Ever filed a permit, paid the fees, hired licensed contractors, only to get blindsided by a violation you didn’t even know existed? You’re not alone. Construction site violations in NYC can hit fast and hit hard. What makes it worse? Most of them are public, trackable, and preventable—but only if you know where to look and what to look for.
The city doesn’t make it easy. Different agencies. Different systems. Confusing interfaces. Outdated portals. Delayed updates.
You either keep up, or you rack up fines and risk stop-work orders that can stall entire projects. This guide breaks it down. You’ll walk away knowing exactly how to track violations before they cost you.
Here’s what you’ll get from this guide:
- Where construction site violations come from in NYC
- The difference between DOB, ECB, HPD, and FDNY violation types
- How to look up open violations by address, permit number, or BIN
- Which official portals must you check, and what do they miss
- How to read violation codes, statuses, and what they actually mean
- How ViolationWatch simplifies and automates the entire process
If you’ve ever lost time—or money—trying to track down a violation… you’re in the right place. Let’s show you how to take control.
Why Do Construction Site Violations Keep Showing Up in NYC
Construction violations in NYC don’t come out of nowhere. They come from agency inspections, triggered by complaints, patterns, or routine checks. And the list of agencies that can issue them? Long. If you’re working in New York City, your site is always under someone’s lens—whether you know it or not.
Let’s break it down.
1. Department of Buildings (DOB)
This is the primary enforcement agency for construction-related activity. DOB inspectors show up to verify that work matches approved plans, that permits are posted properly, and that licensed trades are doing the work. If anything’s off—missing paperwork, unsafe scaffolding, unregistered workers—expect a violation.
DOB can issue two major types:
- OATH/ECB Violations — These require a hearing and may lead to penalties or stop-work orders.
- DOB Violations (non-OATH) — These are administrative, still serious, and still publicly visible.
DOB also issues work without a permit violations, which carry steep fines and can halt the entire site.
2. FDNY (Fire Department)
FDNY inspections are especially aggressive when it comes to temporary fire protection setups, such as standpipes, sprinklers, and on-site fuel storage. Any mishandling—expired permits, improper signage, blocked egress routes—can bring enforcement.
They also monitor torch use permits, hot work operations, and flammable material storage.
Violations here usually fall under:
- Fire Code Violations
- Commissioner’s Orders
- OATH Summonses for Fire Code Infractions
3. HPD (Housing Preservation and Development)
Construction in or around occupied residential buildings often triggers HPD involvement. If tenants file complaints about noise, dust, or unsafe conditions, HPD inspectors can issue violations related to building maintenance, lead paint disturbance, or tenant harassment.
Even if your project is DOB-compliant, HPD can still hit you for issues that impact habitability.
4. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Construction sites generate dust, runoff, and noise. DEP monitors these environmental impacts. They track:
- Asbestos handling
- Lead-safe work practices
- Air quality standards
- Noise levels during restricted hours
Violations can range from fines to forced shutdowns, especially if there’s a history of complaints.
5. DOT (Department of Transportation)
If your project involves sidewalk sheds, street closures, or curb cuts, DOT steps in. They issue violations when:
- Permits aren’t displayed properly
- Safety barriers are missing
- Work extends beyond permitted hours or areas
These are common on large or high-traffic job sites, especially when public access is affected.
6. DEC, DOH, DSNY, and Others
While less common on standard builds, these agencies still monitor for:
- Hazardous materials (DEC)
- Rodent control and sanitation (DOH)
- Debris and waste handling (DSNY)
One inspection can pull multiple agencies into the mix. And once you’re on their radar, they don’t stop checking.
In NYC, construction violations are a multi-agency issue. You’re not dealing with a single set of rules—you’re juggling a dozen.
What Sets DOB, ECB, HPD, and FDNY Violations Apart
Before you look anything up, you need to know what you’re looking at. Not all violations are the same. They come from different agencies, follow different enforcement tracks, and carry different levels of risk. Some tie directly to safety. Others deal with paperwork or tenant impact. Some need hearings. Others need immediate action.
If you’re trying to understand construction site violations in NYC, this is where things get real. These differences affect how violations are issued, where they’re recorded, and how you resolve them.
Let’s break them down clearly.
DOB Violations (Department of Buildings)
DOB violations are the most common on active construction sites. They’re issued when work deviates from the NYC Building Code, Zoning Resolution, or administrative requirements.
Common DOB violation triggers include:
- Working without a permit
- Unsafe construction conditions
- Unlicensed trades performing regulated work
- Failure to safeguard the site
DOB violations fall into two main groups:
- Standard DOB Violations — These get logged into the Building Information System (BIS). Many are administrative, but still affect your ability to pull future permits or close jobs.
- DOB-OATH/ECB Violations — These require hearings at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). They carry civil penalties and can lead to stop-work orders.
ECB Violations (Now known as OATH Summonses)
Technically, the ECB no longer issues violations—it’s all handled under the OATH system now—but the term still sticks around.
ECB violations were, and OATH summonses still are, the legal vehicle for DOB, FDNY, DEP, and other agencies to impose fines. If you get a DOB-OATH violation, you’re headed to a hearing at OATH—even if your violation originated from another agency.
Key details:
- The issuing agency (like DOB or FDNY) appears on the ticket.
- The enforcement process runs through OATH.
- These violations stay open until the hearing is resolved, penalties are paid, and proof of correction is filed.
They’re serious, visible, and impact your compliance record long-term.
HPD Violations (Housing Preservation and Development)
HPD violations usually pop up when a construction site borders or operates within residential buildings, especially if those buildings are tenant-occupied.
These violations focus less on structural or worksite safety and more on tenant impact and building maintenance.
What HPD flags:
- Excessive noise or dust
- Blocked egress
- Unsafe common areas
- Disturbance of lead paint without proper containment
HPD violations are logged in the agency’s own portal, separate from DOB systems. Some are Class A (non-hazardous), Class B (hazardous), or Class C (immediately hazardous). These classifications affect response time and enforcement severity.
FDNY Violations (Fire Department)
FDNY violations are issued when a construction site fails to meet Fire Code or fire safety inspection requirements.
They can apply to both temporary setups and permanent systems.
Examples include:
- Missing or faulty standpipes
- Unsafe fuel storage
- Improper torch operations
- Expired fire permits
FDNY issues two types:
- Commissioner’s Orders — Directives to correct violations without immediate hearings.
- FDNY-OATH Summonses — These require a hearing and often carry fines.
Both can be accessed through FDNY online records or citywide violation search tools.
Why These Differences Matter for Violation Lookups
Each agency uses a different system. Each tracks violations under a different set of rules. That’s why understanding these categories is critical when you’re trying to look up construction site violations in NYC.
You can’t rely on a single portal or one type of search. You need to know:
- Which agency likely issued the violation
- Whether it’s tied to a hearing
- Where it’s officially recorded
- What does the next step look like
This knowledge shapes how you search, how you interpret the results, and how fast you act. Miss the type, and you miss the risk. Miss the risk, and you pay for it later.
How to Search Violations by Address, Permit Number, or BIN
You’re not guessing—you’re searching. And in NYC, how you search determines what you find.
Looking up construction site violations can’t be one-size-fits-all. You need to match the method to the data you’ve got on hand. Address? Permit number? Building Identification Number (BIN)? Each pulls up different records across different agency portals.
This section walks you through how to run each type of search and what to expect from the results.
Search by Property Address
This is the most common starting point—but also the most error-prone if you don’t input it exactly right.
To pull up violations tied to a specific site:
- Use the DOB Building Information System (BIS) or DOB NOW Public Portal
- Enter the full street number and name (e.g., 123 Main Street)
- Choose the correct borough
- Run the query and access tabs like “Violations,” “Complaints,” and “Permits”
Make sure to check the “OATH/ECB Violation” tab separately—this is where summonses requiring hearings are listed.
If the property has multiple addresses or corner lots, results may be split across multiple records. Search variants manually if needed.
Search by Permit Number
If you’re holding a permit and want to know whether any violations have been issued against it, this method is your best bet.
Steps:
- Open the DOB NOW Public Portal
- Select “Job Filings” or “Permit Applications”
- Input the permit or job number
- Review associated filings, inspections, and violations under that specific permit
This helps filter out violations tied to unrelated work at the same property, especially useful for multi-phase projects or buildings with overlapping contractors.
Search by Building Identification Number (BIN)
Every NYC building has a unique BIN. Using it removes guesswork from inconsistent addresses or naming conventions.
To search:
- Visit the NYC BISWeb or DOB NOW
- Enter the BIN instead of the address
- Pull all filings, permits, violations, and inspections attached to that building’s unique code
This is especially helpful for:
- Large buildings with multiple entrances
- Mixed-use properties where different units are filed under separate addresses
- Avoiding duplicate or partial records
BIN-based searches tend to be more comprehensive and less likely to miss active violations buried in secondary entries.
Knowing how to run a proper search is more than technical know-how. It’s about precision. If you’re managing construction risk in NYC, pulling incomplete or outdated records can derail everything. You need the right method for the data in front of you. Address, permit, and BIN—each gets you different pieces of the picture.
Where to Check for NYC Violations and What Each Portal Misses
Looking up construction site violations in NYC isn’t a one-portal job. Each agency runs its own system. Each portal captures only a slice of the full picture. If you want to avoid missing open violations, you need to check multiple databases, because no single one does it all.
Let’s go through the official portals that matter, what they actually show you, and where they fall short.
DOB Building Information System (BISWeb)
This is the legacy database for DOB records. It’s still active—and still necessary—especially for older buildings and historical violation data.
What it covers:
- Open and closed DOB violations
- Permits and job filings
- Complaints and inspection outcomes
- BIN-based search functionality
What it misses:
- Newer job filings submitted through DOB NOW
- Real-time updates for most OATH/ECB summonses
- FDNY or HPD violations
If your site has any filings from the early 2000s or earlier, this system is non-negotiable.
DOB NOW Public Portal
This is the city’s modern platform for active permits, inspections, and violations. It’s where most filings have been handled since 2016.
What it covers:
- Permits, plans, and inspections from 2016 onward
- Open DOB/OATH violations tied to specific jobs
- Site safety issues logged under active permits
What it misses:
- Legacy data (must cross-check with BISWeb)
- Violations not tied to job filings
- Anything from FDNY, HPD, or DEP
It’s cleaner than BISWeb—but only if your project is fully in DOB NOW.
OATH/ECB Violation Search
This is where all violations that lead to civil hearings are recorded. It centralizes enforcement for DOB, FDNY, DEP, DOT, and others.
What it covers:
- Summons details
- Scheduled hearings
- Fine amounts and outcomes
- Hearing decisions and penalties
What it misses:
- Non-enforcement of DOB violations
- Any administrative-only violations
- Records that haven’t been officially docketed yet
This is where you go to confirm if that “Notice of Violation” came with financial risk.
HPD Violations Portal
If construction activity affects residential tenants, this portal tracks violations tied to maintenance, safety, and tenant complaints.
What it covers:
- Active and closed HPD violations
- Violation classes (A, B, C)
- Property ownership and registration info
What it misses:
- Any DOB, FDNY, or OATH-based violations
- Job-specific enforcement
- Commercial-only buildings not under HPD authority
You’ll want to check here for work in or near multifamily housing, especially if you’re fielding tenant calls.
FDNY Online Records Access
FDNY violations require a separate lookup. These come into play on jobs with fire safety implications—temporary setups, torch use, fuel, and exits.
What it covers:
- Commissioner’s Orders
- FDNY-specific summonses
- Fire Code infractions
- Permit-related issues
What it misses:
- Anything issued by DOB or HPD
- Summonses not yet uploaded to OATH
This system isn’t always up to date, so it’s best used with backup searches through OATH and DOB.
Why This Matters When Searching Violations?
Each portal leaves out pieces. That’s why depending on one alone leads to gaps, sometimes costly ones. You can miss pending hearings, open violations tied to adjacent permits, or entire agency records.
Knowing which portals to check—and how to read what they show—helps you stay ahead, stay compliant, and avoid letting things slip through the cracks.
What Violation Codes and Statuses Actually Tell You
Looking up a construction site violation is only half the job. The harder part is knowing what the codes and statuses actually mean once you find them.
NYC agency systems don’t go out of their way to explain what you’re looking at. Most violations are loaded with abbreviations, acronyms, and unclear language. Misread a code, and you could miss a deadline—or worse, trigger enforcement.
This section strips out the guesswork.
Common Violation Codes You’ll See
Every agency uses its own formatting, but most DOB, FDNY, and OATH violations follow structured patterns. Here’s what to focus on:
- ECB/OATH Violation Number — Example: “38274309M”
A unique number tied to a summons. It’s used to look up hearing status and fines. - Section of Law — Example: “BC 3301.2”
Refers to the exact code you’re alleged to have violated. You can look it up in the Building Code, Fire Code, or Administrative Code. - Infraction Code — This determines the class of violation and its penalty range. Some codes come with mandatory minimums.
- Issuing Officer ID and Inspector Badge — This helps cross-check inspection records, especially if you’re disputing the finding.
The code isn’t just a reference—it’s the legal basis of the violation. If you’re disputing or responding, you need to address that specific section.
Violation Classifications and What They Trigger
Violation status isn’t one-size-fits-all. Status codes show whether you’re facing an open case, a pending hearing, or a resolved issue.
Here’s a breakdown of what they typically mean:
- Open — Still active, no corrective action logged. These are visible to lenders, buyers, and insurers.
- Cured — The condition was corrected before a hearing. Some fines may still apply.
- Dismissed — A hearing took place, and the city closed the case in your favor.
- Default — You missed the hearing. Penalties increase, and you may face enforcement escalation.
- Resolved/Closed — The city accepted the correction and/or payment. No further action needed—but the violation remains on record.
- Active/Pending Hearing — A court date is set. You need to prep documents, a defense, or a mitigation strategy.
Violation statuses affect more than your public record—they determine what steps come next, how fast you need to act, and whether enforcement can escalate.
Why You Can’t Skip This Step?
If you don’t read the code or status correctly, you don’t respond correctly. That creates risk.
You might pay a fine without fixing the condition. You might fix the issue without closing the summons. You might overlook a default judgment that’s already ballooned into additional penalties.
Whether you’re checking one address or managing multiple jobs, reading violation codes properly keeps the process tight and protects your schedule, your budget, and your name.
How to Stop Wasting Hours on Manual Violation Checks
Manual searches get old fast. Multiple portals. Conflicting statuses. Delayed updates. And if you’re juggling more than one property, it turns into a full-time job that slows everything else down.
That’s where ViolationWatch steps in. Instead of jumping between DOB NOW, BISWeb, HPD, and OATH, you plug everything into one platform—and it does the heavy lifting for you.
- One Dashboard, All Agencies: ViolationWatch connects directly to NYC’s enforcement systems across DOB, HPD, Environmental Control Board, FDNY, DEP, DEC, DOH, DOT, DSNY, and DOF. No more switching tabs or cross-referencing codes. You track every violation across every agency in one interface, organized by property, permit, or BIN.
- Live Violation Alerts: You don’t have to check anything manually. The platform sends instant notifications the moment a new violation hits the system—whether it’s tied to your site, your portfolio, or any building you monitor. No delays. No blind spots. You act fast and avoid penalties before they stack up.
- Automated Tracking That Doesn’t Miss: Violation statuses update automatically. When a hearing is scheduled, when a fine is issued, when an inspector logs new notes—you see it reflected without lifting a finger. This means fewer missed deadlines, fewer last-minute scrambles, and fewer compliance gaps. ViolationWatch pulls directly from the New York City Department databases, giving you accurate, up-to-date details without relying on guesswork or lagging uploads.
- Built-In Document Management: Upload correction proofs, inspection reports, and compliance letters directly into the dashboard. Everything stays attached to the right violation, so you’re not digging through emails or file folders when it’s time to close a case.
- Scales With Your Workload: Whether you’re watching one site or fifty, ViolationWatch adapts. Add new properties. Filter by urgency. Run reports for investors, legal teams, or project managers—all from one place. And if you hit a complex issue? You’re backed by a team of compliance professionals who’ve seen it before and know how to move it forward. And because it actively monitors NYC building violations, you’re not left wondering whether a missed notice will turn into a stop-work order.
If your goal is to actually resolve violations—and not just look them up—this is how you shift from reaction mode to full control. The system was built for pros working inside NYC Department enforcement trenches, where open DOB violations aren’t a warning—they’re a liability.
Looking Up Construction Site Violations in NYC Doesn’t Have to Be a Grind
You’ve got the map now. Whether you’re trying to avoid fines, prepare for a sale, or keep a job site moving without interruption, knowing how and where to look for violations puts you ahead of the game. You don’t need to second-guess the data or waste hours chasing incomplete records.
Every step we’ve covered gives you more control. More speed. Fewer surprises.
Here’s what we covered:
- Where construction site violations come from across DOB, HPD, FDNY, and other agencies
- What sets DOB, ECB, HPD, and FDNY violations apart—and how they affect your next move
- How to search by address, permit number, or BIN without pulling the wrong records
- Which official portals are required, and what do they leave out
- How to decode violation numbers and status labels so you don’t miss deadlines
- Why manual tracking fails at scale—and how automation fills the gap
If you’re serious about staying ahead of NYC construction violations, manual searches won’t cut it for long. ViolationWatch brings everything together, so you can spend less time reacting and more time resolving.