Profile.
Older plans and files
Use DOB NOW: BIS Options to request available folders, plans, microfilm, docket books, index or I-cards and curb-cut cards.
DOB also allows FOIL requests through NYC OpenRecords when the needed document cannot be obtained through the normal record-request process.
Ten NYC Violation Search Errors to Avoid
- Searching DOB NOW but not BIS.
- Searching BIS but not OATH or CityPay.
- Confusing a 311 complaint with an issued violation.
- Assuming “paid” means “corrected and closed.”
- Searching an apartment number instead of the base property address.
- Ignoring HPD violations during a residential property review.
- Correcting illegal work without obtaining required permits.
- Missing the OATH hearing or cure date.
- Submitting photographs without the permits or professional documents DOB requested.
- Failing to recheck the public status after correction approval.
What to Say When Contacting NYC Agencies
“I am researching DOB violation [number] at [address, borough, block, lot and BIN]. Please identify the issuing unit, required remedy, civil penalties and proof needed to close the record.”
“Summons [number] shows status [status]. Please confirm the hearing or judgment status, amount due and whether a reopening, rescheduling or payment action is available.”
“The violating condition for summons [number] was corrected through [permit/job number]. Which supporting documents are required for the DOB NOW: Safety Certificate of Correction request?”
“Please confirm whether the active records at [address] can affect a Certificate of Occupancy, Letter of Completion, permit sign-off, sale or refinancing.”
Do Not Mark the Violation Resolved Until These Are Confirmed
- Correct property and BIN confirmed
- DOB NOW searched
- BIS searched
- OATH and CityPay searched
- HPD Online searched when residential
- Issuing agency identified
- Violation class recorded
- Hearing and cure dates recorded
- Required permits obtained
- Corrective work completed
- Required inspections passed
- OATH penalty paid or hearing resolved
- DOB civil penalty paid when applicable
- Certificate of Correction approved
- HPD certification approved when applicable
- Public status shows dismissed, resolved or closed
NYC Building Violation Help and Agency Contacts
NYC Department of Buildings Customer Service Map
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM, except holidays.
Call 212-393-2550 before visiting because some violation matters require a different unit or borough office.
Open the Correct NYC Violation Search or Resolution Tool
NYC Building Violation Search FAQs
Where do I search NYC Department of Buildings violations?
Search both the DOB NOW Public Portal and the Buildings Information System. DOB NOW contains newer filings and compliance records, while BIS contains historical jobs, complaints, DOB violations and many OATH/ECB records.
Can I search NYC building violations by address?
Yes. Select the borough and enter the legal property address. For stronger results, repeat the search using the property’s borough-block-lot combination or Building Identification Number.
How do I know whether a DOB violation is open in BIS?
An open DOB violation appears without an asterisk next to its number. A dismissed DOB violation is displayed with an asterisk, such as V*7052-18P.
Is an ECB violation the same as an OATH summons?
ECB violations are now referred to as OATH summonses. They are adjudicated through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings and may involve a hearing, cure option, default, judgment and monetary penalty.
Does paying an NYC building violation close it?
No. Payment and correction are separate. The summons or violation can remain open until DOB or HPD accepts the required proof of correction or the summons is dismissed at a hearing.
How do I submit a Certificate of Correction for a DOB OATH summons?
Log in to DOB NOW with an NYC.ID account, open DOB NOW: Safety, select Violations & Notices of Deficiency and start a Certificate of Correction Review Request using the summons number.
Where do I search apartment or housing-maintenance violations?
Use HPD Online. It contains housing complaints, HPD violations, property-registration information, charges, litigation and certain orders or vacate information.
What should I do if I missed an OATH hearing?
Review the default decision immediately. You may pay the penalty or request a new hearing. OATH currently states that a reopening request received within 75 days of the missed hearing date is generally granted, subject to its rules.
Can open DOB violations affect a property sale or refinancing?
Yes. DOB states that open violations appear in property title searches and can prevent issuance of new or amended Certificates of Occupancy or Letters of Completion. They can also create sale, lending and refinancing problems.
How do I get a copy of an old DOB violation?
Contact the DOB unit that issued the violation. DOB lists an $8 processing fee for one copy of each violation and $5 for each additional duplicate. NYC OpenRecords is another official option.
Official Information Used for This Guide
Building-Department.org is an independent informational guide and is not the NYC Department of Buildings, OATH or HPD.
This page was checked against the official DOB NOW Public Portal, Buildings Information System, DOB violation and OATH summons guidance, CityPay, HPD Online, HPD violation-clearing guidance, Certificate of Occupancy instructions, NYC311 and the DOB contact directory.
Last verified: July 22, 2026.
Agency records update separately and may not change at the same time. Recheck every relevant system and obtain professional or legal advice for property transactions, hearings, illegal conversions, vacate orders or hazardous conditions.
Khushboo Bobade is a public records researcher and editorial writer specializing in government service documentation and construction permit systems.
Her research focuses on explaining building permits, inspection procedures, zoning regulations, and public permit records maintained by local government building departments across the United States.
Professional profile: View LinkedIn Profile
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