Most Common NYC Building Code Violations (and How to Remove Them)

You got the notice. Your stomach dropped. Now you’re staring at paperwork from HPD or DOB, and the clock’s already ticking on fines. Here’s what most property owners miss: building code violations don’t start when you get the notice. They start the moment a tenant picks up the phone. By the time that letter hits your desk, you’re already behind.

The good news? Most violations follow predictable patterns. Fix them fast, document everything, and you can wrap this up before fines multiply. Ignore them, and you’re looking at escalating penalties that turn a $500 problem into a $5,000 headache.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What happens when someone files a complaint – from case assignment to violation issuance
• The 5 most common building code violations – mold and pests, missing detectors, heat and hot water failures, accessibility issues, and unsafe locks
• How to remove each violation type – step-by-step resolution processes that actually work

This isn’t about theory. We’ll break each violation down and show you exactly how to get it off your record. You’ll know which agency issued it, what they’re looking for, and how to prove you fixed it. Let’s sort this out.

What Happens After Someone Files a Complaint

A tenant calls 311. A neighbor spots something off. An inspector walks by during routine rounds. That’s all it takes. In a city with a million buildings, complaints move through a system that allows the department commissioner issues directives, verifies proper permits, and can quickly issue violations tied to residential or commercial space. Missing paperwork, unsafe work, or environmental risks push cases forward fast.

Here’s how the process unfolds from filing to formal violation.

The Agency Assigns a Case Number

The moment a complaint comes in, the relevant agency logs it into its system. HPD handles housing conditions. DOB covers structural and construction issues within the construction industry. FDNY steps in for fire safety concerns. Each complaint gets a unique case number.

That number tracks everything: inspection dates, findings, correspondence, and resolution status. You’ll use it to handle violations, track open violations, and prepare any defense or compliance plan.

Property Owner Notification

The agency sends you a notice. It arrives by mail, sometimes within days of the complaint. This notice includes:

• The complaint details
• Your case number
• The inspection window
• What the inspector will check

This stage often highlights risks like missing permits, lack of window guards, problems with lead-based paint, or conflicts with the zoning resolution. These issues can leave properties immediately hazardous and trigger pressure for immediate action.

Don’t wait for the inspection to act. Start organizing documents, confirm proper permits, and prepare for code compliance before the first hearing date arrives.

Inspector Verification

An inspector shows up to verify the complaint. They focus on safety, legality, and structural integrity. Their role centers on identifying issues that severely affects life or compromise safe occupancy.

• The reported issue
• Related code violations in the same area
• Conditions that demand immediate corrective action

Inspectors have the authority to expand their scope. A complaint about heat might uncover missing smoke detectors. One violation can multiply fast.

Violation Issuance

If the inspector confirms the issue, the agency issues a formal violation. This document lists the breach, timeline, and enforcement path. Authorities may issue violations that require owners to take immediate action to restore safety and maintain code compliance.

• Class A gives you 90 days.
• Class B gives you 30 days.
• Class C is hazardous and demands correction within 24 hours.

Failure to comply after the first hearing date increases risk, escalates fines, and leaves properties vulnerable to extended enforcement. Acting early protects your property, limits exposure, and keeps compliance on track.

The 5 Most Common Building Code Violations

Some violations show up more than others. These five account for the majority of complaints filed across NYC properties.

1. Mold and Pests

• Classification: Class B (Non-Hazardous) or Class C (Hazardous, depending on severity)
• Correction Timeline: 30 days (Class B) or 24 hours (Class C)
• Handling Agency: HPD

Mold and pest infestations make properties unlivable quickly. Mold grows from water leaks, poor ventilation, or humidity. Pests move in through cracks, gaps, and poor sanitation. HPD classifies these violations based on severity. Visible mold covering large areas or active rodent infestations typically trigger Class C violations. Smaller issues fall under Class B.

• Why This Violation Happens: Water damage that doesn’t get addressed. Leaky pipes behind walls. Windows that don’t seal properly. Tenants report the problem, but repairs drag out for weeks. Pests follow similar patterns. Gaps around pipes give mice entry points. Trash accumulates in common areas. One unit’s problem becomes the building’s problem.
• What Inspectors Look For: Inspectors check for visible mold growth, water stains, and moisture sources. They look at ventilation systems and assess whether humidity levels support mold growth. For pests, they scan for droppings, nesting materials, entry points, and signs of active infestation. They’ll check common areas, basements, and complained-about units.

2. Absent Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors

• Classification: Class C (Hazardous)
• Correction Timeline: 24 hours
• Handling Agency: HPD and FDNY

Missing or non-functional detectors are life-safety violations. NYC requires at least one smoke detector in every bedroom and on every floor. Carbon monoxide detectors go in any dwelling with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages.

• Why This Violation Happens: Batteries die. Tenants remove detectors. Property owners forget to replace expired units (detectors have 10-year lifespans). New construction gets occupied before final detector installation.
• What Inspectors Look For: Inspectors test detectors during visits. They verify placement meets code requirements. They check expiration dates stamped on device backs. Missing detectors in required locations trigger automatic violations. Non-functional detectors get the same treatment.

3. Failing to Provide Adequate Heat and Hot Water

• Classification: Class C (Hazardous)
• Correction Timeline: 24 hours
• Handling Agency: HPD

NYC’s heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. During this period, buildings must maintain specific temperatures. From 6 AM to 10 PM, the indoor temperature must hit 68°F when the outside temperature drops below 55°F.

Overnight, indoor temperature must stay at 62°F regardless of outdoor conditions. Hot water must reach 120°F at the tap, available 365 days a year.

• Why This Violation Happens: Boilers fail. Thermostats malfunction. Fuel deliveries get delayed. Radiators need bleeding, but nobody does it. Sometimes landlords cut heat to save money (which is illegal and carries steep penalties).
• What Inspectors Look For: Inspectors measure actual temperatures with calibrated thermometers. They run hot water and check the temperature at the tap. They inspect heating systems for obvious malfunctions. They’ll also review maintenance records if available. Pattern complaints about heat trigger closer scrutiny.

4. Lack of Accessibility

• Classification: Class B (Non-Hazardous)
• Correction Timeline: 30 days
• Handling Agency: DOB

Buildings with three or more units built after 1987 must meet accessibility standards. This includes wheelchair-accessible entrances, common areas, and at least 5% of units meeting full accessibility requirements. Older buildings have different standards, but still need accessible routes where feasible.

• Why This Violation Happens: Renovations happen without accessibility updates. Ramps deteriorate. Accessible bathrooms get converted. Property owners don’t understand which accessibility standards apply to their building type and construction date.
• What Inspectors Look For: Inspectors measure ramp slopes, door widths, and clearances. They check bathroom grab bars and assess whether accessible routes connect properly. They verify compliance with the specific code version that applied when the building was constructed or last renovated.

5. Door and Window Locks That Require a Key to Exit

• Classification: Class B (Non-Hazardous) or Class C (Hazardous, depending on egress impact)
• Correction Timeline: 30 days (Class B) or 24 hours (Class C)
• Handling Agency: HPD and FDNY

Exit doors must open from the inside without a key. This applies to apartment doors, common area exits, and any door in an egress path. Windows serving as secondary egress points must open easily without tools or keys. Failure to fix a violating condition within the window often leads to missed deadlines and a standard penalty that escalates into additional penalties. Quick action helps you avoid fines and maintain compliance in the public interest.

• Why This Violation Happens: Security concerns lead property owners to install double-cylinder deadbolts. Tenants add their own locks. Window locks get painted shut or replaced with keyed versions. These issues appear across a significant number of properties, especially where recent construction activity altered egress routes or temporary security was added on a construction site.
• What Inspectors Look For: Inspectors test every lock on exit doors. They check whether windows in required egress locations open properly. They verify that no special knowledge, keys, or tools are needed to exit quickly. Any door in an egress path that requires a key from the inside triggers a violation. Class C classification applies when the obstruction affects primary egress routes or multiple units. After repairs, you must certify the correction promptly to clear the record and prevent enforcement from compounding.

How to Remove Building Code Violations?

Fixing violations isn’t optional. The longer they sit, the more they cost. Each violation type has a specific resolution path that satisfies agency requirements and clears your record. Here’s how to address each one.

Removing Mold and Pest Violations

Mold and pest problems require professional remediation and proper documentation. HPD won’t sign off on surface-level fixes.

Steps to clear the violation:

• Hire a licensed remediation contractor – HPD requires certified professionals for mold removal and pest control
• Address the root cause – fix leaks, improve ventilation, seal entry points before treating symptoms
• Document the entire process – take photos before, save all contractor invoices, and take a photo of completed work
• Submit proof of correction – file your Certificate of Correction with HPD through the agency portal or by mail
• Request re-inspection – HPD schedules a follow-up visit to verify the work meets code standards

Keep copies of everything. If the inspector finds recurring issues, you’ll need to prove you addressed the original problem properly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t attempt DIY mold removal for violations. HPD requires licensed contractors with proper certifications. Using unlicensed help delays your case and racks up additional fines. For pests, one-time treatments rarely work. Set up ongoing pest control contracts that address both elimination and prevention.

Removing Detector Violations

Missing or broken detectors are the fastest violations to fix. You can wrap these up in hours if you move quickly.

Steps to clear the violation:

• Purchase code-compliant detectors – use photoelectric smoke detectors and electrochemical CO detectors that meet NYC Fire Code requirements
• Install detectors in required locations – place smoke detectors in every bedroom, hallway, and floor; add CO detectors near sleeping areas and fuel-burning appliances
• Test each unit – verify functionality before the inspector returns
• Replace expired detectors – check manufacturing dates and swap out units older than 10 years
• File your Certificate of Correction – submit documentation to HPD or FDNY, depending on which agency issued the violation
• Schedule re-inspection – arrange for an inspector to verify proper installation and functionality

Hardwired detectors with battery backup are preferred for rental properties. They prevent the “dead battery” excuse that leads to repeat violations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t install detectors without reading placement requirements. Smoke detectors need specific mounting heights and distances from corners. CO detectors have their own rules based on appliance locations.

Battery-only detectors work for owner-occupied homes but create liability issues in rentals. Tenants remove batteries, and you’re responsible when violations occur.

Removing Heat and Hot Water Violations

Heat and hot water violations hit you with daily fines until corrected. Speed matters here more than anywhere else.

Steps to clear the violation:

• Call a licensed plumber or heating contractor immediately – Class C violations require same-day response
• Diagnose the problem – identify whether it’s boiler failure, thermostat issues, fuel supply, or distribution problems
• Complete repairs – restore heat to code-required temperatures and hot water to 120°F minimum
• Test throughout the building – verify temperatures in complained-about units and spot-check others
• Submit your Certificate of Correction – file with HPD as soon as temperatures meet requirements
• Provide temperature logs if requested – some cases require documented proof that temperatures stayed compliant for 24-48 hours

For boiler replacements, you’ll need DOB permits and sign-offs. Factor this into your timeline when calculating fines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t file correction certificates before verifying temperatures in all units. Inspectors often check multiple apartments during re-inspection. One cold unit keeps the violation active. Temporary fixes that restore heat for inspection but fail days later create bigger problems. Inspectors flag properties with repeat heat violations for increased scrutiny.

Removing Accessibility Violations

Accessibility violations require construction work that meets specific code measurements. Hire contractors who specialize in ADA and NYC accessibility standards.

Steps to clear the violation:

• Review the exact code section cited – different building types and construction dates have different requirements
• Hire an architect or accessibility consultant – they’ll design corrections that meet current standards
• Obtain necessary permits – DOB requires permits for most accessibility modifications
• Complete construction work – install ramps, widen doorways, modify bathrooms, or whatever the violation specifies
• Pass DOB inspection – schedule inspections for permitted work and obtain sign-offs
• Submit your Certificate of Correction – file with DOB, along with inspection reports and photos
• Request final re-inspection – DOB verifies compliance and closes the violation

These violations take longer to resolve than others. Start the permit process immediately to avoid compounding fines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t build ramps or modify entrances without permits. Unpermitted accessibility work creates new DOB violations on top of existing ones. Generic “ADA-compliant” products don’t always meet NYC’s stricter requirements. Verify everything against local code before purchasing materials.

Removing Unsafe Lock Violations

Lock violations are straightforward hardware swaps. You can handle these in an afternoon with the right supplies.

Steps to clear the violation:

• Replace all keyed locks on exit doors – install single-cylinder deadbolts or panic hardware that opens from inside without keys
• Fix or replace window locks – ensure windows in egress locations open easily without tools
• Test every lock – verify you can exit quickly without searching for keys or special knowledge
• Document all replacements – photograph new hardware and save receipts
• Submit your Certificate of Correction – file with HPD or FDNY, depending on the issuing agency
• Schedule re-inspection – inspectors will test locks themselves during the follow-up visit

For buildings with security concerns, consider locks with thumbturns on the inside and key cylinders on the outside. They meet code and maintain security.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t install electronic locks that require codes or apps to exit. Code requires a simple mechanical operation that works during power outages. Replacing only the complained-about lock while leaving others keyed creates repeat violations. Inspectors check all exit doors during re-inspection, not the originally reported one.

Ready to Stay Ahead of Common NYC Buildings Violations With ViolationWatch?

You can avoid complaints altogether by catching issues before tenants pick up the phone. ViolationWatch monitors your properties with an advanced AI-powered engine that tracks violations across every NYC agency, ensuring no violation notice slips through the cracks.

Our dashboard sends you alerts the moment new violations appear. You get instant notifications via SMS, email, and WhatsApp for:

• DOB violations
• HPD complaints
• FDNY citations
• DOHMH findings
• CityPay updates
• And more

This level of oversight helps you stay informed about common building violations, active violations, and outstanding violations tied to building owners across New York City. When such violations issued by city agencies like the Department of Buildings (DOB), the NYC department, or the environmental control board appear, the system flags them before they reach the stage of unresolved violations or trigger automatic fines.

Wondering how violations get issued or how to respond to one? We’ll walk you through it, including how local law defines compliance, how civil penalties and penalties imposed add up, and when a missed hearing date results in a default judgment with default penalties that can escalate to the maximum penalty or even impact public safety.

Our team helps property owners manage everything from early detection to legal representation, especially when risks include tax lien sales or repeat enforcement actions. This proactive approach protects your assets from mounting costs linked to unresolved violations and reduces exposure to long-term financial consequences.

Need to check your property right now? Use our Free NYC Violation Lookup Tool to confirm any outstanding violations, review violations issued, and understand potential civil penalties before enforcement escalates. Stop scrambling after violations arrive. Set up monitoring that keeps you ahead of problems before they turn into costly compliance failures or trigger severe action from regulatory authorities.

Stop Chasing Violations. Start Preventing Them

You’ve got the playbook now. You know which violations hit properties hardest, how agencies classify them, and what it takes to clear each one off your record. Here’s what separates property owners who stay ahead from those who spend every month putting out fires:

• Act before complaints arrive – fix detectors, check locks, and address mold early instead of waiting for 311 calls that trigger inspections
• Document everything obsessively – photos, receipts, and contractor certifications turn contested violations into quick dismissals
• Know your timelines cold – Class C violations cost you daily fines, while Class B gives you breathing room to plan proper fixes
• Hire licensed professionals for mold and accessibility work – DIY attempts and unlicensed contractors extend resolution timelines and multiply costs
• Test everything before filing corrections – one missed detector or cold radiator keeps violations active and fines accumulating

The pattern is clear. Reactive property management costs more, takes longer, and creates tenant friction. Proactive monitoring catches problems while they’re still cheap to fix.

That’s where ViolationWatch fits. Our platform tracks violations across DOB, HPD, FDNY, and every other NYC agency before they pile up. You get instant alerts the moment something hits your property’s record. No more surprise inspections. No more scrambling to figure out which agency issued what violation.Set up monitoring once. Let the system watch your portfolio. Focus on running your properties instead of chasing paperwork.